John Cummings (October 8, 1948 – September 15, 2004), better known as Johnny Ramone, was the lead guitarist for the punk rock group The Ramones. Along with vocalist Joey Ramone, he remained a member of the band throughout their career.

Besides his high-energy, three-chord guitar, he was also known for his ability to keep everyone on task. Though often times it was thought he over-worked everyone, it was really just for the best. He knew what he was doing. Without him, The Ramones would have fallen apart.

The Ramones song "The KKK Took My Baby Away" was inspired by Joey Ramone's ex-girlfriend starting a relationship with Johnny. (They later married.) Embittered, the two would not speak to each other for most of the band's career, and Johnny Ramone refused to call his former bandmate even as Joey Ramone was dying of cancer.

Alongside his music career, he acted in several movies (Rock and Roll High School), as well as Documentaries. He also made television appearances on shows such as The Simpsons.

As a kid, he played in a band called the Tangerine Puppets. When he was older, he was known as a "greaser", though was later described as a tie-dye wearing Stooges fan.

Johnny was noted for his cool, reserved attitude that he kept at (mostly) all times.

Although never a "closet Republican" (many around him said he was vocal about his opinions), Johnny made his political affiliation known to the world in 2002, when the Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After thanking everyone who made it possible, clad in his trademark T-shirt, ripped blue jeans and leather jacket, Johnny said "God bless President Bush, and God bless America," [1] (http://www.washingtontimes.com/entertainment/20040311-085521-1823r.htm)

On September 15, 2004, he died in his Los Angeles home after a five year battle with prostate cancer.

External link

• Johnny We Hardly Knew Ye (http://tomwatson.typepad.com/tom_watson/2004/09/johnny_we_hardl.html)

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