From
Forest Hills, New York.Led by Joey Ramone (Jeff Hyman)(vocals) with Johnny Ramone (John
Cummings)(guitar),
Dee Dee Ramone (Douglas Colvin)(guitar) and
Tommy Ramone (Tom Erdelyi)(drums).This NYC punk band dominated the scene and spread its seeds to
the UK during a historic tour that had a large influence on the British
punk movement.Formed in 1974, drummer Tommy was the first to leave the band to
concentrate on a career as a producer.His replacement was Marky Ramone (Marc Bell).The band stayed in a fairly stable line-up until Dee Dee's
departure and
Marky would leave as well.Replacement Ramones would include Richie (Richie Reinhardt) and
C.J. (Christopher
Joseph Ward).After 21 years, the band finally called it quits.Often dismissed over the years as to their importance, it is
clear that
without The Ramones, our vision of modern rock today would be vastly
different.Apparently part of the reason for the The Ramones' breakup was
due in
part to Joey's failing health.In 2000 it was revealed that he was suffering from lymphoma to
which he
succumbed to on Easter
Sunday, April 15, 2001. With his passing, marks an ending to the first true era of punk
rock,
many of his peers may have beaten him to the grave through drug
overdose or
accident but Joey's end is a more definitive ending to not only his
band but an
entire era that inspired countless hundreds of bands to follow in their
three
chord footsteps. Marky played with Dee Dee in The Ramainz and has released two
cd's with
his own band The Intruders.Dee Dee died of a drug overdose, ironically, in 2002.Johnny who happily retired and never wanted to play another
guitar again,
also developed cancer in 2000.He kept silent about it though, perhaps wanting Joey's legacy to
remain
forefront. Johnny died of cancer, September 15, 2004.
1976-96.
