Joey Ramone - Punk T-Shirt

When we interviewed the Ramones in 1975 (the first order of business for our first issue), Joey didn’t say a word. Johnny and Tommy, the boss of the band, did all the talking, and Dee Dee said a word or two, but Joey didn’t speak. I couldn’t tell if he was shy or just unable to speak, but he was the opposite of your typical lead singer—the loudmouthed extrovert.

Shortly after the first issue was published I received our first Letter to the Editor from “Judy The Punk” who lived in Leffrak, Queens and was a big Ramones fan. (It was from Joey).  Soon after that Joey and his girlfriend interviewed Hilly’s dog, Jonathan, for our second issue. (It was the best thing in that issue).  Before I realized it, Joey was a regular contributor to PUNK. He suggested the Punk of the Month, one of our most popular features.  He illustrated an interview with Iggy (which took place in his loft).  He co-wrote the script for our best photo comic, “Mutant Monster Beach Party” (and co-starred (with Debbie Harry).  He tipped us off to the best bands out there, like the Dead Boys.

So of course whenever he had a chance to wear a PUNK t-shirt, he was glad to do so. He was “one of us.” I based the design of the “PUNK Emblem” on the Ramones logo as a way to show solidarity with the NYC punk scene, which was under attack from the London scene and imitators in the USA. (It wasn’t easy being a punk rocker in the 1970s, let me tell you!)

Joey was a supporter of all things rock and roll, so he’d gladly wear a t-shirt of a band he liked or a fanzine he appreciated. He understood that punk rock was about more than just the music—it’s an attitude, a lifestyle and a form of artistic expression.

Words John Holmstrom Founding Editor of PUNK Magazine.