Obit: Dee Dee Ramone (1951-2002)

Subject: Dee Dee Ramone
From: Amergin
Date: 06 Jun 02 - 03:40 PM

stole this off the bbc site:

Thursday, 6 June, 2002, 19:19 GMT 20:19 UK Ramones founder Dee Dee dies

Dee Dee Ramone was found by his wife

Punk pioneer Dee Dee Ramone, a founder member of the Ramones, has been found dead at his home in Hollywood aged 50. Ramone, whose real name was Douglas Glenn Colvin, was found dead on his couch by his wife when she returned home on Wednesday evening.

The Los Angeles coroner's office said drug paraphernalia, including a single syringe had been found in his home.

Thank you, Dee Dee, you're very wonderful Dee Dee Ramone, March 2002 "We are handling it as a possible accidental overdose," coroner's office operations chief Craig Harvey said.

Mr Harvey did not say which drug was suspected of causing his death. An autopsy is scheduled to take place on Thursday.

UK success

Dee Dee Ramone was part of the band's first line-up when it was founded in Queens, New York, in 1974.

All of the group's members adopted the surname Ramone and dressed in torn blue jeans and leather jackets, as a tribute to 1950s rock stars.

Their debut album was released in 1976, but it was in the UK where they found early success, influencing punk acts like the Sex Pistols.

Their best-known songs reflected their lifestyle - I Wanna Be Sedated, Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue, Teenage Lobotomy, and Sheena Is A Punk Rocker.

Ramone left the band in 1989 to pursue a rap career - which failed - and later formed his own band, Chinese Dragons.

Drug struggle

The Ramones finally disbanded in 1996, and lead singer Joey Ramone died in April 2001 of lymphoma, a form of cancer, aged 49.

In his autobiography - Lobotomy: Surviving The Ramones - Dee Dee Ramone wrote about his struggle with alcohol and drug abuse.

The bassist's death comes 11 weeks after the band was celebrated with induction into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, Ramone joked: "I'd like to congratulate myself, and thank myself, and give myself a big pat on the back.

"Thank you, Dee Dee, you're very wonderful."

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dee Dee Ramone
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 06 Jun 02 - 03:52 PM

yeh, just read it in Los Angeles Times, by e-mail from a friend

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dee Dee Ramone
From: JenEllen
Date: 06 Jun 02 - 04:06 PM

Hard to know what to think about this one, none of the usual condolences seem to fit.
A glass raised for mediocre musicians with hearts of gold. Gabba Gabba Hey.
~J

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dee Dee Ramone
From: Mrrzy
Date: 06 Jun 02 - 04:12 PM

Beat me to the Gabba Gabba Hey, JenEllen! Didn't this happen last year? I seem to recall the Ramones being in the news after a death... Maybe another band member?

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dee Dee Ramone
From: JenEllen
Date: 06 Jun 02 - 04:13 PM

Joey....Lymphoma

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dee Dee Ramone
From: mousethief
Date: 06 Jun 02 - 04:18 PM

Have you heard Joey's version of "What a Wonderful World"? Best cover of that song I've ever heard. Not as good as Satchmo, of course...

Alex

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dee Dee Ramone
From: JenEllen
Date: 06 Jun 02 - 04:55 PM

Yeah, their covers were great. "Baby, I Love You" and "Palisades Park" spring to mind. (The thought of those yahoos munching hotdogs and necking on amusement park rides sends me to the floor every time. Good stuff.)
~J (in the tunnel of luuh-uv)

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dee Dee Ramone
From: Brían
Date: 06 Jun 02 - 08:28 PM

Awwwwwwwwwww........

Brían
On the road to Rockaway Beach

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dee Dee Ramone
From: Amergin
Date: 06 Jun 02 - 08:34 PM

I used to sing beat on the brat to my little brother and sister all the time....

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dee Dee Ramone
From: fat B****rd
Date: 07 Jun 02 - 03:48 AM

RIP Dee Dee. "You don't come close" is probably one of my Desert Island Discs.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dee Dee Ramone
From: M.Ted
Date: 07 Jun 02 - 09:42 AM

The Ramones never stopped being the band that played down the street--the music was always simple and raw, and you could always dance to it---and let's not forget "Rock and Roll High School"--

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dee Dee Ramone
From: GUEST,RedRose
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 05:30 PM

Dee Dee you have been, are and will be forever the best! RIP Dee Dee Ramone ...
I love you ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥