The Tragic Real-Life Story Of The Ramones

The Ramones are one of the most influential and important rock bands of all time. But it definitely didn't come easy. Here's a look at the tragic real-life story of The Ramones.

In 1974, four old high school buddies reunited to form a new band: The Ramones. They soon turned New York's CBGB club into ground zero for a fresh sound that would soon be called "punk rock."

For each of them, the band was a welcome escape from childhood troubles. Bassist Dee Dee Ramone, whose real name was Doug Colvin, whote in his autobiography Lobotomy: Surviving the Ramones,

"People who join a band like the Ramones don't come from stable backgrounds. Punk rock comes from angry kids who feel like being creative."

For Colvin, that instability stemmed from domestic violence at home; according to Vice, he responded by dropping out of high school and getting into drugs and prostitution.

For guitarist Johnny Ramone, aka John Cummings, his dark childhood came courtesy of an emotionally abusive father and violence at school. He wrote in Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone.

"I didn't do too well with the nuns, who would smack me around all the time. I don't think I even did anything to deserve it, but they would hit me with a stick."

For lead singer Joey Ramone, aka Jeffrey Hyman, the violence came at home courtesy of an abusive father. Hyman also faced health issues from birth. Born with a rare tumor called a teratoma, Hyman underwent surgery at just a few weeks old, and was a sickly child as a result, suffering from poor circulation and frequent infections.

And Tommy Ramone, aka Thomas Erdelyi? Well, he was born in Hungary to Holocaust survivors, and his family was forced to flee to America during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.

Watch the video for more about The Tragic Real-Life Story Of The Ramones.

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Troubled childhoods | 0:00
Marky Ramone's dark path | 1:26
Phil Spector held the band at gunpoint | 2:15
Personal disputes divided the band | 2:49
Tragedy follows tragedy | 3:20

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