Although none of the records the band made during the '80s and '90s really matched the power of classics like Leave Home and Rocket To Russia and they started going through a lot of different members (particularly at the drum kit), the footage in this DVD shows the band remained a formidable live act right up to the end. To the members' credit, they also never changed the basic Ramones formula of loud, fast, and uncompromising punk rock played at breakneck speed.
Most of the Ramones are of course now dead, and for that reason there is also a touch of sadness involved in watching this DVD. The band's influence on the future direction of rock and roll was absolutely undeniable — just ask Green Day. Fortunately, most of them made it far enough to see themselves vindicated as the true innovators and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees they eventually became. It's just too bad that they were never able to see that influence translate into commercial success. Radio didn't figure out what to do with the Ramones until nearly twenty years after the fact.
It's Alive 1974 - 1996 is the quintessential live concert document of the Ramones. It is essential for any Ramones fan. Hell, it's essential for any true rock and roll fan period. It's just amazing how long it took somebody to finally put this stuff out. This is an easy five star DVD.
Did I mention we're talking four hours of live Ramones here?
Article comments
1 - JC Mosquito
Glen - sure, End of the Century is underrated, but of those later records don't forget Too Tough to Die - maybe their last real kick at the cat. After that - autopilot - as Johnny hmself once said, maybe there should be a mandatory retirement age for rock and rollers. Man, I haven't pulled out my Ramones vinyl for a good long while - maybe tonight when I have time.
2 - Glen Boyd
What happened to that other comment?
-Glen
3 - JC Mosquito
Maybe it was a case of "Here Today, Gone Tamarraaaawwwww!"
4 - Glen Boyd
Maybe, Skeet. Followed by a spirited "1-2-3-4!!" no doubt...
-Glen
P.S. By the way I liked Too Tough To Die too...I especially loved Dee Dee's song "Endless Vacation."
5 - Mat Brewster
I never caught the ramones live, but my brother did back in the mid-90s. He saw them at some bit outdoor venue in Texas opening for Pearl Jam. He said he sat way in the back but even at that space it was WAAAAAY too loud!
I still kick myself for not going.
6 - Glen Boyd
So you can understand then Mat, that if the Ramones were that loud in the back of an outdoor stadium (or even an ampitheatre) -- it was downright painful witnessing that in a room no larger than your standard corner tavern. Painful, but also exhilarating for a twenty year old rocker dude all jacked up on beer and testosterone.
Back then, it was loose women, cold beer, and punk rock for me. Ahh memories...
-Glen
7 - Connie Phillips
Congrats! This article has been forwarded to the Advance.net websites and Boston.com.
8 - Erich
Loved the enthusiasm and the review (just finished the set myself), but I have to point out there are no complete concert performances on this set. Even the Rainbow Theater show (the set's longest grouping of songs) has only half of the original live album's 28 tracks.