Quotes from Johnny Ramone

Some bands blow it before they even play. The most important moment of any show is when a band walks out with the red amp lights glowing, the flashlight that shows each performer the way to his spot on the stage. It's crucial not to blow it. It sets the tempo of the show; it affects everyone's perception of the band.

Cancer softened me up. I like the old me better. I liked being angry. It made me feel strong.

I figure people drift toward liberalism at a young age, and I always hope that they change when they see how the world really is.

Two of my biggest heroes were my father and John Wayne.

Your life is what you remember. I mean, some things I wish I still had. But it doesn't matter.

My favorite artists have always been Elvis and The Beatles and they still are!

If a man can tell if he's been successful in his life by having great friends, then I have been very successful.

I had a good career. I've been very fortunate.

When I was younger, I was ready to go off at any time. My wife, Linda, and I would go out to the Limelight in New York, and I would see people and be able to freeze them with a look. People were even too scared of me to tell me that people were scared of me.

I never felt out of control. It was just the way I lived my life. I was the neighborhood bully.

My favorite album would have to be Rocket To Russia. I feel this album has the most classic Ramones songs.

For all my success with the Ramones, I carried around fury and intensity during my career. I had an image, and that image was anger. I was the one who was always scowling, downcast. I tried to make sure I looked like that when I was getting my picture taken.

I think most bands probably peak on their first album. We peaked on our third album. On the first album, I feel like I wish the production was a little better. I'll always hear a song I don't like. I look for what I could have done to make it better. It's always difficult for me to listen.

'Rocket to Russia' is, I think, my favorite Ramones record. We reached our peak at that point.

I'm only going to be the way I'd want someone to react to me.

Republicans let this happen over and over, and there is never anyone to stick up for them. They spend too much time defending themselves.

I started doing up-and-down strumming, basically to keep time and to play fast. As time went on, I started realizing other guitar players couldn't do it. I always went against the grain.

If I didn't like someone, I wouldn't want him calling me up when I was dying. I wouldn't want them having regrets that they didn't talk to me.

I'm just honored that people still like us and people are still nice to me.

I didn't want the Ramones being told what to be doing, and I wanted the Ramones being presented in the right light - the remaining Ramones.

I never liked blues and I really didn't like jazz. I liked Chuck Berry.

I try to make a dent in people when I can. I figure people drift toward liberalism at a young age, and I always hope that they change when they see how the world really is.

I never take medication for pain. I want to know if the pain is getting better or worse.

We didn't sell a lot of records, but somehow we left an impression.