Ruby and the Rednecks is an American

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...

band from

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

, inspired by the

New York Dolls New York Dolls were an American rock music, rock band formed in New York City in 1971. Along with the Velvet Underground, the MC5, and the Stooges, they were one of the first bands of the early punk rock scenes. Although the band never achieved ...

and created by the singer, songwriter, playwright and actress

Ruby Lynn Reyner Ruby Lynn Reyner (January 27, 1948 – March 10, 2024) was an American singer, songwriter, musical playwright and actress known as the star of the Playhouse of the Ridiculous and associated as the leader of the glam rock band Ruby and the Redne ...

with collaborating musical artists in 1970 and active until today. The band was originally composed of Ruby Lynn Reyner (lead vocals), John Madera (guitar and backing vocal), George Basley (drums), Augie Sabini (saxophone), Bobby Kent (drums), Susan Lampert (keyboard and backing vocal), and Danny Couse (bass guitar), but currently has a new formation. From the original group, only Lampert remains. Ruby wrote most of the lyrics herself. John Madera was praised as a guitar player. Currently they are mostly playing at

Max's Kansas City Max's Kansas City was a nightclub and restaurant at 213 Park Avenue South in New York City, which became a gathering spot for musicians, poets, artists, and politicians in the 1960s and 1970s. It was opened by Mickey Ruskin (1933–1983) in Dece ...

and

CBGB CBGB was a New York City music club opened in 1973 by Hilly Kristal in the East Village, Manhattan, East Village in Manhattan, New York City. The club was previously a biker bar and before that was a dive bar. The letters ''CBGB'' were for ''Cou ...

's Reunions.

History

The band formed during glam rock era in the 1970s in New York. They debuted at the

Mercer Arts Center The Kitchen is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary avant-garde performance and experimental art institution located at 512 West 19th Street, between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. As the orga ...

opening for

, where

Patti Smith Patricia Lee Smith (born December 30, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, poet, painter, author, and photographer. Her 1975 debut album '' Horses'' made her an influential member of the New York City-based punk rock movement. Smith has fu ...

used to read poetry to open the concerts for Ruby and the Rednecks and other bands such as Teenage Lust and the

. Michael Arian said, "Ruby was just extraordinary and was very, very entertaining". Ruby and the Rednecks were one of the staples of the Mercer's scene, appearing on the bill at the New Year's Eve 1972 gig with the

Modern Lovers The Modern Lovers were an American rock band formed in Natick, Massachusetts in 1970 by Jonathan Richman. The original band existed from 1970 to 1974 but their recordings were not released until 1976 or later. It featured Richman and bassist ...

Suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Risk factors for suicide include mental disorders, physical disorders, and substance abuse. Some suicides are impulsive acts driven by stress (such as from financial or ac ...

Jayne County Jayne County (born Wayne Rogers) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, and visual artist whose career has spanned six decades. Under the name Wayne County (inspired by Wayne County, Michigan), she was the vocalist of infl ...

, and the

. In 1973, the building housing the Mercer Arts Center collapsed and

and

CBGB's CBGB was a New York City music club opened in 1973 by Hilly Kristal in the East Village in Manhattan, New York City. The club was previously a biker bar and before that was a dive bar. The letters ''CBGB'' were for ''Country, Bluegrass, Blue ...

became the stage for bands like the New York Dolls, Suicide,

Television Television (TV) is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. Additionally, the term can refer to a physical television set rather than the medium of transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, ...

the Dictators The Dictators are an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973. Known for their acerbic and provocative approach in their music, the Dictators underwent several changes in their lineups. Its founding members included musicians Andy " ...

, and the

Ramones The Ramones were an American punk rock band formed in the New York City neighborhood Forest Hills, Queens in 1974. Known for helping establish the punk movement in the United States and elsewhere, the Ramones are often recognized as one of th ...

. Thus the group became part of the early punk rock movement, and performed on the New York Club circuit during the 1970s with other noted artists including the

Talking Heads Talking Heads were an American Rock music, rock band formed in New York City in 1975.Talking Heads

, Blondie, the

Patti Smith Group Patricia Lee Smith (born December 30, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, poet, painter, author, and photographer. Her 1975 debut album '' Horses'' made her an influential member of the New York City-based punk rock movement. Smith has fu ...

and the New York Dolls. Ruby and the Rednecks released two albums produced by Peter Crowley and Ruby Lynn Reyner: ''From the Wrong side of Town'' and ''Live Again! At CBGB's''.

Original members

– lead vocals * John Madera – guitar and backing vocal * George Basley – drums * Augie Sabini – saxophone * Bobby Kent – drums * Susan Lampert – keyboard and backing vocal * Ralph Czitron on bass

Other members

* Steeve Greenfield – saxophones * Mike Grner – fretless bar guitar * Ron Salvo – drums * Emma 'Cha Cha' – channing – backing vocals * 'Wil' Bill Thompson – guitars * Sonic Uke – ukeleles * Danny Couse – bass and keyboards * Mary Rodriguez – drums and bass * Doug Sako – drums

Discography

Albums

* ''From the Wrong Side of Town'' * ''Live Again! At CBGB's''

Compilation albums

* ''Max's Kansas City 1976 & Beyond'' (2017) * ''Rock and Roll Lips: The Best of Ruby and the Rednecks'' * ''Nightclubbing: The Birth of Punk Rock in NYC''

References

External links

* {{Authority control American glam rock musical groups Musical groups established in 1970 Musical groups from New York City