Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone died on September 15, 2004, after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 55 years old.Johnny, whose real name was John Cummings, rose to fame as a punk rock pioneer with the Ramones, who cut their teeth playing in New York’s famed CBGB club in the mid and late-1970s. Johnny’s signature style of down-strumming barre chords was highly influential to performers in the punk, heavy metal and alternative rock scenes. Johnny was also famous for his contentious relationship with group frontman Joey Ramone. The two reportedly rarely spoke, even as the band remained together. When Joey was in the hospital, dying of cancer, in 2001, Johnny refused to visit or call his former bandmate.