THE RAMONES’ 50TH ANNIVERSARY TURNS HOLLYWOOD FOREVER INTO ONE MASSIVE PUNK ROCK FAMILY REUNION
PHOTOS BY JOSH GIROUX
There are tribute shows, and then there’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Tim Armstrong, Travis Barker, and CJ Ramone getting together in a cemetery to play Ramones songs.
Thousands of fans packed Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sunday night to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ramones’ self-titled debut, with the whole thing feeling less like a formal anniversary celebration and more like one giant punk rock party.
The main attraction was Cretin Family, featuring Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Rancid’s Tim Armstrong, blink-182’s Travis Barker, and CJ Ramone. The group tore through Ramones favorites including “Rockaway Beach,” “Cretin Hop,” “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker,” “Commando,” and “Havana Affair,” with Billie Joe, Tim, and CJ trading vocal duties throughout the set.
Then came the guests.
Fred Armisen joined for “Danny Says,” Jason Freese jumped in for “Do You Remember Rock ’n’ Roll Radio?” and The Linda Lindas helped rip through “California Sun” and “I Wanna Be Sedated.” Billy Idol also showed up for “Beat on the Brat” before joining everyone for the inevitable finale, “Blitzkrieg Bop.”
Hearing thousands of people scream “Hey! Ho! Let’s Go!” inside Hollywood Forever while members of the Ramones, Green Day, Rancid and blink-182 shared the stage with Billy Idol and The Linda Lindas was pretty damn special.
The night also featured John Travolta, a DJ set by Shepard Fairey,, and a double-feature screening, because apparently this thing couldn’t get any more Los Angeles if it tried.
Fifty years after the Ramones changed punk forever, bands are still borrowing from it, kids are still discovering it, and thousands of people will still show up at a cemetery to scream along to these songs.
Honestly, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate 50 years.
Gabba Gabba Hey.
