The Ramones' were an American rock band often regarded as the first punk rock group. Formed in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, in 1974, all of the band members adopted pseudonyms ending with "Ramone", though none of them were actually related. They performed 2,263 concerts, touring virtually nonstop for 22 years. In 1996, after a tour with the Lollapalooza music festival, the band played a farewell show and disbanded. A little more than eight years after the breakup, the band's three founding members - lead singer Joey Ramone, guitarist Johnny Ramone, and bassist Dee Dee Ramone - were dead. The Ramones were a major influence on the punk rock movement both in the United States and the United Kingdom, though they achieved only minor commercial success. Their only record with enough U.S. sales to be certified gold was the compilation album Ramones Mania. Recognition of the band's importance built over the years, and they are now cited in many assessments of all-time great rock music, such as the Rolling Stone lists of the 50 Greatest Artists of All Time and 25 Greatest Live Albums of All Time, VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock, and Mojos 100 Greatest Albums. In 2002, the Ramones were ranked the second greatest band of all time by Spin magazine, trailing only The Beatles. On March 18, 2002, the Ramones - including the three founders and drummers Marky and Tommy Ramone - were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tony Bongiovi is a record producer and recording engineer. He helped to remodel an old building in Manhattan -- once a power plant for Edison, and later a television studio -- into the Power Station recording studio in 1977. Bongiovi was born in the borough of Raritan, New Jersey located in Central Jersey. He attended Bridgewater-Raritan High School West. He has produced records by Gloria Gaynor, Talking Heads, Aerosmith and Ramones, Chic and many more. Early in his career, as an engineer, he worked the console for a number of sessions with Jimi Hendrix, as well as some of Hendrix's posthumous releases under producer Alan Douglas.He is the second cousin of Jon Bon Jovi, and helped Jon in his early career by giving him a job at the Power Station and by allegedly financing and producing early demo recordings and paying for singing lessons. An album, John Bongiovi: The Power Station Years was released in 1999, featuring Tony Bongiovi's early recordings of Jon, before he changed the spelling of his name. The cousins had differing opinions on who should receive what, and after the group Bon Jovi objected, an out of court settlement was reached. Bongiovi's most recent production is As Above So Below, the debut CD of the hard rock band NoEnd, released in South America by Sony/BMG, and also the band Deep Side on Jive records.

Dee Dee Ramone, born Douglas Glenn Colvin, (September 18, 1951 - June 5, 2002) was a German-American songwriter and bassist, best remembered as a founding member of punk rock band The Ramones. Colvin was also known for his distinctive count-in style, used to start off many Ramones songs. Though nearly all of the Ramones' songs were credited equally to all the band members, Colvin was the group's primary lyricist and songwriter, penning songs such as "53rd & 3rd", "Commando", "Rockaway Beach" and "Poison Heart". He was the bass guitarist for the group from their formation in 1974 through 1989, although at first he wanted to play the guitar. He then left to pursue a short-lived career in rap music under the name Dee Dee King. Afterwards, he returned to his punk roots and released three little-known solo albums featuring brand new songs (many were used later on Ramones records). He toured the world playing his songs, Ramones songs and some old favorites in small clubs and continued to write songs for the Ramones until 1996, when the band retired. Colvin struggled with drug addiction for much of his life, especially heroin; he began using drugs as a teenager, and continued to use for the majority of his adult life. He seemed to clean up his act in the early 1990s and to remain clean for most of that decade until 2002, when he was found dead from a heroin overdose.

Marky Ramone (born Marc Steven Bell on July 15 1956 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American drummer. He is best known for being the drummer for the Ramones, but has also played in other notable bands like Dust and Richard Hell and The Voidoids. He is currently hosting "Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg" on Sirius XM 28/52 Faction, Tuesdays at 8pm ET. Marky can be seen on stages all over the world with his new band, Marky Ramones Blitzkrieg. Marky is the only living member of the longest running Ramones line-up (15 years) featuring Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee, and Marky. Unrelated, each band member adopted a pseudonym with the surname Ramone.

John William Cummings (October 8, 1948 – September 15, 2004), better known by the stage name Johnny Ramone, was the guitarist for the seminal punk rock group The Ramones. Along with vocalist Jeffrey Hyman, aka Joey Ramone, he remained a member of the band throughout their career.

Christopher Joseph Ward (born October 8, 1965), better known as C. J. Ramone, is an American musician known as the bassist for punk rock group The Ramones from 1989 to 1996. Christopher J. Ward was born in Queens, New York, though he lived in Deer Park, New York for most of his early life.He attended Ss. Cyril and Methodius School and graduated from Deer Park High School in 1983. Prior to joining the Ramones, Ward served in the United States Marine Corps. He was a fan of the Ramones, particularly of Dee Dee Ramone, before joining the band, and later played with him in a band called The Remains or The Ramainz, which was formed by Dee Dee Ramone, Marky Ramone and Dee Dee's wife, Barbara Zampini . He also played with Axe, Los Gusanos, and is currently playing in Bad Chopper. Ward replaced original band member Dee Dee Ramone, though Dee Dee continued to write songs for the group. C.J. sang many well-known Ramones songs, and gave The Ramones a younger image. In the documentary End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones it states that when C.J. joined the Ramones he was seen as a breath of fresh air into the band. Johnny Ramone says he knew immediately when C.J. auditioned to replace Dee Dee that he was right, commenting that he "had the right look". When the Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame original Ramones drummer, Tommy Ramone, credited C.J. with "keeping the band young". C.J. also had the idea for the band to cover Tom Waits' "I Don't Want to Grow Up" on the album u00A1Adios Amigos!.C.J. Ramone was the youngest member of the Ramones when he joined, by 9 years. His first show with The Ramones was on September 30, 1989, in Leicester, England, and he played with the band until they retired on August 6, 1996.

Richard Reinhardt (a.k.a Richie Ramone) is an American drummer best known for his five year stint as the drummer for the punk rock group the Ramones. He left the band acrimoniously in August 1987 after the three original members refused to evenly share the money from t-shirt sales with him. He was replaced by Elvis Ramone. He worked on the albums Too Tough to Die, Animal Boy and Halfway To Sanity. He also has one live album which was recorded on February 25, 1985 called Ramones Smash You: Live u201985. He penned the songs "Smash You," "Somebody Put Something in My Drink," "Humankind," "I'm Not Jesus," "I Know Better Now" and "(You) Can't Say Anything Nice."

Harvey Phillip Spector (born December 26, 1939) is an American record producer and songwriter whose fame reached its height in the early 1960s. The originator of the "Wall of Sound" production technique, Spector was a pioneer of the 1960s girl group sound and clocked in over twenty-five Top 40 hits between 1960 and 1965. In later years he worked with such artists as Ike and Tina Turner, John Lennon, George Harrison and the Ramones with similar success, including production work on the Academy Award winning Let It Be and Grammy Award winning Concert for Bangladesh soundtracks. In 1989, Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. The 1965 song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", produced and co-written by Spector for the The Righteous Brothers, is listed by BMI as the song with the most U.S. air play in the 20th century. The 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson in his Alhambra, California home led to his being charged with murder in the second degree. His first trial ended in a mistrial; his second trial resulted in a conviction of second degree murder on April 13, 2009.

Joey Ramone (May 19, 1951 - April 15, 2001), born as Jeffrey Ross Hyman, was a vocalist and songwriter best known for his work in the punk rock group the Ramones. Joey Ramone's image, voice and tenure as frontman of the Ramones made him a countercultural icon.

Clem Burke (born Clement Bozewski, Bayonne, New Jersey, November 24, 1955) is an American musician who is the drummer for the band Blondie. Recruited by Chris Stein and Debbie Harry when they were first forming Blondie, Burke remained with the band throughout the first stage of their career and was instrumental in the late 1990s reunion, as well as their current extensive tour in 2009. During the 1980s and '90s, when Blondie was disbanded, Burke played drums for The Romantics, Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan, Eurythmics, The Tourists, Dramarama, The Fleshtones, Iggy Pop, and Joan Jett, amongst others. He went on to record with the superstar line-up of Chequered Past in 1983 with Sex Pistols Steve Jones, former Blondie bandmate Nigel Harrison, musician Tony Sales and singer/actor Michael Des Barres. In the late 80's, he stood in as drummer for The Ramones (under the name "Elvis Ramone") for two gigs, on August 28, 1987, in Providence, Rhode Island, and August 29, 1987, in Trenton, New Jersey, after the sudden departure of Richie Ramone. On October 8, 2004, he once again played under the name "Elvis Ramone", when he joined Tommy Ramone, C. J. Ramone, and Daniel Rey in the "Ramones Beat Down On Cancer" concert. He has recorded and played live with Wanda Jackson and Nancy Sinatra. Clem also played on The Go-Go's member Kathy Valentine's solo release, "Light Years" in 2005. He was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. He now is a member of Slinky Vagabond with Earl Slick, Glen Matlock, and Keanan Duffty. Slinky Vagabond played their debut concert at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in May 2007.He is also currently a member of Magis Christian along with Cyril Jordan and Eddie Munoz.

Bill Laswell (born February 12, 1955 in Salem, Illinois and raised in Albion, Michigan) is an American bassist, producer and record label owner. He is married to Ethiopian singer Gigi. Laswell ranks among the most prolific of musicians, being involved in hundreds of recordings with many musicians from all over the world. Laswell's music draws upon many different genres, most notably funk, various world music, jazz, dub and ambient styles. He has also played or produced music from the noisier, more aggressive end of the rock spectrum, like hardcore punk and metal. According to music critic Chris Brazier, "Laswellu2019s pet concept is 'collision music' which involves bringing together musicians from wildly divergent but complementary spheres and seeing what comes out." The credo of one record label run by Laswell, and which typifies much of his work, is u201CNothing Is True, Everything Is Permittedu201D. Though projects arranged by Laswell may be credited under the same name and often feature the same roster of musicians, the styles and themes explored on different albums can vary dramatically: Material began as a noisy dance music project, but subsequent releases have been centered around hip hop, jazz, or backing spoken word readings by beat generation icon William S. Burroughs. Similarly, most versions of Praxis have featured guitarist Buckethead, but have explored different permutations with each new album. Though some artists have chafed against Laswell's distinctive recording and production style - most noticeably some of his for hire production gigs like Motörhead, Swans and White Zombie - many other collaborations, such as with pianist Herbie Hancock and singer Iggy Pop have been lengthier and recurring.

David Rubinstein (born 1964, died July 3, 1993) was an American musician, the co-founder of the influential New York-based punk rock group Reagan Youth. He founded the group with guitarist Paul Bakija when both were in Forest Hills High School in Forest Hills, Queens. While they were still in high school, the band played the punk clubs of Manhattan. Jack DePalma, a physics teacher from Forest Hills High School, became a roadie for the band (De Palma had his head shaved at a gig at CBGB's and as a result was not rehired by the school administration at Forest Hills).

Travis Landon Barker (born November 14, 1975) is an American drummer and the current drummer for pop punk trio Blink-182. He has also been a drummer for several side projects including +44, Box Car Racer, Transplants and Expensive Taste. In 1996, Barker joined his first touring band, playing drums for The Aquabats as The Baron Von Tito. He recorded one album with them, The Fury of the Aquabats!, in 1997. His career took off when he joined up with pop punk band, Blink-182 in 1998. Barker became known for his mohawk and his tendency to perform shirtless, revealing a multitude of tattoos. Barker has since established himself as a versatile drummer, producing and making guest appearances in music projects of numerous music genres including hip-hop, punk rock, alternative rock, ska, pop and even country. He has gained significant acceptance within the hip-hop community in particular and often collaborates with artists to compose rock-tinged remixes to their songs. He founded clothing company Famous Stars and Straps in 1999 and LaSalle Records in 2004. Companies such as DC Shoes and Zildjian cymbals have co-designed products in his name. Barker's marriage to former Miss USA Shanna Moakler was featured in MTV's Meet the Barkers (2005 - 2006). His marriage and personal life have been considerable media fodder following his divorce and a brief relationship with Hilton Hotel heiress Paris Hilton in 2006. In early 2009, Barker and Moakler decided to get back together. On April 1, 2009, reps for both Barker and Moakler confirmed they had split following an argument at their home which required police attention. The argument was said to be caused after Barker confronted Moakler about her allegedly having an affair with Gerard Butler while he was recovering from his plane crash. Moaklers reps deny any reports of an affair. Barker also has a vast and unique collection of ghetto blasters and is a self-proclaimed car enthusiast.

Perry Farrell (born Peretz Bernstein on March 29, 1959) is an American musician who is the frontman for the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction. Farrell created the touring festival Lollapalooza as a farewell tour for Jane's Addiction in 1991; it has since evolved into an annual festival. Farrell continues to produce Lollapalooza with partners William Morris Agency and C3. Farrell has also led the alternative rock groups Porno For Pyros and Satellite Party. Peretz (u05E4u05E8u05E5) is his Hebrew name, as well as his DJ moniker DJ Peretz.

Osaka Popstar is a pop punk supergroup formed in 2006 by New Yorker John Cafiero. Cafiero wanted an outlet to express his music but also incorporate his love for Japanese anime. In 2006, Cafiero teamed up with several well known punk rock artists to create the anime based punk group, Osaka Popstar. They released their debut album/DVD on May 23, 2006. Their lyrics consist of topics such as characters in Japanese anime like Astroboy and Sailor Moon. The first single off the album was a cover of singer/song writer Daniel Johnston, entitled "Wicked World."They toured as special guests with The Misfits in Fiend Fest '06 across the United States and other dates in Europe with stops in Tijuana, Mexico and Montreal, Quebec in October and November 2006. Their album was released in Japan in June 2007.