Drummer, songwriter, producer, and rock hero Tommy Ramone has died. Ramone had been in hospice and died last night from bile duct cancer. He was 65 years old. The Ramones' official Facebook page announced the sad news last night:
"We are saddened to announce the passing of Tommy Ramone (nee Erdelyi), the original drummer for the Ramones, earlier today, 11 July 2014.
"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." - Tommy Ramone, 1978"
The Ramones' Facebook page confirmed Tommy was 65 years old (born January 29th, 1949). Several news reports have erroneously been reporting his age as 62.
Tommy Ramone was the last living original member of the Ramones: Joey Ramone died in 2001, bassist Dee Dee Ramone in 2002, and guitarist Johnny Ramone in 2004.
R.I.P. Tommy Ramone
Links to Tommy Ramone tributes/obituaries:
Rolling Stone
CNN
The Guardian
Los Angeles Times
BBC News
BBC video interview
Published July 12th, 2014 @ 8:27 AM