Who was the lead singer of The Ramones?

Joey was the lead singer of The Ramones, performing under the name Joey Ramone.

Born Jeffrey Ross Hyman in Queens, New York, Joey helped form The Ramones in 1974 with Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, and Tommy Ramone. Although he initially played drums, he moved to lead vocals when Dee Dee found the demands of singing while playing bass too difficult. That change helped define the band’s classic lineup and sound.

Joey’s tall, lanky appearance, cracked vocal delivery, and energetic stage presence became central to The Ramones’ identity. He sang on every Ramones studio album and remained with the band until it broke up in 1996. The group’s short, fast songs helped establish the New York punk scene and influenced countless later rock bands.

A common mix-up is confusing Joey with Johnny Ramone, the guitarist, or Dee Dee Ramone, the bassist and an early vocalist. Joey remained the band’s principal frontman until his death from lymphoma in 2001.