The “Blitzkrieg Bop” had gone from hard-hitting rock anthem to mainstream commercial fare. Pretty sure that’s not what The Ramones intended when they released as the band’s debut single in February 1976, but that’s how things turn out in the music business sometimes. “Blitzkrieg Bop” was, of course, the opening track on the band’s debut album, Ramones, that was released April 23, 1976.  According to the band, the song was credited to the band as a whole,  and was written by drummer Tommy Ramone (music and lyrics) and bassist Dee Dee Ramone (lyrics). “Blitzkrieg Bop” has a simple three-chord pattern and opens with the chant “Hey! Ho! Let’s go!”  Not surprisingly, it’s become popular for TV commercials and at sporting events where “Hey! Ho! Let’s go!” is often shouted as a rallying cry for the home team.  “Blitzkrieg Bop” is number 92 on the Rolling Stone list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

This video was apparently recorded at Rainbow Theatre, London. on December 31st, 1977.

Here they are, The Ramones,Joey Ramone (Jeffrey Hyman) on lead vocals, Johnny Ramone (John Cummings) on guitar, Dee Dee Ramone, bass and vocals, and Tommy Ramone on drums, singing the “Blitzkrieg Bop” in London in 1977. (Sadly, all of these original band members have passed on.)

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