NEW YORK (Top40 Charts) - Johnny Ramone, guitarist and co-founder of the legendary punk rock band, the Ramones, has died after a five-year battle with prostate cancer. He was 55.
The band's publicist says Ramone died in his sleep Wednesday at his Los Angeles home, surrounded by his friends and family.
Ramones is group from Forest Hills, New York. They started to play as trio in March 1974. Ritchie was replaced soon by Dee Dee Joey was at first drummer, but four months later manager Tommy become a drummer and let Joey sing. All Ramones take Ramone for surname. These original members were singer: Joey Ramone, lead guitar: Johnny Ramone, bassist: Dee Dee Ramone and drummer: Tommy Ramone. They got their first attention on the New York rockscene in August 1974. They got rousing approval from audiences in CBGB in the Manhattan Bowery district. Ramones played many times in CBGB and too all around N.Y.
Sire Records signed them in late 1975. Their first TV appearance was in Radio City Studios in N.Y 1975 and their debut LP, Ramones, came out in early 1976. This music was really fresh and vibrant. Ramones was invited punk. Their concerts included a summer visit to London. They saw there Damned and Clash in fourth of july. Clash was began in that day and Damned before in that week. Sex Pistols had started before, but they took the music be based on Ramones sound.
Second album Leave Home released early in 1977 and also they released Rocket To Russia in late 1977. Tommy left from the band in May 78 but remains producer. Marc Bell from Richard's Hells Voivods replaced Tommy. Followed the 'Road To Ruin' released in 78. They recorded legendary live album It's Alive at London's Rainbow Theatre at new year's eve 31.12.77.
They featured in Rock'N'Roll Highschool-film. 1981 they released Pleasant Dreams it was return to basics. Subterranean Jungle 1983 received strong support from critics. Several of whom compared it favourably with the best of group early work. Joey and Johnny were health problems and Marky leaves the group and is replaced by Richard Beau ex-Velveteen. They went to do complete Too Tough To Die 1984.
Animal Boy 1986, song-Bonzo Goes To Bitburg is a reference to a controversial visit by President Ronald Reagan to a nazi war grave. Halfway To Sanity released 1987. Collection album Ramonesmania released 1988, in this album were 30 song and something of each before released albums. By then Richie departed and Marky came back to drums. Brain Drain released 1989 and Pet Sematary had title track for Stephen King Film. Dee Dee leaves group to become rap performer Dee Dee King. His replacement had young Christopher Ward. Ramones is his first big band.
Sire released All The Stuff (And More) Vol.1 which compilated albums Ramones and Leave Home with 2 demo tracks and 1 other. These 3 tracks are previously unreleased tracks. All The Stuff (And More) Vol.2 compilated Rocket To Russia and Road To Ruin with 3 previously unreleased track. Loco Live is second live album from Ramones. It was recorded in Barcelona. 1992 released Mondo Bizarro contain Doors-cover Take It As It Comes. Ramones appears too in cartoon-program The Simpsons. They done more cover tracks and finally the whole albun Acid Eaters. Pete Townshend, Sebastian Bach and Traci Lords appears in this album. Album named Adios Amigos came out in summer 1995. That album was really strong performance from the Ramones and last studio album. Year 1996 was very busy and they got much famous and they released Greatest Hits Live, which featured too studio tracks R.A.M.O.N.E.S and Any Way You Want It.
Their Last gig was in Los Angeles, The Palace, 6.8.96.
The band, which gained critical acclaim and a huge following in New York's underground music scene at the time performing at clubs such as CBGB's, is widely credited for bringing the 'punk rock' genre to the forefront. The Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
Johnny Ramone is survived by his wife Linda Cummings and his mother Estelle Cummings. His body will be cremated during a private ceremony.
Johnny Ramone info:
Real name: John Cummings
Date and place of birth: October 8.1948, Long Island
Play on official albums: On every
Other bands: Tangerine Puppets
Something else: Johnny was the business-man on the band. He was a only child and it'll say that he is a prototype of a American people. He collected movieposters and photograph with autograph of famous people.
Some individual releases:
- Duet Go Lil' Camaro Go with Debbie Harry in August 1988
- Swing Cats: A Special Tribute To Elvis -album
Johnny's movie -appearances:
- "Ramones-movie" Rock'N'Roll Highschool (1979).
