Ramones

The Ramones played 2,263 concerts in 22 years, a near-continuous touring run that carried their stripped-down punk rock from Forest Hills, Queens, to audiences far beyond New York. Formed in 1974, the group helped establish the punk movement in the United States and elsewhere, and is widely recognized among the first bands of the genre. They released fourteen studio albums, though significant commercial success eluded them during their active years.

The band's members all adopted the surname Ramone despite not being related. The name was inspired by Paul McCartney's early stage name, Paul Ramon, used when the Beatles were still known as the Silver Beetles. The original lineup was Joey Ramone on lead vocals, Dee Dee Ramone on bass, Johnny Ramone on guitar and Tommy Ramone on drums. Joey and Johnny remained the only constants through the band's lifespan.

Lineup changes began when Tommy left in 1978 to pursue record production and Marky Ramone took over on drums. Marky was replaced by Richie Ramone in 1983, and after Richie departed in 1987, Elvis Ramone briefly played with the group before Marky returned. Dee Dee left two years later, with C. J. Ramone joining on bass. From 1989 until the end, the Ramones consisted of Joey, Johnny, Marky and C. J. Ramone.

After touring as part of Lollapalooza in 1996, the Ramones played a farewell concert in Los Angeles and disbanded. By 2014, all four original members had died: Joey in 2001, Dee Dee in 2002, Johnny in 2004 and Tommy in 2014. Their standing grew after the breakup. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, in its first year of eligibility, with the original four members and Marky Ramone honored. In 2011, the Ramones received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.