Tommy Ramone (1948 – 2014)

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Tommy Ramone, a co-founding member of The Ramones, passed away Friday after battling cancer. He was 62.

In the odd and quirky world of The Ramones, Tommy was the most rooted, rational, and even the most ‘normal’ member. While the other band members were still living with their parents and crashing on various couches, Tommy had is his own apartment, car and basically was taking care of himself. Tommy also did all of the heavy lifting behind the scenes; he wrote The Ramones’ first press release, booked shows and oversaw its business affairs during the formative years. When it was decided that Joey should sing and not play drums, Tommy – despite having no experience or formal training – stepped in. It proved to be a great move: Tommy’s aggressive, relentless style drumming laid the groundwork for which all punk-based bands followed – including his eventual replacement Marky Ramone.

Tommy Ramone’s other great contribution was in the role of producer. Before forming The Ramones, Tommy worked at the legendary Record Plant studios in New York and was an associate engineer for Jimi Hendrix’s Band Of Gypsys album. Working under the name ‘T. Erdelyi’ and often on a shoestring budget, Tommy added sonic brillance to the first three Ramones studio albums: Ramones, Leave Home and Rocket To Russia, the live album It’s Alive and their 1984 album Too Tough To Die. You can totally understand the band’s frustration as to why these albums didn’t crack the mainstream.

All essential punk – and rock n roll – listening.

Tommy’s post-Ramones output included producing The Replacements major label debut Tim and the album Neurotica by Redd Kross. He spent his later years performing bluegrass and country with his long time partner Claudia Tienan under the name Uncle Monk. Tommy also oversaw the remastering and reissues of classic Ramones material.

A top flight musician and producer, Tommy Ramone played a vital role in giving rock n roll a much needed kick in the crotch.

Rest in peace Tommy.

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Earl Douglas

Earl Douglas is a writer/photographer based in New York City. A frequent contributor to The Interrobang, Earl is also Executive Director for the New York chapter of The Black Rock Coalition. Earl worked in radio for nearly two decades at WNEW-FM and XM Satellite Radio, which included being the on-air producer for Carol Miller, Scott Muni and Ron & Fez, and a contributor to Opie & Anthony. Earl has also independently published a number of books including Black Rock Volume 1, Urban Abyss, Mobile Uploads, and For Shimmy. His latest project is the photojournalism magazine PRAXIS, which is available exclusively through Blurb.com.
Earl Douglas
Earl Douglas
Earl Douglas is a writer/photographer based in New York City. A frequent contributor to The Interrobang, Earl is also Executive Director for the New York chapter of The Black Rock Coalition. Earl worked in radio for nearly two decades at WNEW-FM and XM Satellite Radio, which included being the on-air producer for Carol Miller, Scott Muni and Ron & Fez, and a contributor to Opie & Anthony. Earl has also independently published a number of books including Black Rock Volume 1, Urban Abyss, Mobile Uploads, and For Shimmy. His latest project is the photojournalism magazine PRAXIS, which is available exclusively through Blurb.com.