He is best known for performing from 1989 to 1996 as the bassist, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of the punk rock group the Ramones after replacing original bassist Dee Dee Ramone, a role that lasted until the band's retirement.

He also played in Guitar Pete's Axe Attack, Los Gusanos, Bad Chopper.

Ward went to the audition with the sole purpose of jamming with the Ramones; he was not "nervous or intimidated" as he had no intention of getting the job but much to his surprise, he did.

After being discharged from the Marines and learning 40 Ramones songs in five weeks, Ward played his first live show with the band on September 30, 1989.

He eventually learned to adapt by lowering his bass down to his kneecap and wearing sweatbands to protect his wrists.

[6] Ward sang many well-known Ramones songs and gave the band a younger image.

While Ward's first live show with the Ramones was on September 30, 1989, in Leicester, England, his official debut with the band was actually three weeks earlier on September 4 during the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon that aired on WWOR-TV in New York.

[7] Prior to joining the Ramones, Ward played an early '70s Fender Jazz Bass and always played fingerstyle, explaining in a 2015 interview with Fender that he stopped at a music store to buy picks on his way to first meet the band.

While with the Ramones, Ward also had a custom-made Mosrite Bass made for him by Semie Moseley, white with a tortoiseshell pickguard.

Before the Ramones, Ward played in a heavy metal band called Guitar Pete's Axe Attack, where he appeared on two albums.