Tommy Ramone

I heard the sad news that Tommy Ramone has died, the last of the original Ramones. I heard it on the news bulletin on the Radio 4 'Today' programme this morning and it's nice that his passing was recognised on a programme as far from punk as you could get.

Tommy Erdelyi was the drummer with the Ramones on their first three albums that hold so many classic and influential songs. He took over the drums when Joey became the singer at the front. I never saw him play with the Ramones but I did see him as part of the Uncle Monk duo playing bluegrass music when he supported Buffy Sainte-Marie at the Highline Ballroom in New York in 2008. He played guitar and sang gently, no drums in sight, and you can download his album, 'Uncle Monk'. He came out to see Buffy and take some photos and when he came into the audience after the show I had to go up to him and shake his hand. He was a Ramone after all.

The last time I heard anything about Tommy was when he was in the video for Joey Ramone's song, 'New York City' on his posthumous album 'Ya Know?' a couple of years ago. Tommy is featured at about 1:20 into the video holding up the street sign for Joey Ramone Place. It's nice that he pays tribe to his brother wearing the mandatory leather jacket.

The first tweet I saw about Tommy this morning was from Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols who tweeted "RIP tommy, that's the last one to go." He would've met Tommy when they first came over to London in the '70s. The Ramones helped to change the face of music in the '70s but never really made it big despite influencing virtually everybody that came after them. I saw them play in 1980 or 1981, after Tommy left the band so I'm pleased I saw Uncle Monk.

I shall play my Ramones albums today. Loudly. Gabba Gabba Hey Tommy!

Joey Ramone

Did you now that there are two solo Joey Ramone records? Joey died in 2001 and both were released posthumously, firstly 'Don't Worry About Me' in 2002 and then 'Ya Know?' in 2012. Both are excellent (obv) and include the expected as well as the surprising - buzzsaw 3 minute rockers and slower, more thoughtful, songs.

My first Ramones song was 'Judy Is A Punk' on a sampler album in 1977. I only saw The Ramones play once, back in around 1980 after the explosion of punk. I still remember the stick figure that was Joey in ripped jeans, leather jacket, shades and hair covering his face - the stereotype that Joey created for himself was there on stage. I saw one of Joey's former 'brothers', Tommy Ramone, when his new band Uncle Monk supported Buffy Sainte-Marie at a gig in New York in 2008. It's not everyday you meet a Ramone so when he came out into the audience after his set I had to shake his hand. Some things are important.

Every now and then Joey pops up on my iPod and his distinctive voice and delivery makes me pay attention. One of the most poignant songs is 'Life's A Gas' that closes 'Ya Know?' when he sings, 'Life's a gas, so don't be sad cause I'll be there, don't be sad at all.' Sorry, Joey, I can't help it.

The Ramones and Joey will always be associated with New York. Joey even has a block of East 2nd Street named after him and the sign for 'Joey Ramone Place' is reported to be the most stolen street sign in New York. I suspect he'd be pleased about that. There's also a great video for Joey's song, 'New York City' (in which he sings, "I'm proud to make my home in New York City"). I think it's Joey's brother that opens and closes the video. Everyone wears a leather jacket (of course) and it's a delight to see Tommy Ramone hold up the 'Joey Ramone Place' street sign at about 1:20 minutes into the video. Once a Ramone always a Ramone and it's a proud heritage.