Thomas Erdelyi, aka Tommy Ramone
January 29, 1949-July 11, 2014
Drummer Tommy Ramone, the last surviving original member of legendary punk rock band the Ramones, died yesterday after a battle with bile duct cancer. Ramone was 65. A spokesperson confirmed that the former Ramones drummer had been in hospice care since receiving treatment for his cancer. Ramone, born Erdellyi Tamas in Budapest, was one quarter of the original line-up of the Ramones. With singer Joey Ramone, guitarist Johnny Ramone and bassist Dee Dee Ramone, the Ramones were formed in 1974. Their influential debut album, released in 1976, had finally achieved gold status earlier this year. Ramone would play on the band's next two albums, Leave Home and Rocket to Russia until he left in 1978. Although Ramone left, he would later go on to produce several of the band's other albums including Road to Ruin and Too Tough To Die.
It's very sad to hear that Tommy has passed away. With Tommy's passing, all four of the original members of the Ramones have died. Joey died from lymphoma in 2001, Dee Dee died from a cocaine overdose the following year in 2002 and Johnny died from prostate cancer in 2004. Even though Tommy wasn't in the band for very long, he had an important role in what made the Ramones such a great band. The surviving members of the Ramones (all replacement members) are now Marky, Richie and CJ (you can also throw in Clem Burke, aka Elvis Ramone, but he was in the band for two shows!).
Rest in peace, Tommy.
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