With encouragement from his friend Dee Dee Ramone of The Ramones, lead singer Paul Collins began recording new material, forming a new version of The Beat known as The Paul Collins Beat. Paul Collins' 1st band The Nerves toured with The Ramones, funded their own tours and recordings during the 1970s. The Nerves' song Hanging On The Telephone later became a hit and has been covered by Cat Power, Blondie and Def Leppard. After The Nerves disbanded in 1977, Collins formed The Beat. Paul Collins ...