Craig Leon was producing the Ramones’ 1976 self-titled debut album when someone recommended a young singer living in Connecticut to handle backing vocals.

The band’s label, Sire Records, refused to pay for his train ticket to New York City.

That’s how close Michael Bolton came to singing on one of the most influential punk records ever made.

“It was real homemade stuff, because we couldn’t pay anybody,” Leon told Spin Magazine in May.

Leon first saw the Ramones in 1975 at New York’s famed CBGB and found their rawness refreshing.

“I wasn’t anti-folk or against bands like the Eagles,” Leon said. “I was against the way that they made records.”

Sire initially offered the Ramones a singles deal. Leon advised them to turn it down, proposing to make an album for the budget two singles. Sire agreed, leaving Leon and the Ramones with approximately one week and $6,400 to work with.

Recording sessions took place at Plaza Sound, located above Radio City Music Hall.…