Sad news from the world of rock-and-roll: Johnny Ramone, guitarist for legendary punk band the Ramones, passed away yesterday at the age of 55 after a five-year battle with prostate cancer. Word has it the musician's death was a peaceful one; Rolling Stone reports that he died in his sleep.
The news is especially sad when one recalls that the Ramones have lost three of their members in recent years: Frontperson Joey Ramone died from lymphatic cancer in 2001, and a drug overdose took bassist Dee Dee Ramone the following year. Too tough to die? Apparently not.
It is hard to fathom that there would be so much loss for a band that gave joy and inspiration to so many people...
I remember seeing the band at New York's CBGB's numerous times back in the day (even chatted up Joey once at the Hard Rock Café), as does Spousal Unit, who today is sharing marvelous stories about his 1980s encounters with Joey, Johnny, and the other band members with David and me. What we both recall most was the energy the band generated — the music was based around a few rudimentary chords; the lyrics were more than a few steps below the level of Shakespearean prose. But we were young then — the spouse, me, our friends, the band — and the Ramones gave us music that celebrated our freedom, our rebellion, our youth. A generation later, listening to old Ramones tunes reminds me of what it felt like to be young, unencumbered, and free.
The successive loss of three-fourths of the band in such a short time (technically, two Ramones remain — drummer Marky and Tommy, his replacement) has left SU and me distraught, naturally, and a bit dizzy too. Not only are we losing fellow humans (who happen to be Hall of Fame-approved rock legends) — which is loss enough, really — but their passings remind us that our youth is long gone. And our time will run out sooner than we think.
Rest in peace, Johnny. Tell Joey and Dee Dee "gabba gabba hey" for Jeff and me. Marky and Tommy, stick around for a while — a long while.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Bittersweet, very nicely conveyed. Thanks Nat! It is sad and strange. I suppose we should give CJ Ramone some credit, Dee Dee's replacement, he played with them for quite a while and wasn't even included in the Hall of Fame induction.
2 - Jim Carruthers
I was just starting to write a piece about Johnny, because I noticed nothing had been posted all day.
But really, by most accounts, Johnny was a prick. And he probably hated the fact that Joey and Dee Dee stole his thunder.
But he was what held the group together and let them go on as long as they did.
So here's to you Johnny. We're a happy family, living in Queens and eating re-fried beans.
3 - Eric Olsen
Solonor also had a nice quiet take this morning.
4 - godoggo
As I read the obit I relived the moment when I was the beneficiary of his famous thuggish glare. Even from a distance I could feel that he truly disliked me. RIP
5 - NR Davis
Talk about a blast from the past...
Yeah, Johnny was a prick, but he was our prick.
Thanks for the book recommendation; I'll see if the local library has it.