The Ramones were one of the most influential rock bands in music history, and they pioneered a straightforward, stripped-down sound that became known as punk rock. In 2002, The Ramones were inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in a Spin Magazine readers poll they were voted the second greatest rock and roll band ever, trailing only the Beatles. Although most of the band members have passed away, their legacy lives on, and they continue to have a legion of dedicated fans.
In an interview, Joey Ramone stated that the Ramones liked the Bay City Rollers‘ hit song “Saturday Night“, and that they set out to imitate its catchy, sing along quality, inspiring the “Hey-ho, let’s go” chant on their first single, “Blitzkrieg Bop.” Here are the Ramones performing “Blitzkrieg Bop” in the cult film “Rock & Roll High School“:
The Ramones have spawned many “tribute bands” around the world, such as “The Gabba Heys” from Sweden, and “The Pinheads,” from Germany. The Ramonas are an all-female Ramones tribute band, from the USA, and they contributed the song “Santa’s Got a GTO,” to a 1997 benefit album of the same name (Dionysys Records 123353). The subtitle to this album is “Rodney on the ROQ’s Fav X-mas Songs” and it was assembled by Rodney Bingenheimer, a legendary DJ from KROQ in Los Angeles, and subject of the documentary movie “Mayor of the Sunset Strip.”
LISTEN TO SONG:
DOWNLOAD MP3:
The_Ramonas_-_Santas_Got_A_GTO.mp3
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The RAMONAS from the USA (San Francisco) recorded Santa’s Got a GTO in 1991 (with helium tanks and all!).
Hello - Major error here! The RAMONAS FROM SAN FRANCISCO, THE FIRST ALL-FEMALE RAMONES COVER BAND (1987-1992) RECORDED THIS SONG, “SANTA’S GOT A GTO” on Rodney On The Roq’s Xmas compilation album.
Please make a note of it.
Thank you very much.
Suzee Ramona
also, see:
http://www.myspace.com/ramonassanfrancisco
and
http://www.myspace.com/rodneyontheroq
My wife, Kitze Ramona, sings the lead vocal on that song, SANTA’S GOT A GTO, and Kitze is a native Californian. Nothing to do with the UK.
The Ramonas started in San Francisco about 1987, if memory serves well, and they were the first Ramones tribute band on this planet, I believe. They played around the Bay Area thru 1992.
Much later, Rodney heard the song and liked it so much he asked if he could put it on his comp, and he made it the opening track!
The UK Ramonas came later, and unfortunately didn’t do their homework in terms of already-used-band-names. However, I hear they sound swell, and personally, I’d encourage anybody to start a Ramones tribute band for the pure fun involved.
At any rate, The Ramonas would appreciate it if you would update your website for accuracy.
All the Best from the SF Bay Area,
Matt