1977-11-04
Rocket To Russia
Ramones
By Maeve C.
“Sheena Is a Punk Rocker” was already out as a single when the Ramones began recording Rocket to Russia at Mediasound in Midtown Manhattan in August 1977. Tony Bongiovi and Tommy Ramone produced, with engineer Ed Stasium doing much of the production work.
“Rockaway Beach” followed as a single that November, and the record also finds room for Bobby Freeman’s “Do You Wanna Dance?” and the Trashmen’s “Surfin’ Bird”. It was the last album recorded by all four founding members, as Tommy left in 1978 to concentrate on production. It peaked at No. 49 on the Billboard 200.
Sources
Rights-holder metadata (℗ 1977 Sire Records, marketed by Rhino / Warner Music Group) lists release date 4 November 1977.Independent: released November 4, 1977 on Sire; Mediasound sessions from 21 August 1977; producers Bongiovi and Tommy Ramone; Ed Stasium; singles; two covers; Billboard 200 No. 49; last album with all four original members.
US Sire release event dated 1977-11-04; other 1977 territories have no earlier dated event.
Catalogue master identifies the album; not used as date proof.