Our legacy, your imagination

Discover the rich history behind 21st Century Imaginarium, a journey deeply rooted in the world of music and entertainment. It all began with our founder, Johnny Ramone, who started his adventure into the magical world of music and entertainment in 1953 whilst still at the Tiverton Grammar School, in the county of Devonshire, England. 

He volunteered for service with the Royal Air Force and whilst serving in Germany with the 2nd T.A.F. in Germany he was asked by Alisdair McDougall of the BBC to present a BFN radio programme called 'Musical Cocktail', which broadcast from Cologne, linking up with the BBC Forces Network.  His first actual Band - The Texans consisted of talented RAF friends stationed in RAF Bruggen.

After leaving the RAF he formed his first professional band, 'Johnny and the Strollers', and travelled to Europe where they performed at a number of British military establishments in Germany and Holland - and later to the USAF military bases in Germany.  During their touring engagements the band were taken into management by Nico Hinssen, a Dutch businessman, who offered management and through his efforts came their first recording contract. It was with the Dutch record label 'Telstar Records', and their first record 'I'll Never Find Another You' became extremely popular with the radio DJs in 1964.

In 1975 Johnny became one of the UK's top Government Licensed Entertainment Agents in the S.W. of England, the Johnny Ramone Entertainment Consultancy was working alongside such established companies as Ladbrokes Holiday and Hotels, booking hundreds of acts in Holiday centres, hotels, and clubs throughout the West Country and beyond.

In 1983 came the offer from the BBC to present, on the brand newly built BBC Radio Devon radio station in Exeter, a six-week pilot radio programme called 'Hits and Headlines'. His personality and warm style as a presenter was immediately popular with listeners and management alike - resulting in the six week 'pilot' programme extending for over a further six years.

In 1988 he was invited to record 2 singles in the prestigious Tom T. Hall recording studios in Nashville - 'As Long As You Love Me', and 'Where Did I Go Right'. both songs made the American top 20 airplay charts and were featured in Billboard and other important chart listings. His records were heavily featured in thousands of American radio stations from the Hollywood main radio relay service.

In 1990 he teamed up with Gina Madison, and as Phoenix USA the duo became a much sought after act in the UK and Europe.

Their big break came in 1994 they were offered a recording contract and management deal with a leading American company based in Florida. They signed and within a few short weeks they travelled with their management team to Nashville as 'Abby & Johnny' for more Nashville sessions, resulting in a ten track CD Album entitled Crossing The Pond.  The album also made the top 20 airplay charts and were heavily featured in thousands of leading Radio Stations throughout North America, the UK (BBC Radio 2 Network) and Europe.

The year 2026 will see them again team up as 'Abby & Johnny' for a new 10 track CD album - Rainbow's End which will feature Gina singing 3 brand new compositions of British song-writing sensation, Bobby-Jo Harris. The album is on the A.I.M. record label and is produced by Johnny himself.