He formed The Ramones with singer Jeffrey Hyman (Joey Ramone) and bassist Douglas Colvin (Dee Dee Ramone). He recorded 1976's "The Ramones," 1977's "Leave Home" and "Rocket to Russia" with the band, and also co-produced 1978's "Road to Ruin," as well as the band's live double album "It's Alive" in 1979.
"End Of The Century," a 1980 album recorded with legendary producer Phil Spector, was their best selling set, topping out at No. 44 on The Billboard 200. The band’s 1988 hits compilation album “Ramones Mania” stands as its best-selling set in the Nielsen SoundScan era (since 1991) with 654,000 units. During that time frame, the Ramones have sold 3.4 million overall albums.
Tommy Ramone left the band in 1979 and worked as a producer, where he notched up credits on The Ramones' 1984 album "Too Tough To Die" and The Replacements' 1985 album "Tim." Although strife within its ranks led the Ramones to officially disband in 1996, following a tour in support of "Adios Amigos," the band's final studio album, its members had joined together to promote the posthumous release of 1999's Rhino anthology "Hey Ho Let's Go."
Although strife within its ranks led the Ramones to officially disband in 1996, following a tour in support of "Adios Amigos," the band's final studio album, its members had joined together to promote the posthumous release of 1999's Rhino anthology "Hey Ho Let's Go."
Tommy Ramone landed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Ramones in 2002. He is survived by longtime partner Claudia Tienan, brother Peter; sister-in-law Andrea Tienan; and nephews Eric and David.