Issue date: 9/22/04 Section: Arts

On Sept. 15, rock and roll sadly lost another great musician. Guitarist Johnny Ramone, of the influential NYC punk band The Ramones, lost his five-year battle with prostate cancer. He was 55 years old.

Johnny, who was born John Cummings, was surrounded by his wife Linda and close friends at the time of his death according to Reuters.

Ramones creative director and friend Arturo Vega mentioned that a public memorial is in the works and "will take place at some stage."

According to The Associated Press, on Sept. 12 a tribute concert was held in Los Angeles to celebrate The Ramones' 30th anniversary.

The concert also served as a fundraiser for cancer research. Johnny, who was too sick to attend, phoned in to speak to fans.

His death comes three years after that of lead singer Joey Ramone's, due to lymphatic cancer and just two years after bassist Dee Dee Ramone's death from an apparent drug overdose.

Drummer Tommy Ramone is now the only surviving member of the group's original line up.

The Ramones were together for 22 years; officially calling it quits in 1996.

Back in 1974, Johnny quit his construction job and co-founded The Ramones along with Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy Ramone.

Two years later, they released their self-titled first album. They went on to become one of the most influential bands in rock and roll history, inspiring bands such as The Sex Pistols, U2 and Nirvana.

In 2002, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many credit the band with creating the original punk sound.

"A Ramones song lasts two minutes and is simple as hell, but the influence of that music is everywhere in modern rock" says David McDougall of Chartattack.com.

"Johnny played hard and fast," said McDougall.

In an interview with The Washington Times in March 2004 Johnny said "I'm just honored that people still like us and people are nice to me...I really can't believe that my career has gone like it has."

Johnny Ramone was "the group's center of gravity" and provided balance and stability says the band's website officialramones.com.

Johnny helped hand-pick a collection of 30 tracks for The Ramones' album Loud, Fast, Ramones: Their Toughest Hits released in February 2003.

"Johnny accomplished to the limit his life's aspirations, and in the process he made ours seem possible," said the group's official site.

David McDougall looks back fondly on Johnny's career in The Ramones.

"Johnny Ramone held stage right: feet apart, head down, a look of concentration on his face. He will be missed."

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