Fans and Music Lovers Set to Celebrate and Immortalise Renowned Rock Group Ramones with Statue in…
In an enduring tribute to one of punk rock’s most influential bands, the Ramones are set to be immortalised with a statue in their honor—an announcement that has sparked excitement among fans, music historians, and rock enthusiasts across the globe. The statue, to be unveiled later this year, will commemorate the legacy of the iconic group whose raw sound, relentless energy, and rebellious spirit laid the foundation for punk music and culture.
The statue will be erected outside the historic Forest Hills High School in Queens, New York, where several original members of the band—including Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Tommy Ramone—once roamed the hallways as students. The school, located in the neighborhood where the band was formed in 1974, holds a special place in the Ramones’ origin story. The choice of location is a symbolic homecoming and a fitting backdrop for a monument celebrating their roots and rise to stardom.
Fans of all ages and backgrounds are expected to gather at the site for the unveiling, a reflection of the Ramones’ enduring global appeal. While the band never achieved mainstream commercial success during their active years, their cultural impact has only grown with time. Their signature look—leather jackets, ripped jeans, and bowl haircuts—alongside anthemic tracks like “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “I Wanna Be Sedated,” and “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker,” helped define the sound and style of punk rock.
The statue project, spearheaded by a group of devoted fans and music historians, has been years in the making. Funded through a combination of private donations, public grants, and crowdfunding campaigns, the initiative is a testament to the Ramones’ powerful and lasting connection with their audience. Supporters from as far as South America, Europe, and Japan contributed to the fundraising effort, showcasing the band’s international influence.
Sculptor Kristen Visbal, known for the “Fearless Girl” statue on Wall Street, was commissioned to bring the project to life. Visbal’s design features the four founding members frozen mid-performance, capturing the electric dynamism and raw energy that made the Ramones’ live shows legendary. The statue will include a bronze plaque detailing the band’s history and contribution to music, alongside a QR code linking to a digital archive of interviews, performances, and fan tributes.
Speaking about the statue, Visbal said, “The Ramones changed the course of music history. Their energy, style, and ethos broke down barriers. This sculpture is not just about remembering them—it’s about reminding future generations of the spirit of punk: do-it-yourself, challenge the norm, and stay true to your voice.”
The unveiling ceremony is expected to be a major event in New York’s cultural calendar, drawing thousands of fans, musicians, and celebrities who were influenced by the Ramones. Rumored attendees include members of Green Day, Pearl Jam, and the Foo Fighters—bands who have openly credited the Ramones as trailblazers.
In addition to the statue, the celebration will include a weekend of events such as tribute concerts, panel discussions, a punk rock street fair, and a screening of the documentary *End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones*. Local businesses and venues are also joining in, offering themed menus, art exhibitions, and merchandise tied to the tribute.
For longtime fans, the statue represents more than just nostalgia. It’s a recognition of the Ramones’ pivotal role in shaping a genre, influencing fashion, and inspiring countless musicians who followed. Joey Ramone’s brother, Mickey Leigh, who helped coordinate the project, remarked, “The Ramones were never about fame or money. They were about the music, about making noise, about being heard. This statue ensures they’re heard forever.”
Younger generations, too, are discovering the band anew through streaming services and social media. The Ramones’ music continues to find relevance among youth drawn to their raw authenticity and anti-establishment message. Teachers at Forest Hills High School have even incorporated the Ramones into music and history curricula, using the band’s story to illustrate the social and cultural currents of the 1970s and 1980s.
As the unveiling draws near, anticipation is building—not just in Queens but across the globe. What began as a local tribute has become a worldwide celebration of punk rock’s first family. In an age of fleeting fame and manufactured pop, the Ramones’ legacy is a powerful reminder of what it means to stand apart, to challenge the status quo, and to leave behind a sound that never dies.
When the curtain drops and the statue is finally revealed, fans will see more than just four men cast in bronze. They will see a symbol of defiance, a monument to artistic integrity, and a permanent reminder that the spirit of punk lives on.
