During a recent chat with the Scars and Guitars Podcast, C. J. Ramone reacted to not being part of Ramones’ Rock Hall induction.
“It’s the same thing with people like, ‘Oh, you must be really pissed that you didn’t get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Ramones,’” the bassist said.
He then shared his response, “I’m like, ‘The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame delegitimized itself a long time ago by putting people like Madonna in there. Why would I give a crap about that?’”
“I was really happy for the band because to them being their age, that was something really important to them. But to me, I was like, ‘I could care less about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,’” he also noted.
On March 18, 2002, the original four members of the Ramones and their new drummer, Marky Ramone, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year eligible.
Eddie Vedder inducted Ramones into the Rock Hall and gave a long speech praising the band for their impact on rock music. He also talked about his love for the band. “They were four working-class construction worker delinquents from Forest Hills, Queens, who were armed with two-minute songs that they rattled off like machine-gun fire,” the Pearl Jam singer said.
He continued, “And it was enough to change the Earth’s revolution, at least the music of the time. It was an assault. They obliterated the mystique of what it was to play in a band.”
“You didn’t have to know scales. I mean, with the knowledge of two bar chords, you could play along with their records, and that’s what people did. … And within weeks, they were starting bands with other kids in town who were doing the same,” Vedder also shared.
Vedder honored C. J. Ramone in his speech, saying, “For whatever reason, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame chose not to include [CJ] with those being inducted. It’s a Hall of Fame thing. I wouldn’t understand.”
He then stated, “But … he played 800-something shows. He participated in three or four records, wrote a lot of songs, and really importantly, he was accepted by the hardcore Ramones fans. He also played at a time when … The Ramones kept playing, and were able to play for another generation because of CJ.”
When Ramones accepted the honor, Johnny, Tommy, Dee Dee, and Marky Ramone walked to the podium. The surviving members of the band chose not to perform at the ceremony. Instead, Green Day paid tribute by playing a mix of songs, including ‘Teenage Lobotomy,’ ‘Rockaway Beach,’ and ‘Blitzkrieg Bop.’