Tommy Ramone, Last Original Member of the Ramones, Passes Away at 62

2014-07-12

Story by Anne Erickson

The last living founding member of the Ramones, Tommy Ramone, has passed away

Tommy Ramone, the last original member of the Ramones, has passed away at 62. Tommy’s death was confirmed via the legendary punk group’s official Twitter account early this morning (July 12): “We are saddened to announce the passing of Ramones founding drummer Tommy (Erdelyi) Ramone. #RIPTommyRamone.”

Tommy lost his battle to bile duct cancer.

Tommy and the Ramones debuted their kinetic live performance at New York’s legendary punk club, CBGB, starting in 1974. Their self-titled debut was recorded for $6,400 in 1976, and although it wasn’t a big commercial hit at the time, the album eventually became known as one of punk rock’s most respected collections. Tommy’s drumming appeared on the debut album, as well as the two following releases, “Leave Home” and “Rocket to Russia.”

Tommy left the Ramones after the band’s third album to focus on producing and doing studio work. He soon became a sough-after producer and also joined the bluegrass duo Uncle Monk.

The Ramones broke up in 1996 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Joey Ramone passed away of lymphoma one year before the Rock Hall induction. Dee Dee Ramone passed away in 2002 of a drug overdose, and Johnny Ramone died in 2004 after a battle with prostate cancer.




Anne Erickson
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