Legendary Ramones drummer - the sole-surviving Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame-inducted member of the band - hits Australia with his new band Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg later this month. Marky promises 36 Ramones' classics in a non-stop set with a great young band that is clearly the closest we'll ever get again to the original thing. ILYOS presents full tour details as well as some great Blitzkrieg footage and rare Ramones videos!

There's been plenty of Ramones activity over the past 18 months or so, with the 40th anniversaries - and 40th-anniversary editions - of their first three albums, Ramones, Leave Home, and Rocket To Russia (the 40th Anniversary Edition of which was just announced). For more info on these see; Ramones, Leave Home, Rocket To Russia. 

One of the key members of the Ramones - and today sadly the only living member who was inducted into the Rock'n'roll Hall of Fame with the band - is Marky Ramone, who is set to tour Australia later this month with his new band Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg. 

Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg is the ultimate tribute to the spirit, energy, and songs of the Ramones. They are as close as you'll get to seeing the Ramones these days. They tour the world, and play in front of massive crowds in festivals throughout Europe, South America and Asia. The band's current line-up, which you can see in the videos below, sounds incredible. The singer, Iaki Urbizu Azaceta of Spanish band Sumisión City Blues, absolutely nails Joe Ramones nasally tones and phrasing. Close your eyes and it is the Ramones.

For complete ticket information and dates, click here.

Of course Marky replaced Tommy on drums after Rocket to Russia, in May 1978. He remained with the band until February 1983, and then rejoined in August 1987. He was will the band until the end - they played their last show in August 1996. As a Ramone of some 14 years standing, Marky came close to Dee Dee as being the third longest serving band member after Johnny and Joey. 

Marky's pre-Ramones pedigree is also legendary. Back when he was Marc Bell, he was a member of key New York punk bands Wayne Country & The Back Street Boys and Richard Hell & The Voidoids. Before that, in the early '70s, he was in seminal hard rock band Dust, whose other members included Richie Wise who went onto to produce the first two Kiss albums. 

Let's have a look at some great recent footage of Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg live in Columbia last year, and then a key track from each of the eight Ramones studio albums that Marky played on.

Live in Columbia

I Wanna Be Sedated (from Road To Ruin)

Rock'n'Roll High School (on Countdown) (from End of the Century) 

The KKK Took My Baby Away (from Pleasant Dreams) 

Psycho Therapy (from Subterranean Jungle) 

Pet Cemetary (from Brain Drain)  

Poison Heart (from Mondo Bizarro) 

Journey to the Centre of my Mind (from Acid Eaters) 

I Don't Wanna Grow Up (from ¡Adios Amigos!)

- DL