In a recent interview with Goldmine, legendary drummer Marky Ramone reminisced about the late Eddie Van Halen and his admiration for The Ramones, the iconic punk rock band that shook the world with their raw sound and relentless energy. This revelation comes as a surprise to many, as the connection between the two groundbreaking bands was not common knowledge.
The Ramones’ seemingly simplistic but, in actuality, very challenging playing style inspired countless bands in towns they visited during their tours. As the interviewer recalled, after witnessing The Ramones perform live, many local musicians would feel encouraged to form their own bands, believing they could replicate the band’s sound. However, the complexity behind The Ramones’ music was often underestimated, as their unique style and technique proved difficult to imitate.
The relationship between Eddie and The Ramones was first formed when they shared the stage at a concert. In the interview, Marky recounted Eddie’s words about the band’s playing and highlighted the subtleties of their technique that are no small feat; more specifically, after an hour, the burn was real.
Marky Ramone’s words about Eddie Van Halen’s confession about the band read:
“Eddie Van Halen said, ‘Try playing The Ramones for an hour, and your hand will fall off.’ We had the opportunity to play a show together. The hard part is the 8th note-down stroke. A lot of punk bands tried to play it, and they went up and down. That is not what we did; the Ramones were continuous down strokes, and it created this wall of sound. We were grateful that other bands attempted what we were doing, but no one came close to what we did.”
Marky Ramone’s recollection of Van Halen’s admiration for The Ramones offers a fascinating insight into the mutual respect between musicians from different genres. It just goes to show that the complexity and talent behind The Ramones’ music should not be overlooked or underestimated. As the years go by, their influence on the music world remains undeniable, and their ability to inspire new generations of musicians is a testament to their lasting legacy.
