In 1980, hearing the name “Ramones” didn’t ring the same bells as they do now.

For then-COD student, and now photography professor, Frank Jackowiak, hearing the Ramones were performing at COD rendered him near speechless. Past student activities employee and student Betsy Vogel described Jackowiak as, “the coolest guy in DuPage. Albeit aloof, and quite the artistic and journalist photographer.”

His spunk, love for punk, and ownership of a professional camera put Jackowiak in the position as the best photographer for the anticipated event. Thirty-six years later, these photos will be displayed in a pop-up event on Oct. 28.

As recalled by Vogel and Jackowiak, the Ramones were everything punk—leather jackets, messy hair, incredible on-stage energy—except their attitudes.

As Jackowiak entered the event, he quickly was drawn to the trays of deli meat set out for the band. His first and only one-on-one reaction was with Dee Dee Ramone, who confronted Jackowiak for stealing their food.

“Yeah, you’re the band, but you’re not the fucking Beatles,” said Jackowiak in response to Ramone. In the true spirit of punk rock, they laughed at their conversation and carried on.

Students arrived dressed for the event: leather, leopard, ripped clothes. They anticipated the intense punk angst, and the Ramones brought it, making the crowd unruly and energetic.

Taking his place in the front row, Jackowiak was engulfed in the energy of the Ramones.

“Their energy was intense,” said Jackowiak. “I remember thinking, ‘how do they do this show after show?’ I was a little jealous of their rock star status.”

Although the crowd was a “madhouse” and the band gave a true experience for the crowd, including a conga line, nobody expected this punk band to grow to become what they are today.

“I had no idea the Ramones would get as popular as they did,” said Jackowiak. “I did recognize they had musical talent. Something that I can pick out is when bands are ‘faking it,’ and they definitely were not.”

For those who could not attend May of 1980, the pop-up photo event is focused on making patrons feel as if they were at the show, not looking at pictures of a show. Photos have been blown up over 60 inches, making the band life size.

A deli tray, much like Jackowiak’s, will be available for visitors and a “merch” table will be selling prints from the show, shirts and stickers. Using an original Ramones negative, a darkroom demonstration will take place and The Ungrateful Punks will even be performing at 7:30 p.m.

“What is this punk rock?” will be on display in MAC 278 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.