Time Capsule: Oct. 8, 1948

Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone (real name John William Cummings) was born 60 years ago.

Johnny began playing in bands as a teenager, and one of those acts, Tangerine Puppets, featured future Ramones drummer Tommy Ramone (real name Tamas Erdelyi).

In the mid '70s, Johnny met future Ramones bassist Dee Dee Ramone (real name Douglas Colvin) and they became friends. Johnny later formed the Ramones with singer Joey Ramone (real name Jeffrey Hyman) and a bassist named Richie Stern, but Dee Dee joined after Stern left the band. Tommy Ramone was later added as drummer.

Johnny quickly became known for his signature "buzz saw" guitar style, which has influenced practically every punk rock guitarist to come after him, and which also influenced thrash metal and British metal bands like Iron Maiden. He and Joey were the only members to remain part of the Ramones from their formation until their dissolution in 1996.

Unfortunately, Johnny and Joey didn't like each other because Johnny began dating Joey's ex-girlfriend. Relations between the two remained cool until Joey's death from cancer in 2001. Johnny would not call or visit Joey while the latter musician was dying.

Johnny died of prostate cancer in 2004 and Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder and Rob Zombie were with him when he passed away.