When punk rock reared its spiky head in the early seventies, Marc Bell had the best seat in the house. Already a young veteran of the prototype American metal band Dust, Bell took residence in artistic, seedy Lower Manhattan, where he played drums in bands that would shape rock music for decades to come, including Wayne County, who pioneered transsexual rock, and Richard Hell and the Voidoids, who directly inspired the entire early British punk scene. If punk has royalty, Marc became part of it in 1978 when he was knighted “Marky Ramone” by Johnny, Joey, and Dee Dee of the iconoclastic Ramones. The band of tough misfits was a natural fit for Marky, who dressed punk before there was punk, and who brought his “blitzkrieg” style of drumming as well as the studio and stage experience the group needed to solidify its lineup. Together, they would change the world. Now Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Marky Ramone brings “My Life as a Ramone” – LIVE in conversation at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Friday, February 11, 2022, at 8 pm. The last surviving Ramone tells his story in a multimedia event, part of the Hearst Media Entertaining Conversation Series and Pepsi Rock Series Driven by North American Motor Car, which includes vintage photos, video clips and previously unheard stories behind the music. Make it a great night out with dinner and a show – visit Bareburger (38 Danbury Road, Ridgefield) for dinner before the show and enjoy a complimentary glass of house wine or draft beer with your entrée when you show your ticket!
In 1976, Marky was introduced to Richard Hell. Along with Bob Quine and Ivan Julian, they formed Richard Hell & the Voidoids. The Voidoids released their groundbreaking debut album in 1977 on Sire Records, entitled “Blank Generation.” Shortly after the Voidoids historic U.K. tour with The Clash, Marky found himself at the bar at CBGB with Dee Dee Ramone. Dee Dee asked him if he would be interested in joining The Ramones. In the spring of 1978, Marky joined the Ramones. In a matter of weeks he was in the studio recording his first album with The Ramones entitled, “Road to Ruin,” which features one of the biggest Ramones songs “I Wanna Be Sedated.” The following year the Ramones filmed the cult classic “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School.” Later that year, they joined forces with producer legend, Phil Spector to record “End Of The Century.” After several tours and a two more studio albums, Marky left the band in 1983, only to rejoin his bandmates in 1987 until they decided to call it quits in 1996. His tenure with the Ramones spanned a total of 15 years. Performing over 1,700 shows and more than 15 releases, including songwriting credits on both “Mondo Bizarro” and “Adios Amigos,” the band’s farewell release.
In 2000, Marky reunited with long-time friend Joey Ramone for Joey’s solo effort “Don’t Worry About Me”. In 2001, Marky along with his former bandmates (Johnny, Dee Dee, and Tommy), were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. That same year, U2’s Bono presented the Ramones with MTV’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In February 2010 The Ramones received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. It was the first Grammy for the punk rock pioneers. Soon after, Marky Ramones Blitzkrieg with Michale Graves released their first single “When We Were Angels” with a former member of Sheer Terror, Mark Neuman, playing bass and guitar. With no signs of slowing down, Marky Ramone continues to tour the world with his band, Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg, featuring various lead vocalists including Andrew W.K. and Michale Graves. Marky is currently in his tenth year as a D.J. on SiriusXM Satellite Radio hosing “Marky Ramone’s Punk Rock Blitzkrieg.” Marky has also appeared on numerous TV shows including The Simpsons, Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, and ZRock.
For more information or to purchase touchless print at home ticket ($45 – $55, VIP Meet and Greet Upgrade $100 additional) go online at www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org or, you can visit or call the box office (203) 438-5795. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT and is committed to keeping the arts alive and available to all.
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