On This Day in 1976

On this day in 1976, The Ramones released their debut self-titled album, a pivotal work in the history of punk music. The group began playing shows in downtown Manhattan in 1974 and gained the attention of Hit Parader editor Lisa Robinson who helped secure them management and the production of the album, which was recorded in just 7 days.

The Ramones opens with the punk classic Blitzkrieg Bop, and features the iconic cover of the band against a brick wall. Photographed by Punk magazine’s Roberta Bayley for just $125, it has since become one of the most imitated album covers of all time.

Although failing to achieve commercial success upon release, it received glowing reviews from critics and is often featured highly on lists of the greatest albums of all time. It was certified gold in 2014, and is cited by countless artists as a major influence.