‘I first got into the Ramones in 1984 and they quickly became one of my favorite groups of all time. I saw them live in 1988 and 1989 and the shows were non-stop blistering action. I was recently honored to be asked to do the logo for johnnyramonearmy.com. I was very pleased with the logo and asked if I could make a fine art piece of the illustration. This poster was created from the fine art piece. There are two color ways. A black and gold color way is available through Obey Giant, and a black and red version is available through Johnny Ramone’s Official Store Here. Check them both out.
I saw the Ramones three times, but the show I saw in the fall of 1988 at the Living Room in Providence R.I. was the most intense. The Living Room should have held 500, but in Providence clubs paid off the cops and there were probably 1,000 people in the venue. Jane’s Addiction opened up and raised the energy level. When the Ramones came on the crowd was ready to go nuts. I was near the stage and the crowd surged forward compressing everyone so tightly that I thought my ribs would be crushed. I could actually pick my feet off the ground simultaneously without using my hands. The Ramones played non-stop, no breaks between songs for about two hours. The band was super tight. Johnny leaned into the crowd and didn’t even take his leather jacket off for an hour even though it was sweaty as hell in there. Joey’s hair was in his eyes but he stayed planted in front of the mic and sounded great. Providence loves the Ramones, so the crowd energy never waned. At certain points I felt like I was going to suffocate or be crushed, but I refused to give up my spot right at the front. It may seem weird to say you are having the time of your life fighting for your life, but that’s the only way I can describe that show.’
-Shepard
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