The Ramones (16)

The Ramones
New York punk's original pinheads
Causes of Death:
Jeffrey "Joey Ramone" Hyman, vocalist (1951–2001): Lymphoma
Doug "Dee Dee Ramone" Colvin, bassist (1952-2002): Fatal Heroin OD
John "Johnny Ramone" Cummings, guitarist (1948-2004): Prostate Cancer
We're a Happy Family: Death came as blessed relief for the Ramones, cursed to tour forever thanks to perennially poor album sales and Johnny's bullying drive. Even as Da Brudders were being feted at a Thirtieth Anniversary Tribute at L.A.'s Avalon ballroom in 2004, rockdoc End of the Century was exposing the squabbling reality of life in the band.
Hey Ho! Let’s Grow! Their debut album cost only $6,200 to make, but the three-CD box set Weird Tales of the Ramones has sold 10,000 copies at $65 a pop. The money now accrues to widows Barbara Zampini and Linda Cummings and to the estate of Joey Ramone, while surviving drummers Tommy Erdelyi and Marc "Marky Ramone" Bell earn a smattering of royalties.
Peer Plaudits: A 10-foot Johnny statue unveiled by celebrity friends Lisa Marie Presley and Vincent Gallo looms over Dee Dee's remains at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery; Joey was honored when the corner of Bowery and Second Street in Manhattan was renamed Joey Ramone Place.