Joey Ramone Polaroid by Brad Balfour

Photographer: Brad Balfour

Edition: Limited

Joey Ramone original Polaroid.  Printed on hahnemuhle paper.  Signed and numbered by Photographer Brad Balfour.

Jeffrey Ross Hyman was born on May 19, 1951 in Queens, New York. He is known professionally as Joey Ramone and was an American musician, singer-songwriter, and lead vocalist of the punk rock band the Ramones. He was a countercultural icon because of his image, voice and reign as the frontman of the Ramones. Joey initially served as the group's drummer while Dee Dee Ramone was the original vocalist. However, when Dee Dee's vocal cords proved unable to sustain the demands of consistent live performances, Ramones manager Thomas Erdelyi suggested Joey switch to vocals. After a series of unsuccessful auditions in search of a new drummer, Erdelyi took over on drums, assuming the name Tommy Ramone.​ ​Joey’s signature cracks, hiccups, snarls, crooning and youthful voice made his one of punk rock's most recognizable voices. The Ramones were a major influence on the punk rock movement in the United States. Recognition of the band's importance built over the years, and they are now regularly represented in many assessments of all-time great rock music, such as the Rolling Stone lists of the 50 Greatest Artists of All Time and 25 Greatest Live Albums of All Time, VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock, and Mojo's 100 Greatest Albums. In 2002, the Ramones were voted the second greatest rock and roll band ever in Spin, trailing only the Beatles. Joey Ramone died following a seven-year battle with lymphoma on April 15, 2001.