Joey Ramone and the punk venue that was made for junkies: “A decadent scene”

Joey Ramone described Max’s Kansas City as a more decadent hangout than CBGB, New York’s better-known punk venue. His recollection highlights how the two clubs helped shape the city’s early punk scene while attracting different crowds and reputations.

Max’s opened in 1965 and became known for its bohemian back room, first associated with Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground, and later with glam and punk musicians. Ramone said the Ramones played both clubs, despite rumours of pressure to choose between them; there is little evidence of formal exclusivity contracts, though an informal practice of spacing dates by about two weeks was reported.