Tommy Ramone, the last surviving original member of punk band the Ramones, dies aged 62

By CHELSEA WHITE

PUBLISHED: 01:23 EST, 12 July 2014 | UPDATED: 01:34 EST, 12 July 2014

They were a band that defined a musical genre, a style and remain a pop culture staple but on Friday the last surviving member of the Ramones original line up passed away.

Drummer Tommy Ramone died in Queens, New York, aged 62, in a hospice following treatment for bile duct cancer.

Late Friday the band's official Facebook confirmed the music legend had passed.

Passed away: Drummer Tommy Ramone, pictured 2012, died on Friday in Queens, New York, aged 62, in a hospice following treatment for bile duct cancer

'We are saddened to announce the passing of Tommy Ramone (nee Erdelyi), the original drummer for the Ramones, earlier today, 11 July 2014.'

The band have become synonymous with the punk movement and symbolise the later Seventies era.

According to the late drummer this was because the band was not just a group of people playing music.

Tommy said in 1978: '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.

Punk rock: The band have become synonymous with the punk movement pictured in 1976 the original lineup consisted of (L-R) Dee Dee Ramone, Tommy Ramone, Joey Ramone and Johnny Ramone

'Originally it was just an artistic type of thing; finally I felt it was something that was good enough for everybody.'

Born Tom Erdelyi in Budapest, Hungry, Tommy was never meant to be part of the punk group when they formed in New York but was meant to be the band's manager.

Lead singer Joey Ramone was supposed to be on drums but he struggled to be able to keep up with the now seminal fast paced punk beat of the band's songs.

Destiny: Born Tom Erdelyi, pictured 1976, the late musician was never meant to be the drummer but stepped in after Joey Ramone became lead singer

More than a band: The late drummer said the Ramones were not just four guys playing music but were an idea, which is probably why they remain popular today

So Tommy - who was not related to his band mates but whom took on the same last name as a gimmick - was drafted as the drummer in 1974 and played with the band for four years on their first three albums, Ramones, Leave Home, and Rocket to Russia before being replaced by Marky Ramon, who is still alive.

The late drummer was also responsible for two of the group's biggest hits, writing I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend and the majority of Blitzkrieg Bop.

Tommy also produced the band's albums even after he stopped playing for them.

Big role: Tommy was responsible for two of the group's biggest hits, writing I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend and the majority of Blitzkrieg Bop

The Ramones rose to fame playing at the iconic music venue CBGBs before achieving worldwide success

The band continued to play until 1996 before finally disbanding after playing more than 2000 concerts together.

The Ramones - including both drummers - were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 and in 2011, the group was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Its other founding members all passed in the last 15 years with Joey Ramone dying of lymphoma in 2001, Dee Dee of a drug overdose in 2002 and Johnny passed away after battling prostate cancer in 2004.

Iconic: The Ramones - including both drummers - were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 and in 2011, the group was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

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