Dee Dee King

American songwriter and musician, born September 18, 1951 in Fort Lee, Virginia, USA and died from a heroin overdose June 5, 2002 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Dee Dee King was an alias used by Dee Dee Ramone from 1987 to 1989 to release rap music while still in The Ramones. In 1987 he released the Funky Man 12" on the short-lived Rock Hotel Records, a sub-label of Profile Records. This was Dee Dee's first solo release. In March 1989, he released his only full-length rap album (and first solo album), Standing In The Spotlight on Sire, a sub-label of Warner Music Group, and the same label The Ramones were currently signed to. The album features guest appearances from Deborah Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie, and includes a variety of musical styles including rap, rock, and doo-wop. A few months later on July 5, 1989, Dee Dee played his last show with The Ramones and soon after formed his first solo band, Dee Dee Ramone & The Spikey Tops. In 1995 The Ramones included a cover of "The Crusher" from Standing In The Spotlight on their final studio album, ¡Adios Amigos!.