The closest things to an influence would be people like Charlie Watts or Al Jackson. But I didn't really listen to drummers; I basically played what I thought was needed for the Ramones. Tommy Ramone More Quotes by Tommy Ramone More Quotes From Tommy Ramone It wasn't just music in The Ramones: it was an idea. It was bringing back a whole feel that was missing in rock music – it was a whole push outwards to say something new and different. Originally it was just an artistic type of thing; finally I felt it was something that was good enough for everybody. Tommy Ramone rocks missing ideas One of the reasons that the Ramones were so unique and original was that they were four original, unique people. Tommy Ramone four unique people Eliminate the unnecessary and focus on the substance. Tommy Ramone unnecessary focus substance We play short songs and short sets for people who don't have a lot of spare time. Tommy Ramone play song people When you get talented people together with egos, this is kind of what happens. Tommy Ramone ego together people Johnny Ramone's autobiography is a no holds barred, straight-forward book written in a no-nonsense style that is Johnny personified. His story is written in his own actual words, so the reader gets an insight into what made him the unique, charismatic and exciting individual that he was. It also gives a great view of The Ramones from Johnny's perspective. Tommy Ramone unique views book Most of the people who are given these Rock'n'roll Hall of Fame things sell millions of records, so it's kind of like a trophy for them. Tommy Ramone trophies rocks people The Ramones were not about having a good time. The closest thing probably was maybe Joey and Dee Dee might have had some good times, but it was almost like a work ethic. We were out there to basically to get the fans to see the Ramones. Tommy Ramone good good-times work time In the early days, I was living with Dee Dee for a little while, and he was never around then, either. He would always be out. He was kind of an energetic guy who was always on the run. Tommy Ramone never run always living Most of the people who are given these Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame things sell millions of records, so it's kind of like a trophy for them. But for the Ramones, it really was a symbolic gesture of, 'Yes, you guys are special and are important to rock n' roll.' So in that sense, the Roll Hall of Fame served its purpose. Tommy Ramone you important purpose people Even from the very beginning, the type of fans the Ramones generated were the kind of people who wound up running industry, who became professors and scientists. Our staunchest fans were always a little bit more on the outside, the type of people who didn't fit in with society. Tommy Ramone beginning society fans people It was never fun being in the Ramones, which is the saddest thing of all, cause it shoulda been fun. It was probably fun when we played Performance Studio, and maybe some of the early gigs at CBGB's. But the Ramones were the type of group that had a bizarre mindset. Being in the band was so cut off from reality. Tommy Ramone performance never fun reality I was born in Budapest, Hungary, and moved to the United States in 1956. It was during the Hungarian Revolution when Russian tanks rolled into Budapest, and my family - me, my brother, and my parents - escaped over the border to Austria. We just took whatever we could carry. It was perilous, but we made it across. Tommy Ramone parents me family brother I've been a loner all my life, so it didn't bother me that Hungarian was my first language and that I had to learn English. I had a pretty heavy accent in junior high school and would say things like 'wolume control' instead of 'volume control.' Tommy Ramone my-life me life school In high school, I got into folk music, and I taught myself guitar. And when The Beatles came out, I got an electric guitar. Tommy Ramone myself guitar music school Groupies are just very enthusiastic fans, that's all. Tommy Ramone very just enthusiastic fans There's been rumors going round. I never confirm any of them. Tommy Ramone round rumors going never The Ramones are the type of group where it took the world, like, 30 years to catch up with them. Because we were kind of breaking new ground, coming up with new ideas and different concepts which kind of blazed a trail for a whole new music scene, really. Tommy Ramone new music world ideas The first record was basically a quick, fast record. The second record, we were going for more of a poppier sound - like a heavy pop sound. For 'Rocket to Russia,' we'd sort of reached our pinnacle. We'd gotten really good at what we were doing, so that's like my favorite record - that's a really good record. It's just great from beginning to end. Tommy Ramone end beginning great good The drums were new to me; I was just playing what was in my head. I was a guitar player originally - so on the drums, I just played what was in my head rather than caring too much about what others were playing. And in that way, I came up with a simple but unique style. Tommy Ramone me style guitar simple
