The band formed in early 1974, and upon signing with Seymour Stein of Sire Records, the Ramones released their self-titled debut album on April 23, 1976.

[1] Despite the recording process only taking a week and being on a budget of $6,400,[2][3] the album has since become their most accoladed and iconic release.

[17][18] Richie's final appearance would be on 1987's Halfway to Sanity, with Elvis Ramone briefly replacing him for two performances in August before Marky was brought back into the band.

[19][20] The band's first compilation album, entitled Ramones Mania, was released in 1988 and would go on to be certified Gold in the United States.

During the turn of the 80s and 90s, the band had 3 hits in the top 40 of national chart Modern Rock Tracks, being them Pet Sematary, Poison Heart and I Don't Wanna Grow Up (cover of Tom Waits).