Tommy Ramone dead: The Ramones last surviving member dies aged 65

The Ramones founding member Tommy Ramone has died aged 65 in New York, the group has announced.

The drummer died in hospice care on Friday following treatment for bile duct cancer, US media report.

Born in Hungary, Tommy Ramone immigrated to the US in the 1950s.

He started The Ramones with three friends from a New York high-school in 1974. The band has been credited with the invention of punk rock.

Although The Ramones were never commercially successful, their unique sound helped shape rock music and is still often cited as inspirations to new generations of musicians.

Tommy Ramone started The Ramones with three friends from a New York high-school in 1974 (photo Wikipedia)

The Ramons’ hit songs I Wanna Be Sedated and Blitzkrieg Bop, among others, earned them an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

News of Tommy Ramone’s death was announced on the band’s official Facebook page.

He was the group’s drummer from 1974 to 1978, and co-produced their first three albums.

Born Erdelyi Tamas, he along with the other band members decided to change their last names to Ramone.

They kicked off their career at the legendary CBGB music club in Manhattan, a hotspot for punk rock and new wave bands.

The Ramones, known for their long hair, leather jackets, ripped jeans and fast musical style, quickly developed a cult following across the US.

The act disbanded in 1996 after two decades of relentless touring.

By 2004, three of the founding musicians – lead singer Joey Ramone, guitarist Johnny Ramone and bassist Dee Dee Ramone – had passed away.

Johnny Ramone died in 2004 of prostate cancer. Joey Ramone died in 2001 of lymphatic cancer. In 2002, Dee Dee Ramone died from a heroin overdose.

Tommy Ramone was the last surviving member of the band.

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