Tommy Erdelyi, better known as Tommy Ramone, the last surviving original member of Ramones died aged 62.
Initially Tommy was supposed to be the band’s manager with Joey behind the drum kit, but Joey couldn’t keep up with the fast tempos and Tommy had to take over the drums since no one else would. He played the drums and co-produced the band’s iconic first three LPs as well as the live one, It’s Alive and was replaced by Marky Ramone in 1978, though he kept managing Ramones for a while longer.
He had a reputation of being the most “normal” person in the band.
Post-Ramones Tommy produced The Replacement’s Tim album in 1985 and Red Kross’s Neurotica in 1987. Lately he was part of the bluegrass duo Uncle Monk, together with Claudia Tienan of The Simplistics.
Revisit the mindblowing It’s Alive concert, recorded live at the Rainbow, London, December 31st 1977…
ZR