Tonight on Live From The Vault: The Ramones’ It’s Alive – Punk Rock Energy Captured Live

Every Saturday night at 9 PM EST, Live From The Vault on Live Jam brings music lovers an unparalleled journey through the greatest live albums ever recorded. This week, the show highlights #18 on Variety Magazine’s Top 50 Live Albums of All Time: the Ramones’ legendary 1977 live album, It’s Alive. Known for its relentless pace and raw punk energy, this album captures the Ramones at the height of their early career and remains a definitive statement in live rock history.

Released in 1979, It’s Alive immortalized the Ramones’ live power during a pivotal moment. The album was recorded on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1977, at the Rainbow Theatre in London, marking the culmination of their UK tour. Drawing primarily from their first three studio albums—Ramones (1976), Leave Home (1977), and Rocket to Russia (1977)—the live set showcased the band’s speed, aggression, and unfiltered stage presence. Notably, this was the final album featuring the original lineup of Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Tommy Ramone, capturing the essence of the classic Ramones era.

Clocking in at just under 54 minutes, It’s Alive packs 28 songs into four sides of vinyl, creating a relentless, breakneck experience. The album famously opens with Dee Dee Ramone’s iconic count-in, “1-2-3-4!”, immediately launching into the frenzied “Rockaway Beach,” a moment that perfectly encapsulates the Ramones’ high-octane style. Critics and fans alike have praised the album for capturing a raw, authentic energy that studio recordings could never replicate, cementing its status as one of the greatest live punk albums of all time.

For years, It’s Alive was a UK-only import, unavailable in the U.S. until 1995, which added to its mystique and cult status among punk enthusiasts. Over time, the album became a touchstone for punk rock, influencing countless bands and demonstrating the power of live performance as a medium for pure, unfiltered musical expression.

The Ramones’ legacy continues to resonate decades later. In 2019, a 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition was released, featuring recordings from all four concerts of the December 1977 UK tour. This expanded set gave fans a deeper look into the Ramones’ formidable live energy, further solidifying It’s Alive as a benchmark for live albums in the punk and rock canon.

Tune in tonight at 9 PM EST to Live From The Vault on Live Jam, where every song you hear is the live version, and experience the raw power and uncontainable energy of the Ramones as they tore through stage after stage. Relive the intensity of one of punk rock’s most celebrated live albums and let the music transport you to a historic night at the Rainbow Theatre.

For more music-inspired discoveries and to explore local finds, check out Explore New Jersey, where every visit can uncover something new for music lovers and collectors alike.