40 years of Ramones – in pictures

This photograph of the Ramones by Roberta Bayley was for their first album cover. Formed in 1974 in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, the band first had Jeffrey Hyman on drums, John Cummings on guitar and Douglas Colvin providing vocals and bass. Colvin was the first to use the name Ramone, calling himself Dee Dee. Hyman became Joey, Cummings Johnny, and the Ramones were born Photograph: Roberta Bayley/Redferns

Ramones in concert at the Agora Ballroom in Atlanta on 30 January 1979. Dee Dee realised he couldn't sing and play bass and so Joey took over vocals. A drummer was needed. Their manager, Thomas Erdelyi, auditioned wannabes, but it soon became apparent that he himself was the man for the job, and Tommy Ramone was born. However, Dee Dee continued with the trademark 1-2-3-4 before each song Photograph: Tom Hill/WireImage

The band signed to Sire records in 1975 and, on 23 May 1976, released their eponymous debut album. The reason for choosing the name is disputed. In an interview with the Soho Weekly News in 1975, Tommy said it was chosen because 'It's a nice name … it just sounds nice.' Others say it was Dee Dee who was inspired by Paul McCartney, who would use the name Paul Ramon when checking into hotels Photograph: Peter Mazel/Rex Features

Joey and Dee Dee on stage at the Roundhouse on 4 July 1976. The Ramones were unloved in the US outside NYC, but things changed when they came to the UK. They supported the Flamin' Groovies at the Roundhouse in London on 4 and 5 July 1976, and were a huge success. These gigs are said to have inspired the Damned and the Clash to kickstart punk in the UK Photograph: Gus Stewart/Redferns

Marc Bolan with Johnny, Joey and Tommy in London in 1976 Photograph: Richard Young/Rex Features

Joey Ramone and Debbie Harry of Blondie, posing for Punk Magazine at Harry's apartment in New York, 1977 Photograph: Roberta Bayley/Redferns

Johnny at Eric's, in Liverpool, on 19 May 1977; where they were supported by Talking Heads. The band released two albums in 1977: Leave Home, on 10 January, and Rocket to Russia, which came out on 4 November Photograph: Ian Dickson/Redferns

The Ramones stand outside the demolished Cavern Club in Mathew Street, Liverpool, in 1977. Although the warehouses at street level were levelled, the original cellar was not destroyed, but filled in with rubble from above Photograph: Ian Dickson/Rex Features

Joey Ramone on a surf board at Coney Island in 1977 Photograph: Roberta Bayley/Redferns

Punk rockers Vicki Blue and Joan Jett of the Runaways, Debbie Harry of Blondie, David Johansen of the New York Dolls, Joey Ramone, and Joey's brother Mickey Leigh perform a fake wedding ceremony in the late 1970s Photograph: Roberta Bayley/Corbis

On 31 December 1977, the Ramones recorded It's Alive at the Rainbow theatre in London. The double album was released in April 1979 Photograph: Roberta Bayley/Rex Features

Johnny Ramone performing live on stage Photograph: Gus Stewart/Redferns

Joey and Dee Dee at the Old Waldorf club in San Francisco, January 1978 Photograph: Ed Perlstein/Redferns

Dee Dee, Joey, Tommy and Johnny in Amsterdam in September 1978. Tommy tired of touring and quit drumming duties in 1978, although he did help produce the band Photograph: Alamy

Marc Bell replaced Tommy and became Marky Ramone. Three weeks later, work started on the fourth studio album, Road to Ruin. In 1979, the Ramones made their movie debut in Rock'n'Roll High School. After seeing the movie, Phil Spector became involved with the band and produced their next album, End of the Century, which was released on 4 February 1980. The result was a much softer pop sound, which didn't go down well with the band or the fans. Spector's relationship with the band came to an end Photograph: Everett Collection/Rex Features

Johnny Ramone at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1979 Photograph: David Corio/Redferns

Johnny, Joey, Marky and Dee Dee in 1981 Photograph: Sire Records/Getty Images

Johnny Ramone at the Hollywood Palladium in 1988. Between 1981 and 1995, the band released a further nine studio albums, and there were more changes of personnel – including Richie Ramone, Elvis Ramone and CJ Ramone Photograph: Steve Appleford/Corbis

The Ramones are said to have played over 2,200 concerts, touring virtually non-stop for 22 years. Their last gig was at the Palace in Hollywood in 1996 Photograph: Roberta Bayley/Redferns

Three of the band's four founding members – Joey, Johnny, and Dee Dee – died within eight years of the breakup. Here, mourners stop by CBGB's in New York in 2001 to lay flowers and pay their respects at a shrine to Joey. You can read Joey's obituary here, Johnny's here and Dee Dee's here Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Tommy Ramone in 1977. Tommy died at his home in New York on 11 July 2014 aged 62 after a battle with cancer Photograph: Ian Dickson/REX/Ian Dickson/REX

Tommy Ramone, of The Ramones, on drums at The Old Waldorf Nightclub in San Francisco, 1978 Photograph: Richard McCaffrey/Getty Images

Tommy Ramone with Johnny Ramone's wife Linda at the 8th Annual Johnny Ramone Tribute in Los Angeles, 2012 Photograph: Sipa USA/REX

Tommy Ramone in March 2012 Photograph: Mcmullan Co/Sipa/rex