Mickey Leigh talks about his brother Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramones and the Ramones as a whole with Jeff Frumess.
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He wasn’t your typical frontman. Tall, gangly, shy, and plagued by obsessive-compulsive disorder, Joey Ramone was never meant to be a rock star. But his vulnerability, authenticity, and unforgettable voice became the soul of a movement. As the lead singer of The Ramones, Joey didn’t just help invent punk rock—he gave it its heart.Born Jeffrey Ross Hyman in 1951 in Queens, New York, Joey grew up immersed in 1960s rock, glam, and bubblegum pop. When he joined forces with Johnny, Dee Dee, and Tommy Ramone in 1974, the world wasn’t ready for what they were about to unleash. The Ramones played loud, fast, and short—songs stripped to the bone, driven by a beat you couldn’t ignore. But it was Joey’s distinct voice—half sneer, half croon—that gave the band a strange beauty.Joey’s look—leather jacket, dark sunglasses, ripped jeans, and long black hair—became a uniform for generations of punks. But beyond the image was an artist who channeled his anxiety, outsider status, and love for melody into songs that connected across borders and backgrounds.From iconic tracks like “Blitzkrieg Bop”, “I Wanna Be Sedated”, and “Rockaway Beach” to deeper cuts like “Danny Says” and “Poison Heart”, Joey delivered both rage and vulnerability. His lyrics often reflected the pain of alienation and the thrill of rebellion, all with a sense of humor that set The Ramones apart.Despite the band’s foundational role in punk history, they were rarely commercially successful during their time. Internal tensions, especially between Joey and Johnny, defined much of the band’s later years. But Joey stayed committed to the music, even when it didn’t make him rich or comfortable. He was punk before it was a brand—and long after it became one.After being diagnosed with lymphoma, Joey began working on a solo album. He passed away on April 15, 2001, just shy of 50. His posthumous solo album, Don’t Worry About Me, was released the following year, featuring a poignant cover of “What a Wonderful World.”Joey Ramone was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 with the other Ramones. A block of East 2nd Street in NYC is now named Joey Ramone Place—a tribute to the outsider who gave voice to misfits everywhere.🎸 Joey’s legacy isn’t just in the records—it’s in every garage band, every kid in a leather jacket, and every voice that dares to sing even when it shakes.
