Slipping into their leather jackets, four teenagers gather. They are at “The Ramp” in Forest Hills, Queens. It’s the birthplace of punk rock. “The Ramp,” leading to the rooftop of a parking garage at the Fanwood Estates, was their hangout. It was where Jeffrey Hyman (Joey), Douglas Colvin (Dee Dee), Thomas Erdelyi (Tommy), and John Cummings (Johnny) dreamed of rock stardom. “The Ramp” is more than just concrete and steel. It’s a monument to teenage angst, boredom, and the raw energy that fueled the Ramones. Today, “The Ramp” showcases a mural. This mural, painted by Ori Carino, captures the band’s early days. It’s based on a 1975 photo by Bob Gruen. The image depicts the four original members lounging atop their concrete kingdom. The mural is a testament to the band’s impact on music history. It’s a visual echo of the three-chord anthems that reverberated from these streets. The Queens Museum commissioned the mural as part of an exhibit celebrating the Ramones’ legacy. The exhibit, titled “Hey Ho! Let’s Go: Ramones and the Birth of Punk,” solidified “The Ramp” and the band’s place in music history. Unfortunately, the mural has seen its share of trouble. Red paint streaks, likely from maintenance work, once marred the black-and-white artwork. But like the resilient spirit of punk rock, the mural was restored. “The Ramp” in Forest Hills remains a pilgrimage site for punk rock fans. It stands as a reminder that even in the quiet corners of Queens, history can be made, and legends can be born.
Gould Family Mausoleum
Ever heard of a “Robber Baron?” Here at Woodlawn Cemetery stands the Gould Family Mausoleum. It is a testament to