RAMONES Road To Ruin YELLOW Vinyl MINT Audio 1st Press

	£		30
	$		40

A BREAKDOWN OF THE ARTIST/S :-

The Ramones, comprising Johnny Ramone (Born John Cummings, 8 October 1948, Long Island, New York, USA, d. 15 September 2004, Los Angeles, California, USA; guitar), Dee Dee Ramone (Born Douglas Colvin, 18 September 1952, Fort Lee, Virginia, USA, d. 5 June 2002, Hollywood, California, USA; bass/vocals) and Joey Ramone (Born Jeffrey Hyman, 19 May 1951, New York City, New York, USA, d. 15 April 2001, New York City, New York, USA; drums) made their debut at New York's Performance Studio on 30 March 1974. Two months later manager Tommy Ramone (Born Thomas Erdelyi, 29 January 1952, Budapest, Hungary) replaced Joey on drums, who then switched to vocals. The quartet, named the Ramones from a misappropriation of Paul McCartney's original stage name, Ramon, later secured a residency at the renowned CBGB's club where they became one of the city's leading proponents of punk rock.

Released in 1976, the fever-paced Ramones was a startling first album. Its high-octane assault drew from 50s kitsch and 60s garage bands, while leather jackets, tight T-shirts, ripped jeans and an affected dumbness enhanced their music's cartoon-like quality (the image drew on Colvin's experience as a teenage hustler). The band's debut appearance in London in July 1976 influenced a generation of British punk musicians, while the following year's Leave Home, which included "Suzy Is A Headbanger" and "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment", confirmed the sonic attack of its predecessor. The latter drew on lead singer Joey Ramone's time in mental institutions, a theme revisited on a number of the band's most famous tracks, including "I Wanna Be Sedated", "Teenage Lobotomy" and "Cretin Hop'. Rocket To Russia, the Ramones" second album of 1977, was marginally less frenetic as the band's novelty appeal waned, although "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" gave them their first UK Top 30 hit.

In May 1978 Tommy Ramone left to pursue a career in production and former Richard Hell drummer Marc Bell (Born 15 July 1956, New York City, New York, USA), remodelled as Marky Ramone, replaced him for Road To Ruin, as the band sought to expand their appealing, but limited, style. The album was produced by Tommy Ramone (he would also oversee their 1984 release Too Tough To Die). The Ramones took a starring role in the trivial Rock 'N' Roll High School, a participation that led to their collaboration with producer Phil Spector. The resultant release, End Of The Century, was a curious hybrid, and while Johnny balked at Spector's laborious recording technique, Joey, whose penchant for girl group material gave the Ramones their sense of melody, was less noticeably critical. The album contained a sympathetic version of the Ronettes' "Baby, I Love You", which became the band's biggest UK hit single when it reached the Top 10.

The Ramones were by now looking increasingly anachronistic, unable or unwilling to change. 1981's Pleasant Dreams, produced by Graham Gouldman, revealed an outfit now outshone by the emergent hardcore acts they had inspired. However, 1983's Subterranean Jungle showed a renewed purpose that was maintained sporadically on the band's mid-80s releases Too Tough To Die, Animal Boy and Halfway To Sanity, and the single "Bonzo Goes To Bitburg', a hilarious riposte to Ronald Reagan's ill-advised visit to a cemetery containing graves of Nazi SS personnel. Richie Ramone aka Richie Beau (Born Richie Reinhardt, 11 August 1957) occupied the drum stool from 1983 to 1987 before the return of Marky. Dee Dee, meanwhile, had adopted the name Dee Dee King and left the band after the release of 1989"s Brain Drain to pursue an ill-fated rap career.

Although increasingly confined to pop's fringes, a revitalized line-up - Joey, Johnny, Marky and new bass player C.J. Ramone (Born Christopher John Ward, 8 October 1965) - undertook a successful 1990 US tour alongside fellow CBGB's graduate Deborah Harry and Talking Heads offshoot Tom Tom CluBorn In 1992 they released Mondo Bizarro, from which "Censorshit", an attack on Tipper Gore, head of the PMRC, was the most notable moment. By 1995 and ­Adios Amigos!, rumours implied that the two-minute buzzsaw guitar trail may have finally run cold, with the impression of a epitaph exacerbated by the album's title. As Johnny conceded: "I know that you have to deal with a life without applause, and I'm looking forward to trying it. A lot of musicians are addicted to it and won't get out." The Ramones announced their final gig on 6 August 1996, a tearful event at The Palace club in Hollywood (captured on the 1997 live album).

Joey Ramone succumbed to lymphatic cancer in April 2001. The following year the Ramones were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Dee Dee was found dead of a drugs overdose in June 2002 and guitarist Johnny Ramone succumbed to prostate cancer two years later, leaving drummer Tommy the sole surviving original member. Whatever record sales they achieved, the Ramones' contribution to popular music is considerable; history will show whether such fame was influential.

Discography:
Ramones (Sire 1976)****, Leave Home (Sire 1977)****, Rocket To Russia (Sire 1977)****, Road To Ruin (Sire 1978)***, It's Alive (Sire 1979)****, End Of The Century (Sire 1980)****, Pleasant Dreams (Sire 1981)***, Subterranean Jungle (Sire 1983)***, Too Tough To Die (Sire/Beggars Banquet 1984)****, Animal Boy (Sire/Beggars Banquet 1986)***, Halfway To Sanity (Sire/Beggars Banquet 1987)**, Brain Drain (Sire 1989)**, Loco Live (Sire/Chrysalis 1992)**, Mondo Bizarro (Radioactive/Chrysalis 1992)**, Acid Eaters (Radioactive/Chrysalis 1993)**, ­Adios Amigos! (Radioactive/Chrysalis 1995)***, We're Outta Here! (Radioactive/Eagle 1997)***, You Don't Come Close 1978 live recording (Alchemy 2003)***, Live January 1978 At The Palladium NYC (Sanctuary 2004)***.

THE HISTORY OF THE RECORD :- Road to Ruin shows a more "classic" pop sound as well as a shift to a more serious personality to the music, a theme that would remain in later albums, most notably the band's fifth album End of the Century (1980). The influence of 1960s girl groups is evident, as well as the influence of The Byrds on tracks including "Don't Come Close" and the cover of "Needles and Pins," originally by Jackie DeShannon and later a hit for The Searchers.

The album also contains the track "I Wanna Be Sedated", one of the band's most famous songs.

Road to Ruin was the Ramones' first album with Marky Ramone on drums, after original drummer Tommy Ramone left due to fatigue from touring. However, Tommy (credited as his birth name, Tommy Erdelyi) stayed to produce Road to Ruin, as well as a brief comeback for 1984's Too Tough to Die.

The album was remastered and released by Rhino Records on June 19, 2001. It also featured bonus tracks, which included alternate versions and demos. Two of the bonus tracks, "Rock 'n' Roll High School (Ed Stasium version)" and "Blitzkrieg Bop/Teenage Lobotomy/California Sun/Pinhead/She’s the One (Live)," are from the soundtrack for Rock 'n' Roll High School

American hardcore punk band Bad Brains took their name from the album song "Bad Brain".

"I'm Against It" was covered by American heavy metal band Overkill on their album Coverkill.

The original US version of the album was pressed on traditional black vinyl, while the original UK version was pressed on transparent yellow vinyl.

The album was repressed on coloured vinyl in 2008.

The album cover design was done by Punk Magazine artist, John Holmstrom.

THE COVER :- Single textured sleeve

THE LABEL :- Sire labels

THE VINYL VISUALLY :- On initial inspection of this piece of vinyl I cannot see any areas of immediate concern. The vinyl sits perfectly flat on the turntable so there are no nasty warps to worry about. The vinyl still retains its just pressed quality, full of deep shine and lustre. There is absolutely nothing that would affect play. A truly lovely piece of vinyl. Graded as Near Mint 

THE VINYL PLAY GRADED :- The playgrading of the vinyl reveals no lessening whatsoever in the sound quality. It lives up to its visual grading. There is next to no surface noise. What there is can be only heard on the dead wax and run ins but even that is barely evident. The sound quality is high with a full dynamic range and very detailed sound. I feel certain this album has not been played apart from by myself to grade. I would grade the audio playback as Near Mint condition.

THE SLEEVE FRONT CONDITION :- This is the very earliest 1st press textured Garrod and Lofthouse sleeve. The front of the sleeve is free from writing, free from stickers or evidence of previously removed stickers. The sleeve reveals only light ringwear and no creases. There is a small bump in the top left corner and some very light corner wear in the other seam corner. The colours are bright and crisp. I would grade the front of the cover as Excellent condition. ? .

THE SLEEVE REAR CONDITION :- The rear of the sleeve is free from writing, free from stickers or evidence of previously removed stickers. There are no creases on the rear of the sleeve only light ringwear. Just some very light corner and seam wear. Again the rear still retains its original crisp colours and just pressed feel. I would grade the rear as Excellent Plus condition.

TOP AND BOTTOM SEAM CONDITION :- There is som rubbing on the top seam and the black overlay print has been rubbed away for roughly 30mm. The bottom seam is untouched

THE LABEL SIDE ONE CONDITION :- Original Sire label in excellent order free from stickers or writing and no damage at all, light signs of play around the spindle hole. Near Mint condition.

THE LABEL SIDE TWO CONDITION :- Original Sire label in excellent order free from stickers or writing and no damage at all, light signs of play around the spindle hole. Near Mint condition.

THE SPINE CONDITION :- The writing on the spine is crystal clear, no spine splits at all just signs of shelfwear in the two corners. Excellent condition

THE INNER SLEEVE CONDITION :- The custom yellow inner is in perfect condition with no creasing or marks. Near Mint condition

THE EXTRAS :- No extras were given with this album

THE CATALOGUE NUMBER :- SRK 6063

THE YEAR OF RELEASE :-  1978

THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN :-  UK

PLAYING FORMAT :- STEREO

THE MATRIX NUMBERS :-  SRK 6063 A//1  & SRK 6063 B//1

RUN OFFS :- HI NIGEL LOVE ALLEN AND TIM TOM & ALLEN

TRACK LISTING :-

SIDE ONE :-

1. I JUST WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO TO
2. I WANTED EVERYTHING
3. DON'T COME CLOSE
4. I DON'T WANT YOU
5. NEEDLES AND PINS
6. I'M AGAINST IT

SIDE TWO :-

1. I WANNA BE SEDATED
2. GO MENTAL
3. QUESTIONLY
4. SHE'S THE ONE
5. BAD BRAIN
6. IT'S A LONG WAY BACK

WHAT WE PLAY THE RECORD ON :- 

We use a Project 6 Perspex Turntable to play grade our records which delivers a rich authoritative sound and achieves a rich and weighty vibrancy unrivalled by the majority of decks within its price range

HOW WE CLEAN YOUR RECORD :- 

We use a V.P.I. HW-16.5 record cleaning machine to clean your vinyl. "A highly recommended machine" as quoted by Stereophile magazine. This removes any excess dirt before playing

HOW WE PACKAGE YOUR RECORD :- 

Your record will be package very securely to minimise any risk of damage during transit. We remove the record from the outer sleeve unless asked not to do so. This helps to minimise the risk of seam spliting. We use a high quality record mailer which is designed to give superior protection for your vinyl record. We place stiffeners either side of the record for added protection. The album will also be placed in a 450 gram Poly outer sleeve for even extra added protection

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING CHARGES FOR UK CUSTOMERS :-

We advise that items reaching over £46 in price to be insured and sent by Special Delivery. This protects both of us and ensures better handling of the parcel during transit.We are in no way out to make money from postage. The postage price includes the record mailer, stiffeners and plastic sleeve. We just want your item to reach you in the best possible condition. A breakdown of insured postal services are listed below. Please choose to use the relevant postal service for your own protection as once these rare records are lost they can quite often seldom be replaced

FIRST CLASS RECORDED FOR RECORDS INSURED UP TO £46  :-   £4.50

SECOND CLASS RECORDED FOR RECORDS INSURED UP TO £46 :- £4.00

SPECIAL DELIVERY NEXT DAY UPTO 500g :- £7.15

SPECIAL DELIVERY NEXT DAY FROM 500g - 1000g :- £8.35

(SPECIAL DELIVERY INSURES YOUR ITEM UPTO £500)

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION :-    

All records reaching under £15 are sent to the European Union by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £15

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS  :-  £6.22 (For items under £15)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :-  £11.37 (For items £15 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :-  £13.97 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE USA AND CANADA :- 

All records reaching under £15 are sent to the USA & Canada by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £15

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS  :-  £8.78 (For items under £15)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £13.93 (For items £15 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £16.53 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN AND ROW :- 

All records reaching under £15 are sent to the Australia & Japan by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £15

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS :- £9.06 (For items under £15)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £14.21 (For items £15 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £16.81 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT PROFIT FROM POSTAGE, THE PRICES WE QUOTE ARE QUITE ACCURATE AND INCLUDE THE PACKAGING MATERIALS AT COST PRICE

NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS:

PLEASE AWAIT AN INVOICE BEFORE PAYING SO WE CAN WORK OUT THE CORRECT POSTAGE/SHIPPING CHARGES

BUYERS OF MULTIPLE ITEMS :- 

Postage prices and courier methods for multiple purchases will be calculated after the auction end. It is impossible for us at the pre auction stage to determine these prices as the final weight is unknown.If you are the winner of multiple items the please await contact from us or alternately contact us yourself for a breakdown of the shipping costs.You will only pay the stamp price + relevant packaging charges so there are big savings to be made with multiple purchases

HOW TO PAY FOR YOUR RECORD :-

We can accept the following payment methods

UK BUYERS :- 

• PayPal
• Personal cheque (Please allow to clear)
• Bankers Draft
• Postal Order

OVERSEAS BUYERS :-

• Paypal only

TERMS AND CONDITIONS :-

We always try to appraise the record for sale as openly and honestly as possible and provide plenty of pictures for you to look at but please be aware that errors however rare do occur and not everyone has the same audio  equipment. There is no problem that cannot be worked out in a civilised manner. We urge you to contact us so that we can discuss any small problems that may occur. We offer a refund of the purchase price for returned items within 7 days of purchase and are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have during the auction

SAVE US TO YOUR FAVOURITES LIST AS WE INTEND TO LIST MANY MORE RARE VINYL TREATS OVER THE COMING MONTHS AND YEARS