Joey Ramone

Jeffrey Ross Hyman (May 19, 1951 – April 15, 2001), known professionally as Joey Ramone, was an American singer, songwriter, and the lead vocalist and founding member of the punk rock band Ramones, with Johnny Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone. His image, voice, and tenure with the Ramones made him a countercultural icon.

Born to a Jewish family in Queens, New York City, he was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and suffered a psychotic episode at age 18. After playing in the glam punk band Sniper from 1972 to 1974, Joey cofounded the Ramones in 1974. Initially the band's drummer, Joey switched to lead vocals shortly after the group's formation. Appearing on all the band's releases, he, along with guitarist Johnny Ramone, are the only two original members who stayed in the band until it disbanded in 1996.

Following the Ramones' breakup, he embarked on a solo career before dying of lymphoma in 2001. His debut solo album Don't Worry About Me was released the following year.

Jeffrey Ross Hyman was born on May 19, 1951, in Queens, New York City, to a Jewish family. His parents were Charlotte (née Mandell, later Lesher, 1926–2007) and Noel Hyman (1919–2000). It has been claimed he was born with a parasitic twin growing out of his back, which was incompletely formed and surgically removed. He had a younger brother named Mikey Leigh, who is also a singer-songwriter. The family resided in Forest Hills, Queens, where Hyman and his future Ramones bandmates attended Forest Hills High School. Though generally a happy person, Hyman described himself as a misfit and loner as a child. He was diagnosed at 18 with obsessive–compulsive disorder. His striking physique has been attributed to Marfan syndrome and his health was often frail. His mother, Charlotte Lesher, owned an art gallery in Queens. After divorcing her first husband, Noel Hyman, she married again but was widowed when her second husband died in a car accident while she was on vacation.

Hyman began playing the drums when he was 13 years old. He was a fan of the Beatles, the Who, David Bowie, and the Stooges among other bands, particularly oldies and the Phil Spector-produced girl groups. The Who in particular inspired him when he saw them perform at the age of 16.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.