The Ramones first toured Australia in 1980 with their debut performance taking place at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on July 14 (you can find the recording online). The tour came on the back of the band’s fifth album, End of the Century, an album produced by Phil Spector and featuring the track ‘Rock ’n’ Roll High School’.
Born Richard Reinhardt, Richie was one of the Ramones’ original drummers, picking up the sticks after Tommy, the band’s original drummer, left the gang. He would record three albums with the band – Too Tough to Die, Animal Boy and Halfway to Sanity – and compose six songs.
Richie’s stay in the band would end in 1987, allegedly after Johnny failed to give him a cut of the band’s merchandise. For the most part, music did not play a part in his life again until 2006.
Unsurprisingly, Australia still has a lot of love for all things Ramones. Earlier in the year, Richie took in Cherry Rock’s 10th birthday bash and will be out this way again before the year is out. This time around it is in support of his second solo album, Cellophane.
The Barwon Club, Geelong – October 30.
