Dee Dee Romone 1952 - 2002 :(

[Rebecca Lewis <smoot>]

http://www.officialramones.com says:
Dee Dee Ramone Dies
Ramones founding bassist found dead in L.A. home
1952-2002
Ramones bassist Dee Dee Ramone (born Douglas Colvin) died at his Los
Angeles home last night; he was forty-nine. According to the Los Angeles
County Coroner's Office, the cause of death has not yet been determined,
though an accidental drug overdose is suspected. Drug paraphernalia,
including a syringe, was found near the body. An autopsy is being
conducted today, though the toxicology results won't be known for three to
eight weeks.
Dee Dee was one of the four original Ramones. Along with guitarist Johnny
Ramone, drummer Tommy Ramone and singer Joey Ramone -- who died last year
of complications from lymphoma -- he formed the band in 1974 in Forest
Hills, New York. With the release of their self-titled 1976 debut album of
two-minute, three-chord blasts, they would be known as the first punk rock
band.
Dee Dee remained a Ramone for fifteen years, leaving in after 1989's Brain
Drain to release a rap album under the name Dee Dee King and then
subsequently forming the unheralded Chinese Dragons.
He made his last major public appearance at the Ramones' induction into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March of this year. "I think it means
we're very lucky," he said of the band's induction, backstage. "We have
like unlimited luck potential. We worked for everything we got, but we
still have charmed existences."
During his acceptance speech, Dee Dee displayed his notorious oddball wit.
"I'd like to congratulate myself and thank myself and give myself a pat on
the back," he said. "Thank you, Dee Dee."
COLIN DEVENISH
(June 6, 2002)