Who Is Still Alive From the Ramones?

END OF THE CENTURY: THE STORY OF THE RAMONES, The Ramones, from left: Marky Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, 2003, — Magnolia Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

Formed in 1974 in Forest Hills, Queens, the Ramones helped pioneer the punk rock movement and became one of the genre’s most influential bands. The group’s original lineup featured Joey Ramone on vocals, Johnny Ramone on guitar, Dee Dee Ramone on bass, and Tommy Ramone on drums. With fast-paced, stripped-down anthems like “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker,” “I Wanna Be Sedated,” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School,” the band created a sound that would shape punk music for generations.

Over the years, the lineup changed, and sadly, none of the four original Ramones are still alive today. Joey died in 2001, Dee Dee died in 2002, Johnny died in 2004, and Tommy died in 2014. Tommy’s death made him the last surviving original member of the band. Today, only a few official former members are still with us. Let’s find out what they’re up to now.

Marky Ramone

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Marky Ramone, 73, is the best-known non-original surviving member of the Ramones. Born Marc Bell, he joined the band in 1978 after Tommy Ramone stopped touring with the group. Before becoming Marky Ramone, he had already played with Dust and Richard Hell and the Voidoids, but the Ramones became the band that defined his career. Marky played with the Ramones from 1978 to 1983, then returned in 1987 and stayed until the band retired in 1996. He appeared on several Ramones albums and was also part of their cult movie moment in Rock ‘n’ Roll High School.

In the years since the band ended, Marky has continued performing Ramones music, has released a memoir titled Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone, and has helped keep the Ramones legacy alive.

Richie Ramone

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Richie Ramone, 68, joined the Ramones in 1983 after Marky’s first departure from the band. Born Richard Reinhardt, he played drums during the band’s mid-’80s era and appeared on the albums Too Tough to Die, Animal Boy, and Halfway to Sanity. Richie also stands out for writing songs for the Ramones, including “Somebody Put Something in My Drink.” He was also the only Ramones drummer credited as the sole writer of several Ramones songs.

After leaving the band in 1987, Richie continued making music and released solo albums.

C.J. Ramone

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C.J. Ramone, 60, was the final bassist for the Ramones. Born Christopher Joseph Ward, he joined the band in 1989 after Dee Dee Ramone left. Dee Dee continued writing songs for the band after his departure, but C.J. became the bassist onstage during the Ramones’ final years. C.J. played with the band until they broke up in 1996. He appeared on albums including Mondo Bizarro, Acid Eaters, and ¡Adios Amigos! and helped bring a younger energy to the group’s later era.

After the Ramones ceased, C.J. continued working in punk rock as a solo artist and with other bands.

In Memoriam

END OF THE CENTURY: THE STORY OF THE RAMONES, Johnny Ramone, Tommy Ramone, Joey Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, 2003,

Magnolia/courtesy Everett Collection

Joey Ramone, born Jeffrey Hyman, was the band’s lead singer. He died on April 15, 2001, at age 49 after battling lymphoma.

Dee Dee Ramone, born Douglas Colvin, was the band’s original bassist and a key songwriter. He died on June 5, 2002, at age 50 from an accidental overdose.

Johnny Ramone, born John Cummings, was the band’s guitarist. He died on September 15, 2004, at age 55 after battling prostate cancer.

Tommy Ramone, born Tamás Erdélyi, was the band’s original drummer and also worked as a producer. He died on July 11, 2014, at age 65, from cancer, making him the last original Ramone to pass away.

Elvis Ramone, born Clem Burke, briefly played drums for the Ramones in 1987. He was best known as Blondie’s drummer, but his brief time with the Ramones still counts him as a member in the band’s history. He died on April 6, 2025, at age 70.