John William Cummings was born today in Queens, New York in 1948. Better known as Johnny Ramone, he was a founding member of one of the most important rock acts of all time, The Ramones. He and Tommy Ramone played in a band called Tangerine Puppets before The Ramones got together. Johnny eventually met Dee Dee Ramone, who already knew Joey Ramone, and thus The Ramones were born.

Did I mention we’re talking about The Ramones? (Today is also the birthday of C.J. Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone’s replacement.)

Johnny was a true American original. He was a hardcore right-winger living in a world populated by liberals. In his acceptance speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Johnny said, “God bless President Bush and God bless America”. He was a big supporter of the NRA and was friends with Charlton Heston. Johnny disapproved of The Ramones songs that made reference to drugs. He was the walking embodiment of the punk ethos – thumbing his nose at the punk “establishment” while being an integral part of that establishment.

The Ramones in general, and Johnny in particular, are often mischaracterized as being less than accomplished musicians. While this may be true for some punk bands (looking at you, Sex Pistols) it is not true with The Ramones and Johnny. Johnny was a huge fan of Jimmy Page and emulated Page’s downstroke style on the song “Communication Breakdown.” As one of the best and most innovative rhythm guitarists of the time, Johnny influenced a wide range of non-punk bands (Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth) while formulating the blueprint for future punk bands to follow.

Perhaps the greatest honor bestowed upon Johnny and The Ramones is that Motorhead wrote a song about them. You know you’ve made it when Lemmy pens a song titled “R.A.M.O.N.E.S.”.

Johnny died on September 15, 2005 and he is memorialized every year at the cemetery in which he is buried. People that have taken part in the ceremony include Eddie Vedder, Rob Zombie, Steve Jones, Kirk Hammett, John Frusciante, Chris Cornell and Pete Yorn.

Here is “I Don’t Wanna Go Down To the Basement” off of The Ramones first album: