Record Replay- The Ramones “Rock ‘n Roll High School” [VIDEOS]

The Ramones were pure fun. Their brand of punk was accessible but true to the spirit. They wore leather jackets but were not threatening. They were the real deal, playing tough shows at the famed CBGB club in New York City's Bowery district and in Manhattan at Max's Kansas City.

In 1979, the band starred in Roger Corman's "Rock 'n Roll High School." A typical campy low-budget Corman production that featured sex, drugs and rock n' roll. One thing I found out recently was that Todd Rundgren was first offered the starring role but turned it down. After that, a band from Rockford, IL by the name of Cheap Trick were offered the movie but did not accept. I never heard about the CT connection before now.

I do know that the Ramones played at the Stardust Lounge in Rockford in June 1977, and that it was attended by at least some members of Cheap Trick. They returned to the area in 1996 for a show at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds.

Wednesday, we go back to class with "Rock 'n Roll High School" by the Ramones. Sad to say that all of the original members have died.