30 years on, Richie looks back on that period with fond memories. “It was an important time in the band’s history,” he says. “At the time I didn’t know how important though.”
In a 1984 interview with The Providence Local, Ramones co-founder and frontman Joey Ramone had nothing but high praise for Richie. “[Richie] saved the band as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “He’s the greatest thing to happen to the Ramones. He put the spirit back in the band.”
To this day Richie is humbled by Joey’s praise. “Are you kidding me? It’s a bitchin’ compliment –it was amazing.” he says. “Coming from someone who will always be my friend, it’s a great quote.”
Richie is often referred to as the fastest and most powerful drummer in the history of the Ramones. “I’ve been playing the drums since I was 12-years-old, and it’s always come pretty naturally to me,” he says.
His ability to sing lead vocals while keeping pace on the drums is a talent envied by many. “Getting your breathing right is pretty much everything – to play the drums you have to breathe in rhythm, and singing is the same but the timing is different,” Richie says. “It takes a lot of practise, but I’ve been doing it for so long it’s almost second nature.”
The Ramones formed in 1974, and had made seven albums before Richie arrived. However, on reflection, Richie sees that his entrance was exactly what his bandmates needed. “When I joined the band they were flat, and me joining was like lighting a spark plug,” he says. “We became incredibly close because we spent so much time together. We played 170 shows a year back then, and travelled all over. I hung out with them every day – we were like family, just like my band now.”
These days Richie is the star of the show, dividing his time between the drum kit and the front of stage. Joining him on this tour are three handpicked musicians: Clare Misstake on bass, rhythm guitarist and (sometimes) drummer Ben Reagan, and Aussie guitarist Ronnie Simmons. “We’re like a family too,” Richie says. “It’s funny because Ronnie’s from Sydney and Clare’s from London – I’m surrounded by accents all the time. I start to pick them up.”
While with the Ramones, Richie penned the fan favourites Somebody Put Something In My Drink and (You) Can’t Say Anything Nice, among others, and he assures us they’ll both be played at CherryRock016. “I’ll also play a few more obscure songs from my time with the Ramones, and I always play the cult classics. It’ll be fun – it’s high energy, and it’s going to be a killer show.”
Don’t be surprised if you see Richie hanging out by the merch stand at the end of the night, either. “I’ll come right out after the show. We’ll take pictures and sign autographs – I want everyone to be buddies. The show isn’t over once I leave the stage. I like to talk to people and see what’s going on. That’s punk rock – I’m no phony.”
BY NATALIE ROGERS
