The Ramones Record Labels: Complete History of Their Recording Companies
The Ramones were primarily signed to Sire Records for the majority of their career, spanning from 1975 to 1995. Sire Records, founded by Seymour Stein, played a crucial role in bringing punk rock to mainstream America through their relationship with the band.
I can tell you that their first album, the self-titled "Ramones" (1976), was released on Sire Records, setting the stage for a long-lasting partnership. During their time with Sire, the band released 14 studio albums, including classics like "Leave Home" (1977), "Rocket to Russia" (1977), and "Road to Ruin" (1978).
While Sire Records was their main label, it's worth noting that the band's releases were distributed through different major label partnerships. Initially, Sire worked with ABC Records, then later with Warner Bros. Records, which helped expand the Ramones' reach globally.
In their later years, the Ramones briefly recorded for Radioactive Records, releasing their final studio album "¡Adios Amigos!" (1995) through this label. However, their most significant and memorable work came during their tenure with Sire Records.
The band's relationship with Sire Records was instrumental in establishing their legacy, as the label stood by them despite modest commercial success. Today, most of the Ramones' catalog remains under the control of Warner Music Group, which now owns Sire Records.
For collectors and fans, it's important to know that some early Ramones records were also released through Philips Records in certain international markets, though these were still licensed through Sire Records.