Welcome to an up-close and personal trip down memory lane, to the time when punk rock shook the music scene, and the Ramones ruled the stage. It’s the summer of 1976. London is in the throes of one of its hottest summers on record, and the American punk band the Ramones is about to add fuel to the heatwave.
An Unexpected Journey: The Ramones Tour in Europe
The Ramones had just released their first album in April 1976. This band from the grimy corners of New York’s CBGB’s club was yet to break into mainstream fame. But they’d caught the attention of Seymour Stein, the visionary who had signed them to Sire Records. In a move that surprised many, including the band members themselves, Stein booked them to play at London’s iconic Roundhouse in July.
Their manager at the time, Danny Fields, recalls his disbelief. The Roundhouse, with a capacity of 3,300 people, was a world away from the gritty underground clubs they were used to playing. The city itself was more than 3,400 miles away from their home ground. And they were heading to it with no idea of what to expect.
A Heatwave of Punk Rock in London
London, in July 1976, was near its boiling point for multiple reasons. The sweltering heat was one. And the other was the undercurrent of punk music that was steadily growing. As Fields shares, the atmosphere was rife with anticipation, unknowingly on the cusp of a music revolution.
The Ramones were set to play at the Roundhouse for two nights. The audience was packed with young, rebellious Londoners – some of whom would go on to form their own bands, ignited by the raw energy of punk rock. Future members of soon-to-be iconic bands like the Sex Pistols, the Clash, the Damned, and the Pretenders were among the crowd, soaking in the spectacle that was the Ramones.
Behind the Scenes: Candid Moments Captured
Through Fields’ personal collection of photographs, we get a glimpse of the band off stage during this pivotal time. The black and white images capture the raw, unfiltered essence of the band, providing a rare insight into life on the road.
Whether it’s a photograph of lead singer Joey Ramone, his tall, lanky frame hunched over in conversation, or an image of guitarist Johnny Ramone leaning against a brick wall, the band’s unassuming and nonchalant nature is beautifully captured. These photographs showcase a band at the brink of international stardom, yet blissfully unaffected by it.
