i woke up this morning with an alert on my phone that tommy ramone, the first drummer for the ramones, passed away last night.  he was 65.  it’s hard to believe that all four original members of the ramones are now gone.

i discovered the ramones in 1995 after ¡adios amigos! came out.  i ordered it from the columbia house record club not knowing a thing about these guys.  i was hooked instantly.  from there, i bought ramones mania (a greatest hits compilation) and followed that up with the ramones, leave home and rocket to russia.  tommy only played on the first three records which are also their best.

the ramones created a sound and a style that will forever be imitated by kids in garages that like to play their music loud and fast.  thank you for contribution to rock and roll and to my life.  you will be missed.