Johnny Ramone was once asked about his playing in a somewhat patronizing way by an interviewer from a rock mag. His reply was something along the lines of this: "I'd like to see one of the fancy guitar players strum as hard and fast as I do, for as long as I do." So great. So right. No one has ever played the guitar like Johnny Ramone. The excitement that he (and his band, of course) created is still being felt. His playing got to the essence of rock and roll at a time when it was badly needed. How many fancy guitarists have done that? (Suggested viewing: Search The Ramones Blitzkrieg Bop Live Studio Hamburg in YouTube. More on The Ramones tomorrow.)