Tommy Ramone, the former Ramones drummer, died on Friday after a battle with bile duct cancer. He was 65.

Tommy Ramone Dies

Ramone’s death at his home in New York was announced by New York Rocker magazine’s Andy Schwartz to Rolling Stone. "Tom died yesterday, July 11, at 12:15 p.m. at his home in Ridgewood, Queens," Schwartz said on behalf of Ramone's family. "He was in hospice care following treatment for cancer of the bile duct."

Born Thomas Erdelyi, Ramone co-founded the rock band with singer Joey Ramone, guitarist Johnny Ramone and bassist Dee Dee Ramone in 1974. Tommy Ramone was the band’s last surviving co-founder. Both Joey (Jeff Hyman) and Johnny (John Cummings) died of cancer, while Dee Dee (Douglas Colvin) died of a heroin overdose.

The Ramones debut single, which came out in 1976, was “Blitzkrieg Bop.” They’re perhaps best known for 1981 track “I Wanna Be Sedated.” Other band singles, “Do You Wanna Dance?,” "Do You Remember Rock n Roll Radio?,” “Psycho Therapy,” and “Howling at the Moon (Sha-La-La).”

The Ramones disbanded in 1996 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame six years later in 2002. They also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

Tommy Ramone left the band in 1978 to focus on studio work, but was still recognized when the band received notoriety.

Ramone is survived by his longtime partner Claudio Tienan.

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