And that's the question, right? I like the ramones because they are loud, fast, and catchy. Is that enough to call it good music?

They were influential because they ushered in a new style of playing music. I remember reading an interview with The Clash and someone (Strummer?) mentioned that when the Ramones first played in london it was like a bomb going off. They were amazed that a band could play so fast and they all went home and tried to replicate it.

Originality is part of it. Today a band that sounded exactly like the ramones probably wouldn't go far because it's already been done.

Its a fascinating topic for me.