Joey Ramone

Biography

Born to a Jewish family in Queens, New York City, Joey Ramone's life was marked by personal struggles, including a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder and a psychotic episode at age 18. He co-founded the punk rock band Ramones with Johnny Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone in 1974, initially as drummer before switching to lead vocals. The Ramones' iconic image and sound cemented Joey's status as a countercultural icon until the band's breakup in 1996.