10 Most Influential American Acts On British Rock
4. Ramones
When the Ramones dropped their eponymous debut album in 1976 it was the catalyst needed to kick start punk as a recognised genre. When you list the biggest names in punk you have the Ramones, the Clash and the Sex Pistols. But without the former, the latter two British bands would never have had the impact they did.
During the mid '70s the London pub rock scene was mostly filled with groups playing raucous takes on rhythm and blues or rock 'n' roll. Dr. Feelgood were one of the leading acts on the scene, setting the bar with their energetic, booze-fuelled live performances. But there was something missing. The angst was there, the enthusiasm was apparent, but the final piece of the puzzle wasn't realised until the Ramones turned up.
Founder of the Damned, Captain Sensible, described an early UK Ramones gig, as being filled with prominent members of many leading London punk groups. It was the moment when British rockers knew what direction their music needed to go in. A year after the Ramones' debut came out, both the Sex Pistols and the Clash dropped their debuts. And, with that punk was born.