I just learned a couple of hours ago that another of the RAMONES had passed away from what many people are speculating, a drug overdose. I am not here to make an anti-drug crusade. Instead , I want to mention THE GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE REAL ROCK AND ROLL WORLD THAT DEE DEE DEE HANDED TO THE CONSUMER.

Enough has been commented upon about the RAMONES style of music. Fast , yet tuneful BEACH BOYS inspired tunes set to a breakneck speed is what many people said about the RAMONES. But DEE DEE did not always follow the rigid rules when he chose himself to be the sacrificial lamb of this Queens, New Yawk outfit.

Quite often Joey Ramone and DEE DEE RAMONE could not see eye to eye. Joey believed in all of these rules that the RAMONES must follow all the time. Sure, DEE DEE did not mind following Joey leather jacket clad influence. But eventually, DEE DEE and his other band mate's relations got so strained that DEE DEE would relapse to being so pissed off that he would not care at all expenses. DEE DEE departed the RAMONES, but later decided to re-enter the picture.

Without DEE DEE, Joey would not end up with a catalogue of great, yet short bopping tunes. DEE DEE would just crank up his bass axe and end up repetively pounding on the strings until another great song is finished. Joey would pen some lyrics, and there you go. An uncompromising attitude seeps out of the four string amp, and another rock and roll legend, DEE DEE RAMONE, is forever documented through his numerous three chord masterpieces.

[thee ANTiHiPSTER]

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