Tommy Ramone, or Thomas Erdelyi as he was named at birth, the last surviving member of the original Ramones, died today at his home in Queens, New York. Tommy was aged 62 and reportedly had been fighting cancer of the bile duct for a while now. 

Tommy was the original drummer of the Ramones and one of the founding members having played on the band's iconic first three albums from 1974 to 1978 including 'Ramones', 'Leave Home', and 'Rocket to Russia', as well as the live album 'It's Alive'.

When the Ramones first came together, with Johnny Ramone on guitar, Dee Dee Ramone on bass and Joey Ramone on drums, Tommy was supposed to be the manager, but was drafted as the band's drummer when Joey became the lead singer and found that he couldn't keep up with the Ramones' increasingly fast tempos. 

Post Ramones, Erdelyi also produced the Replacements Tim album and Redd Kross’s Neurotica.

Vale Tommy Ramone..

Below is a few words from Porcell (Judge/Youth of Today/Shelter)

"I was lucky enough to see the Ramones when I was 14. I actually saved my paper route money to buy the ticket and went with my next door neighbor who was older. At first my Dad didn't want to let me go because they "looked like hoodlums" but after weeks of begging and pleading he finally relented. It was at Pier 84 in NYC. We got there hours early to get good seats and were right up front. The Ramones came out and from the first 1-2-3-4 the place went absolutely crazy. It was my first punk show and right then and there I could feel my life changing. Make your own path. Find your own voice. Dare to be different. Don't let the opinions of others dictate your life. Each one of these ideals was embodied in every 2 minute song. I can honestly say I walked out of that show a changed, braver, bolder person, ready to live my life on my own terms. RIP Tommy Ramone, the last living original member. You guys are heroes."