Ramones’ ‘Rocket to Russia’ 40th Anniv. Deluxe Due

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The Ramones released their third album on Nov. 4, 1977, capping off one of the biggest years in the history of punk with Rocket to Russia. Among The Ramones’ best-loved albums, it features classics like “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker” and “Rockaway Beach,” along with their signature covers of “Do You Wanna Dance?” and “Surfin’ Bird.” It’s also the last album ever recorded by all four founding members, as drummer Tommy Ramone left soon after to focus on writing and producing.

To celebrate the album’s 40-year anniversary, Rhino will release two versions on Nov. 24. The 3-CD/1-LP Rocket to Russia: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition will contain two different mixes of the album: a remastered version of the original and a new 40th Anniversary Tracking Mix by original Rocket to Russia engineer/mixer Ed Stasium.

Watch the official unboxing video

The collection includes a number of unreleased studio recordings, plus a previously unissued recording of the band’s 1977 concert in Glasgow, Scotland.

Listen to the unreleased live version of “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” from Glasgow 1977

The Deluxe Edition will be produced in a limited and numbered edition of 15,000 copies worldwide and comes packaged in a 12×12-inch hardcover book. Along with the music, the set also features stories about the band by Sire Records founder Seymour Stein, details about making the album by Stasium, and extensive liner notes by music writer and co-founder of Creem Magazine, Jaan Uhelszki.

The newly remastered version of the original album will also be released as a single CD. Both titles will be available via digital download and streaming services as well.

Pre-order the 3-CD Deluxe Edition here.

Pre-order the single CD here.

The first disc of the Deluxe Edition features a remastered version of the original stereo mix for Rocket to Russia, plus the 2017 40th Anniversary Tracking Mix created by Stasium, which provides a back-to-basics version of the album, and a different track listing from the 1977 original. The 2017 40th Anniversary Tracking Mix is also featured on the LP that accompanies the Deluxe Edition. (Early in 2018, Rhino will release the remastered original stereo mix separately on vinyl.)

Two dozen rare and unreleased recordings are found on the second disc, including rough mixes from sessions at Mediasound and the Power Station. There’s also an early version of “Needles and Pins” with Tommy on drums, the B-side single mix of “Babysitter,” an alternate version of “It’s a Long Way Back To Germany” with Dee Dee on vocals, an original radio promo with Joey Ramone, and more.

A highlight of this Deluxe Edition is the complete unreleased concert included on the third disc. This never-before-heard multi-track recording of the band’s December 19, 1977, show at the Apollo Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, captures the Ramones just a few days before the group recorded the classic live album It’s Alive, and mixed for this 40th Anniversary edition by Stasium. In Glasgow, they played songs from all three studio albums including “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “Judy Is A Punk,” “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment” and “California Sun.”

Track Listing

Disc One: Original Album
Remastered Original Mixes
1. “Cretin Hop”
2. “Rockaway Beach”
3. “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow”
4. “Locket Love”
5. “I Don’t Care”
6. “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker”
7. “We’re A Happy Family”
8. “Teenage Lobotomy”
9. “Do You Wanna Dance?”
10. “I Wanna Be Well”
11. “I Can’t Give You Anything”
12. “Ramona”
13. “Surfin’ Bird”
14. “Why Is It Always This Way?”

40th Anniversary Tracking Mix
15. “Cretin Hop”
16. “Rockaway Beach”
17. “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow”
18. “Locket Love”
19. “I Don’t Care” – Version 2
20. “It’s A Long Way Back To Germany” – Version 1
21. “We’re A Happy Family”
22. “Teenage Lobotomy”
23. “Do You Wanna Dance?”
24. “I Wanna Be Well”
25. “I Can’t Give You Anything”
26. “Ramona”
27. “Surfin’ Bird”
28. “Why Is It Always This Way?”

Disc Two: Bonus Material
Mediasound/Power Station Rough Mixes
1. “Why Is It Always This Way?” – Mediasound Rough, Alternate Lyrics *
2. “Rockaway Beach” – Power Station Rough *
3. “I Wanna Be Well” – Power Station Rough *
4. “Locket Love” – Power Station Rough *
5. “I Can’t Give You Anything” – Power Station Rough *
6. “Cretin Hop” – Power Station Rough *
7. “Happy Family” – Power Station Rough *
8. “Ramona” – Mediasound Rough, Alternate Lyrics *
9. “Do You Wanna Dance?” – Mediasound Rough *
10. “Teenage Lobotomy” – Mediasound Rough *
11. “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” – Mediasound Rough *
12. “I Don’t Care” – Version 2, Mediasound Rough *

40th Anniversary Extras
13. “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” – Acoustic Version *
14. “It’s A Long Way Back To Germany” – Version 1-Dee Dee Vocal *
15. “Ramona” – Sweet Little Ramona Pop Mix *
16. “Surfin’ Bird” – Alternate Vocal *
17. “Teenage Lobotomy” – Backing Track *
18. “We’re A Happy Family” – At Home With The Family *
19. “Cretin Hop” – Backing Track *
20. “Needles And Pins” – Demo Version *
21. “Babysitter” – B-Side Version
22. “It’s A Long Way Back To Germany” – B-Side Version
23. Joey RTR Radio Spot Promo *
24. “We’re A Happy Family” – Joey & Dee Dee Dialogue *

Listen to “We’re a Happy Family” from the original LP

Disc Three: Live at Apollo Centre, Glasgow, Scotland (December 19, 1977)
1. “Rockaway Beach” *
2. “Teenage Lobotomy” *
3. “Blitzkrieg Bop” *
4. “I Wanna Be Well” *
5. “Glad To See You Go” *
6. “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment” *
7. “You’re Gonna Kill That Girl” *
8. “I Don’t Care” *
9. “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” *
10. “Carbona Not Glue” *
11. “Commando” *
12. “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” *
13. “Surfin’ Bird” *
14. “Cretin Hop” *
15. “Listen To My Heart” *
16. “California Sun” *
17. “I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You” *
18. “Pinhead” *
19. “Do You Wanna Dance?” *
20. “Chain Saw” *
21. “Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World” *
22. “Now I Wanna Be A Good Boy” *
23. “Judy Is A Punk” *
24. “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue” *
25. “We’re A Happy Family” *

Ramones (l. to r.): Dee Dee, Tommy, Joey and Johnny

LP: 40th Anniversary Tracking Mix
“Cretin Hop”
“Rockaway Beach”
“Here Today, Gone Tomorrow”
“Locket Love”
“I Don’t Care” – Version 2
“It’s A Long Way Back To Germany” – Version 1
“We’re A Happy Family” 1.
“Teenage Lobotomy”
“Do You Wanna Dance?”
“I Wanna Be Well”
“I Can’t Give You Anything”
“Ramona”
“Surfin’ Bird”
“Why Is It Always This Way?”

* Previously Unreleased

Watch “Rockaway Beach” performed live