I'm sure there are plenty of you out there who would like to be rock stars without having to go through the annoying ritual of actually learning how to play. While this may be entirely possible, highly discourages this approach since it lowers your chances of becoming a star by at least 10 percent. The better strategy is to adhere to the traditional steps taken by most rock musicians, such as the Ramones, in your quest for stardom.

Why the reference to the Ramones? To put it simply, who better to use as a role model than New York City's hardest working band when documenting how to climb to the top of the music business. The Ramones were neither an overnight success nor mega-stars in any sense of the terms. The band went through 20 grueling years before reaching their current status as certified rock stars. And although they have supposedly closed the final chapter in their long, colorful career with the Adios Amigos Tour, their legacy will live on for years to come.

Therefore, without any further adieu, we present "Rock Stardom 101," with all requisite apologies to Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, Tommy, Richie, C.J. and Elvis (A.K.A. Clem Burke) Ramone.

Step 1. Learn How to Play

As previously mentioned, we highly recommend that all members of any band learn how to play their instruments before the group engages in any live performances or spends any significant amount of time in a recording studio.

When the Ramones first the hit the rock circuit roughly 20 years ago, all members had at least a fundamental grasp of their respective instruments. Tommy Ramone, for instance, spent the better part of two weeks mastering the drums before the band played its first gig at CBGB. And although Dee Dee has occasionally admitted that he never actually learned the notes on his bass and just "thump[ed] away on one string," he is nevertheless – in our opinion – one hell of a thumper, perhaps the best in the business.

Step 2. Assemble an Impressive Repertoire

Regardless of what one thinks of the Ramones, it cannot be denied that their tunes are catchy, if not downright masterful for their simple, melodic phrasings. Should you ever hope to attain the level of stardom enjoyed by the Ramones, we highly suggest that you make a concerted effort to write the most impressive body of songs possible.

From the beginning, the Ramones had the songwriting process down to a science. Included in the band's first performances were such classics as "I Don't Wanna Go Down to the Basement," "I Don't Wanna Walk Around with You," "I Don't Wanna Get Involved with You," "I Don't Wanna Be Learned, I Don't Wanna Be Tamed," "I Don't Like Nobody that Don't Like Me," and "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue."

From such auspicious beginnings, the stuff of greatness is made.

Step 3. Do Not Bore the Crowd

If ever there was a kiss of death for the modern rock band, it is to bore the audience to tears. As obvious as this may sound, it is amazing how many local groups actually miss the mark here in the most egregious manner.

Once again, the Ramones serve as a prime example of how to successfully avert this disaster. A Ramones song is both short and fast. In fact, in their early days, a typical Ramones set was clocked by certain audience members at just under 18 minutes although the set comprised a total of 20 songs.

Whether this is an exaggeration of sorts remains open to argument. The point is that the Ramones never dawdled. In fact, a critic or two has been known to state that the purpose of a Ramones song often seems to be to finish it as quickly as humanly possible. The longest Ramones track on record? Halfway to Sanity’s "Bye Bye Baby" clocks in at 4:33.

Step 4. Hang In There, Baby

The power of persistence goes a long way in the rock business as it does with most any undertaking in life. A few personnel changes notwithstanding, the Ramones have stayed together through 20 grinding years. In 1989, after 15 years of playing with the band, Dee Dee Ramone gave an interview in which he said, "People always ask why we're still together ... [It's] because we don't have a hit single and we still gotta work for a living." He then promptly quit the band a few weeks later.

Adios Amigos