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Posted on 17-9-2004
Punk Legend Johnny Ramone Dies
Thursday September 16, 2004, Johnny Ramone. Photograph: Kathy Willens/AP
Johnny Ramone, the co-founder of seminal punk band the Ramones, has died
at the age of 55, it was announced today.
The guitarist, who had fought a five-year battle against prostate cancer,
died in his sleep at his Los Angeles home yesterday afternoon. He was
surrounded by family and friends, Arturo Vega, the band's artistic
director, said.
"He was the guy with a strategy. He was the guy who not only looked after
the band's interest, but he also was their defender," Mr Vega told the
Associated Press.
Ramone, whose real name was John Cummings, founded the band with the three
other original members - singer Joey Ramone, bassist Dee Dee Ramone and
drummer Tommy Ramone - in 1974.
They changed their surnames to Ramone when they joined the band, taking
the name from Paul McCartney, who sometimes checked into hotels under the
pseudonym Paul Ramone at the height of Beatlemania.
The Ramones created a punk sound that was characterised by raw, fast,
short songs, and influenced a generation of rockers. Their songs included
I Wanna Be Sedated, Blitzkrieg Bop, Beat on the Brat and Baby, I Love You.
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
Joey Ramone, whose real name was Jeff Hyman, died of lymphatic cancer in
2001. Dee Dee Ramone, whose real name was Douglas Colvin, died of a drug
overdose in 2002. Tommy is the only surviving member of the original band.
With long black hair and clad in leather jackets, the Ramones began their
career in legendary New York clubs such as CBGB and Max's Kansas City,
where they performed songs unlike anything else being played at the time.
After hearing the band play in London in 1976, future members of the Clash
and the Sex Pistols picked up on the sound.
Following the release of their debut album in 1976, the Ramones struggled
for commercial success but left a formidable imprint on the rock genre,
with their sound influencing bands such as Green Day and Nirvana.
Bruce Springsteen wrote Hungry Heart for the Ramones after seeing them
perform in Asbury Park, New Jersey, but his manager persuaded him to keep
the song for himself and it became a hit single.
The Ramones worked with big names including the producer Phil Spector, who
collaborated with them in 1980. Dee Dee Ramone later said Spector had
pulled a gun on the band during the session.
"The Ramones had it rough," Vega - who worked with them for 30 years -
said. "The band almost had to be protected from people who were taking
advantage of them. There was never any money made."
Johnny Ramone, however, kept a close watch on the band's budget, with Vega
recalling that he would insist they drove non-stop between Boston and New
York for shows rather than spending the night in a hotel.
In addition to his financial conservatism, the guitarist was politically
conservative - the late Ronald Reagan was his favourite president, Vega
said.
Fans have remained loyal to the Ramones, and the band also showed loyalty
to their fans. In 1979, while shooting scenes for the film Rock'n'Roll
High School, the Ramones - ignoring the director's orders - played a
concert-length session for fans who had paid to be extras.
"The Ramones never ever lost their image, their aura of being the ultimate
underdog, the voice of the angry young man," Vega said.
A tribute concert and cancer research fundraiser was held in Los Angeles
on Sunday to mark the band's 30th anniversary. It featured performances
from Los Angeles punk band X, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Henry Rollins and
others.
Along with his wife, Linda Cummings, friends including Pearl Jam rocker
Eddie Vedder, singer Rob Zombie, Lisa Marie Presley, Pete Yorn, Vincent
Gallo and Talia Shire were gathered at Ramone's bedside yesterday.
He is survived by his wife and his mother, Estelle Cummings, and will be
cremated in a private ceremony.
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