Ramones Drummer Tommy Ramone Dies, Aged 65

News of Tommy Ramone’s death was confirmed via the band’s official Facebook page. His death marks the passing of the last founding member of The Ramones.

Joey Ramone was the first of the Ramones to pass away when he died of lymphoma in April 2001, followed by bass player Dee Dee a year later who died of a heroin overdose. Johnny Ramone died ten years ago, in 2004, following a battle with prostate cancer. He was 56.

Ramone, pictured above alongside Dee Dee, Johnny and Joey Ramone, died in a hospice last Friday following treatment for bile duct cancer, BBC News reports. Ramone was the group’s drummer from 1974 to 1978, and co-produced their first three albums.

The news of Tommy’s death was accompanied by the following 1978 quote of his on the band’s Facebook page: “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.”