Here is a little-known fact that might shock you – the Ramones’ 1976 debut self-titled album did not go gold until 2014! Almost unthinkable considering the legendary status of the band and of this particular album, it was not until their third album, 1977’s Rocket to Russia, that the band had broader commercial acclaim.
All very interesting aspects of the road travelled by one of the most iconic Punk Rock bands ever to grace the earth, looking at the trajectory of their albums through the years. A wild ride, the bands put out the killer Road to Ruin in 1978, before the more Pop-oriented End of the Century (Phil Spector produced) in 1980 and Pleasant Dreams (Graham Gouldman produced) in 1981. Then in 1983 came the more raw-sounding Subterranean Jungle, but the band turned even heavier a year later with 1984’s Too Tough to Die.
The eighth overall Ramones record, Too Tough to Die, was aptly titled in the face of the band’s internal strife and debatable decisions provoked by outside influences on how to take their sound. Released in October 1984, the album would be the first to find Richie Ramone on drums while former Ramones Drummer Tommy Ramone co-produced it with Ed Stasium (who had previously worked on classic early Ramones material such as Rocket to Russia and Road to Ruin). A return to basics, the band put together an exciting collection of untamed Punk Rock.
Taking you off guard, Too Tough to Die has an energy to it that is real, but it still has many more surprises inside. Beyond the obvious return to form and personnel changes, the album was also the first not to have Joey Ramone singing on each track. Instead, you have a rare diversion with Dee Dee Ramone picking up vocals on the ruckus “Wart Hog.” Offfering something different, the album also featured such memorable songs as “Mama’s Boy,” the dark, moody “I’m Not Afraid of Life,” the heavy and fast “Danger Zone,” and of course bizzare, but fun Synthpop sound of “Howling at the Moon (Sha-La-La).”
Overall, Too Tough to Die is an album that proves the Ramones were Punk Rock legends, tried and true. Their lowest charting album to that point in time still stands strong over forty years later and deserves more attention. With that in mind, while Too Tough to Die has been reissued various times through the years (including a 2005 deluxe CD edition), now in 2025, Rhino reissues it on vinyl.
As part of Rhino’s Start Your Ear Off Right campaign, the new vinyl pressing of Too Tough to Die popped up on January 3, 2025. Still out there and available at various outlets and in-store retailers, the new LP features all thirteen original tracks. Crisp and clear, it is pressed to a solid black vinyl, complete with original classic front and back art. Looking and sounding great, it is one of several Ramones releases a part of this reissue campaign from Rhino, which also includes 1987’s Halfway to Sanity and 1989’s Brain Drain. Each is worth looking into; it is recommended to rediscover Too Tough to Die, with Cryptic Rock giving this 2025 reissue 4 out of 5 stars.
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