Ramones Documentary: "End of the Century"

Cafe Society
1

Have you seen it? It was on PBS a week or so ago and I was finally able to watch it - it is also out on DVD.

Amazing - their story, especially Joey’s and how he overcame (or at least rose above) what are considered severe psychological problems through being a lead singer, was just amazing.

The structure of the documentary was well done, in terms of getting a sense of these guys’ background in Queens. And the personalities - jeez.

Incredible - I can’t get it out of my head and it adds another layer to how I listen to their music.

2

I saw it at last year’s Indie Memphis festival with a packed house at a midnight show. I’ve always been a big Ramones fan, and to me it was a very moving experience. I’m glad it’s been exposed to a wide audience, although the thought of the Ramones as PBS music is a little depressing.

3

This was my first time being confronted with the pure horror of Dee Dee’s rapping. Wow. Even a week later, I can hardly believe he actually made a record that bad.

4

Another good thing about the documentary is that the Ramones always wanted to have a huge hit. Joey was baffled by the negative reaction to their music, because he always considered them basically bubblegum pop.

5

I was glad to see the R&R hall of fame recognized their influence and voted them in, even though they were never a Billboard top 40 type band.

6

I saw it too, and I was certainly underwhelmed by Dee Dee’s rapping. However, an even bigger impression I got was that, while his posturing certainly didn’t seem real, it seemed a whole lot real than the current batch of hardcore thug poseurs (even the ones that happen to be violent.) Any doubt of whether I respect most current rappers is gone.

7

Saw it. Loved it.

What sticks out in my mind the most is that people could work so closely for so long and basicly hate each other to the point that they wouldn’t make a “death-bed” phone call to one another. Wow.

Johnny seems to be a bit of a prick.

Dee Dee can’t rap. Man, that was embarrassing.

8

Wow, thats just what I came in to say. I was even going to use the word “prick”. I agree, though - its a great doco and I’m not a big Ramones fan by any stretch.