Did you grow up listening to The Ramones?
They were one of the best rock bands of their generation and had a unique sound – that
still hasn’t been replicated today.
While it might have seemed like they were all brothers, none of the ‘Ramones’ were
actually related.
Nevertheless, they had a comradery that helped them work together to create their unique
sound.
They were often considered to be the first true rock band from the punk rock genre.
Sadly, many of the Ramones members have passed away.
Their lives were incredible and can serve as an inspiration to us all.
While we learn about their deaths, let’s not forget about their lives…
Join FactsVerse to learn about each of the Ramones members’ deaths and their incredible
lives and legacies…
JOEY RAMONE
Joey Ramone was born as Jeffrey Ross Hyman in New York City on May 19, 1951.
He attended Forest Hills High School, which is where he would meet the other future members
of The Ramones.
As a young man, he grew up loving rock music which was becoming increasingly popular and
was the rebellious genre that defined Americana.
He loved both American and British rock performers such as The Stooges, The Who, The Beatles,
and David Bowie.
He knew that one day, he would become a successful musician like his idols.
He first began studying the drums in his early teens and then switched his focus to the acoustic
guitar at the age of 17.
After completing high school, he was determined to make it as a rock musician.
In 1972, Joey joined a band called Sniper.
This group was one of the early 'glam punk' bands and Jeffrey wanted to be a major influencer
with this unique genre.
He performed under the name Jeff Starship and toured with Sniper until 1974, when he
was replaced by a new band member – Alan Turner.
Despite this setback, Jeff was determined to make it as a rock musician.
He knew that he needed more control over a band if he wanted to stick out in the industry.
The year he left Sniper, he reunited with some of his friends from high school to start
a new band.
The band was called The Ramones – and each member would have to adopt ‘Ramone’ as
their stage name.
This came from member Douglas Colvin who was already performing under the stage name ‘Dee
Dee Ramone.’
Jeff was now Joey Ramone and with The Ramones, he became one of the world’s most well-known
punk rock musicians.
He initially served as the band’s drummer before switching to vocals.
He also had a successful solo career.
Sadly, Joey Ramone’s life was short-lived.
He developed lymphoma in the mid-1990s and kept his illness private for several years.
He died due to complications from the disease on April 15, 2001 – just a month before
turning 50 years old.
While Joey Ramone’s life was short-lived, he managed to achieve a lot and became one
of the most influential voices in punk rock.
His legacy lives on today and he serves as an inspiration to many aspiring musicians
and singer-songwriters.
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Now, back to the video…
JOHNNY RAMONE
John William Cummings was born on October 8, 1948, in New York City.
Growing up in Forest Hills, he grew up loving rock music.
It wasn’t long until he decided that he too, wanted to pursue a career in music.
As a teenager, he joined some of his high school friends to create a band.
One of them was Tamás Erdélyi who would later be known as ‘Tommy Ramone.’
The band was called Tangerine Puppets and it’s where Johnny began honing his guitar
playing and songwriting skills.
However, the Tangerine Puppets didn’t go too far, and Johnny had to spend time working
as a plumber along with his father.
Nevertheless, he was determined to make it as a musician and songwriter.
During the early 1970s, Johnny was working a gig in which he had to deliver clothing
from the dry cleaners, he came across a young man named Douglas Colvin.
Johnny and Douglas began hanging out and they’d often discuss their love for rock music and
their desire to create music.
The two of them later met Jeffrey Hyman and decided to establish the band The Ramones.
Later on, Tamás would join the band.
The Ramones would become one of the most prominent punk bands of all time and Johnny Ramone received
much acclaim for his guitar performance and songwriting skills.
He was also an occasional actor and writer.
Johnny Ramone sadly passed away on September 15, 2004, at the age of 55 – 23 days before
he would have turned 56.
He is remembered for his excellent musical talents as well as his acting appearances
in films like Rock n Roll High School and Stranded.
A memorial of his life is held every year at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery – where
he was buried.
DEE DEE RAMONE
Douglas Colvin was born on September 18, 1951, in Fort Lee, Virginia.
His father was an American soldier, and his mother was from Germany.
He spent much of his formative years growing up in Germany – mostly in Berlin.
At the age of 15, his mother decided to leave Douglas’ father who had sadly become an
alcoholic by that time.
The family left Germany and returned to the United States.
They moved to Forest Hills, New York where Douglas would graduate from high school.
His tumultuous life took a turn for the better when he moved to Forest Hills as he met John
Cummings and Tamás Erdélyi at school.
The three of them shared a love for rock music and eventually began creating music together
– first in Tangerine Puppets, and later, for The Ramones.
By the mid-1970s, a new band was formed.
It was Douglas who came up with the name ‘Ramone.’
He read that Paul McCartney, at the height of his popularity, would often check into
hotels using the name ‘Paul Ramone.’
He came up with the nickname ‘Dee Dee’ for himself and suggested that each band member
adopt the fictitious surname Ramone as part of their persona.
Collectively, they’d be known as The Ramones.
Dee Dee Ramone served as a guitarist for The Ramones and was also a songwriter for the
band.
He wrote many of the band’s most famous songs including “Glad to see You Go,”
“53rd and 3rd” “Chinese Rocks” and “It’s a Long Way Back.”
He also had a short-lived solo career including as a rapper!
He also wrote his memoirs and also published a novel called Chelsea Hotel.
He was lauded as one of the driving forces behind the band’s success – in spite of
his troubled personal life.
Dee Dee Ramone’s troubles involved struggles with his mental health as well as drug use.
He sadly died on June 5, 2002, from a heroin overdose.
Like his bandmate, Johnny, he is buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Dee Dee Ramone also remains an inspiration to many aspiring musicians.
His life wasn’t as stable as many of his fellow bandmates.
But he was proof that with perseverance, anyone can succeed regardless of the circumstances
of their lives.
His death was tragic, but one must also remember the beauty of his life.
TOMMY RAMONE
Tamás Erdélyi, also known as Thomas, was born on January 29, 1948, in Budapest, Hungary.
His parents were both Jewish and worked as professional photographers.
They both escaped the Nazis by hiding from them for several years.
The family decided to flee Hungary following the revolution of 1956.
In 1957, the family arrived in the United States and first lived in the South Bronx.
However, when they moved to Forest Hills, Thomas felt he was at home.
With some of his high school friends, he created the Tangerine Puppets and he would later become
a musician, singer, songwriter, and producer for The Ramones!
He wrote ‘I Want to be Your Boyfriend’ and was a major contributor to ‘Blitzkreig
Bop.’
He also managed the band and worked behind the scenes to help produce many of the band’s
most popular albums.
He wasn’t just a talented artist but also a successful businessman.
Even after taking a break from playing music, he continued to produce with The Ramones – including
producing their albums Road to Ruin, Too Tough To Die, and Brain Drain.
He also served as a member for the bluegrass band Uncle Monk.
He was perhaps one of the quieter members of the band but his talents spoke volumes.
While it’s often not discussed, Tommy Ramone’s life is symbolic of the American Dream.
His family came to the United States without much and he worked his way to becoming one
of America’s most talented artists.
He was an immigrant who made an incredible contribution to American culture.
Tommy Ramone sadly passed away at the age of 65 on Jully 11, 2014 at his home in Queens,
New York.
He had been suffering from bile duct cancer and had spent time in the hospice.
He’s remembered fondly not just by his fans but by the surviving members of The Ramones
– including those who joined after his departure.
The Ramones were a great band because of their uniqueness.
It was truly fate that 4 unique personalities met in Forest Hills, New York, and became
legends in the American music scene.
Are you a fan of The Ramones?
Do you think that their music is still popular today and influences contemporary bands?
Or has their style, sadly, become dated and doesn’t appeal to newer generations?
Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
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