Tommy Ramone, The Last Original Member of The Ramones, Dies Aged 62

Tommy Ramone, drummer of seminal New York punk band The Ramones, has died of cancer at the age of 62 at his home in the city.

Tommy was a Hungarian immigrant, born Erdélyi Tamás in Budapest, who came to the US in 1957, and played on the band's first three albums, co-producing two of them, before leaving in 1978, ostensibly because he was exhausted by the constant touring.

He kept his links with the Ramones, co-producing 1974′s Road To Ruin and 1984′s Too Tough To Die. He also produced the Replacements’ 1985 major-label debut Tim and Redd Kross’s 1987 album Neurotica. Later on, he played in the old-timey folk duo Uncle Monk, who released one self-titled album in 2006.

A message post on The Ramones Facebook page reads:

We are saddened to announce the passing of Tommy Ramone (nee Erdelyi), the original drummer for the Ramones, earlier today, 11 July 2014.

"It wasn't just music in The Ramones: it was an idea. It was bringing back a whole feel that was missing in rock music – it was a whole push outwards to say something new and different. Originally it was just an artistic type of thing; finally I felt it was something that was good enough for everybody." - Tommy Ramone, 1978 

RIP Tommy.

Below, watch a video of  The Ramones performing their 1977's classic song "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker".

RIP Mr. Ramone

Devo's Founding Member Bob Casale Dies at Age 61

DEVO's founding member and guitarist Bob Casale, has died at the age of 61.

TMZ reported that Casale  passed away on February 17 after medical complications unexpectedly led to heart failure. 

Bob's brother Gerald confirmed the news saying: "Very sad news to report today. Bob Casale of Devo. Born: July 14th, 1952. Deceased: February 17th, 2014. As an original member of Devo, Bob Casale was there in the trenches with me from the beginning. He was my level-headed brother, a solid performer, and talented audio engineer, always giving more than he got."

"He was excited about the possibility of Mark Mothersbaugh allowing Devo to play shows again," the statement continued. "His sudden death from conditions that lead to heart failure came as a total shock to us all."

The cult new wave band formed in Ohio in 1972, the classic line-up of the band consisting of the Casale brothers, Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh and Alan Myers (Myers died of brain cancer in June 2013). Gerald recruited his brother Bob for guitar/keyboards. 

RIP Mr. Casale.