Rock legend loses cancer battle

JOHNNY RAMONE, guitarist and co-founder of the seminal punk band, The Ramones, who influenced a generation of rockers, has died at the age of 55.

Ramone, who had been fighting a five-year battle with prostate cancer, died in his sleep on Wednesday afternoon at his Los Angeles home, surrounded by friends and family, said the band’s long-time artistic director Arturo Vega.

“He had the strategy. He was the guy who not only looked after the band’s interest but he also was their defender,” Vega said.