On August 16th and 17th, the NYC Ferry in collaboration with Rhino Records launched a series of Ramones-themed ferry rides. These rides came in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Ramones’ CBGB debut show.
The Ramones were founded in Forest Hills, Queens in 1974. From the start, their music marked a stark shift from 1970s rock conventions. With Johnny Ramone’s lightning fast guitar lines, and Joey Ramone’s sneering vocals, the band helped invent the fledgling genre of Punk Rock. Perhaps the most important date of the band’s career was August 16th, 1974. On that day, the four members made their stage debut at CBGB in Bowery, Manhattan. Donning ripped jeans and leather jackets, the band exuded a coolness that went on to revolutionize rock music.
Following this performance, the punk scene was born. From that point forward, CBGB went on to sit at the heart of New York’s punk music circle. For the next few decades, the band became a regular stop for Blondie, Talking Heads, Joan Jett, and more. The Ramones themselves returned to CBGB over 70 times throughout their career.
The impact of the Ramones’ August 16th has not been forgotten. According to Rolling Stone, afterwards the Ramones “inspired more bands than anybody since the Beatles.” The New York Times added that their influence “has been incalculable.”
To celebrate this revolutionary moment in punk music, Rhino Records partnered with the NYC Ferry for themed boat rides. In homage to the Ramones’ classic “Rockaway Beach,” three ferries out of Pier 11 took up Ramones theming. These ferries traveled the “Rockaway Route” from Manhattan’s Pier 11 to Brooklyn’s Sunset Park and ultimately Rockaway Beach.
Along this route, the ferries featured Ramones’ themed decor and music. Additionally the cruises offered a raffle for a Ramones prize pack, sticker giveaways, and samples of locally-owned Rockaway Soda. At the ferry’s endpoint, the Rockaway Beach Bakery offered riders special Ramones-themed sweets. Among the offerings were “Ra-scones” and “Now I Wanna Sip Some (Cold) Brew.”
In addition to these cruises, Rhino Records has planned a number of vinyl releases to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary. In September, Vinyl Me Please will release an exclusive pink vinyl pressing of 1977’s Rocket to Russia. Upon its release, the album helped spawn timeless classics like “Rockaway Beach” and “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker.” The 2024 repressing features an exclusive liner notes booklet and print of the band. Rhino is also releasing limited editions of Too Tough to Die and Road to Ruin on exclusive color vinyl. These vinyl releases go on sale on August 30th, at the link here.
Comments are closed.