Johnny Ramone

Johnny Ramone
Ramone performing in 1990
Ramone performing in 1990
Background information
Birth nameJohn William Cummings
Also known asJohnny Ramone
Born(1948-10-08)October 8, 1948
Queens, New York City, U.S.
DiedSeptember 15, 2004(2004-09-15) (aged 55)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresPunk rock
OccupationGuitarist
Years active1965–1996
Formerly ofRamones
Websitejohnnyramone.com

John William Cummings (October 8, 1948 – September 15, 2004), better known by his stage name Johnny Ramone, was an American musician who was the guitarist and a founding member of the Ramones, a band that helped pioneer the punk movement.[1] The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Until the band's disbandment in 1996, Johnny, along with the lead vocalist Joey Ramone, were the only two original members who stayed since its inception.

In 2009, Ramone appeared on Time's list of "The 10 Greatest Electric-Guitar Players".[2] He ranked No. 8 on Spin's 2012 list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time"[3] and No. 28 on Rolling Stone's similarly titled 2015 list.[4] Alongside his music career, Ramone appeared in nearly a dozen films, in documentaries, and on television. Ramone's autobiography, Commando, was released posthumously in 2012.[5]

  1. ^ Jones, Dylan (August 15, 2020). "How the Ramones became punk pioneers". British GQ.
  2. ^ Tyrangiel, Josh (August 24, 2009). "The 10 Greatest Electric-Guitar Players". Time. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved November 14, 2009.
  3. ^ "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Spin. May 3, 2012. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  4. ^ "100 Greatest Guitarists". Rolling Stone. December 18, 2015. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  5. ^ Gostin, Nicki (April 17, 2012). "Linda Ramone Q&A: Johnny Was Intense, Angry, Smart, Republican". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2019.