AA.VV.
Rock'n'Roll High School

THE REVIEW

Ramones - "Rock'n'roll high school" (1978)

Well, it's not just the Ramone brothers, but since most of the songs are written by them... This is the soundtrack of a very amusing American B movie that has become a small cult over the years thanks to the private TV circuit. In its own way, it calls back to both the school-themed teen films and their world, and to the music promo films – in the style of the 60s-70s Italian "musicarelli" – as well as the Dantean circle of alternative musicals, with choreographed dance scenes in the film.

The film and music of "Rock'n'roll high school" revolve around the days before the Ramones' arrival in an American town, featuring a ditzy protagonist who's a huge fan of the band. The brothers perform the title track, plus a splendid cover of "Come on let's go" by Ritchie Valens along with several live pieces, and ultimately help destroy the despised high school in the end. There are also several musical gems: Chuck Berry, Todd Rundgren, Brian Eno, the Devo, "Smokin in the boys room" by Brownsville Station, which would be brought back to success by Motley Crue, and finally Alice Cooper with the legendary "School's out", which closes this rock anthology soundtrack accompanying the final scene of the school burning.