WATCH: Ramones Early Days at CBGB
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 30: A general View outside of CBGB's bar where the Ramones once played. The corner of E. 2nd St. and the Bowery will be renamed in memory of the late punk musician Joey Ramone November 30, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Teresa Lee/Getty Images)
On August 16, 1974, The Ramones played their first gig at CBGB in New York City. Check out some video of one of their earlier performances.
Although The Ramones first set at CBGB was 12 minutes long they made quite an impression. They played over 50 gigs at CBGB in 1974 and before long became even more synonymous with the venue than groups like Blondie, Talking Heads and Patti Smith. The Ramones gave birth to the punk sound and they inspired many music fans who didn’t know more than a few chords to grab their instrument, find some friends and start a band. Bono, of U2, explained The Ramones influence on U2 to Time Magazine below.
Bono expounds upon how The Ramones and their spirit encouraged U2 to start a band.
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