The Ramones Drummer Dies: Tommy Ramone, Last Original Member of the New York Punk Band Dies
Tommy Ramone, a co-founder and drummer for legendary New York punk band the Ramones, passed away on Friday, an associate said, according to The Associated Press.
Ramone, whose birth name was Erdelyi Tamas, died after a bout with bile duct cancer, and his wife confirmed the news, NME reported. He was born in Budapest, Hungary, and died at age 62.
Tommy founded the Ramones in 1974 along with singer Joey Ramone, bassist Dee Dee Ramone and guitarist Johnny Ramone. All four of the members had different last names but assumed the common name Ramone.
The Ramones became an iconic punk rock band with popular songs like "I Wanna Be Sedated" and "Blitzkrieg Bop." The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
Prior to Tommy Ramone's passing, Johnny, birth name John Cummings, died in 2004 of prostate cancer; Joey, real name Jeff Hyman, died in 2001 of lymphatic cancer; Dee Dee, real name Douglas Colvin, dies in 2002 of a drug overdose, AP reported.
As news of Ramone's passing spread, there was an outpouring of tributes to the rocker on Twitter, NME reported.
"Just found out that Tommy Ramone died today. One of the most ground breaking drummers and producers ever. And always nice. #PunkPartyLegend," Tweeted performer Andrew W.K.
"Another legend gone today Tommy Ramone the original Ramones drummer. A reunion in the sky is in order. . RIP Punk Rocker," Tweeted Matt Sorum, drummer for Guns 'N Roses.
In a commemorative post, the band's Facebook page posted this Tommy Ramone quote: "It wasn't just music in The Ramones: It was an idea. It was bringing back a whole feel that was missing in rock music -- it was a whole push outwards to say something new and different. Originally it was just an artistic type of thing; finally I felt it was something that was good enough for everybody."
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