Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone - Hardcover

Ramone, Johny

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 081099660X ISBN 13: 9780810996601

Publisher: Abrams, 2012

Synopsis

Raised in Queens, where he worked as a plumber while honing his guitar skills, Johnny Ramone eventually became a founding member of The Ramones, one of the most influential rock bands of all time.

Often called the first punk rock outfit, their status is now legendary. But despite becoming an international star when he was alive, Johnny never really strayed from his blue-collar roots and attitude. His bouts of delinquency as a kid might have given way to true discipline when it came to keeping the band in line, but he was truly imbued with the angry-young-man spirit that would characterise his persona on and off stage. Johnny was the driving force behind the Ramones, sometimes referred to as a drill sergeant, bringing order and regiment to the band. This was evident in the speed, accuracy and intensity of their music. Johnny kept the band focused and moving forward, ultimately securing their place in rock history.

The Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 and two years later, Johnny dies of cancer, outliving the other two founding members and getting the last and complete word. Brutally honest, revealing and touching, this is Johnny Ramones's story and the story of the Ramones from start to finish, told in his own words and on his own terms.

In addition to his story, the book will contain Johnny's annotated and graded assessment of the Ramones' albums, a number of eccentric Top Ten Lists; favourite Elvis films, favourite Republicans [Johnny was actually pretty conservative], favourite horror films, pages from his legendary "black books" with notes on concerts, inspirations, anecdotes and scores of black and white and colour photos, many of which have not been published before.

About this title

About the Author

John William Cummings (October 8th 1948 -- September 15th 2004), better known by the stage name Johnny Ramone, was the guitarist for the seminal punk rock group The Ramones. He was a founding member of the band and along with vocalist Jeffery Hyman, aka Joey Ram one, he remained a member throughout his career. He was placed at #1 6 on Rolling Stone magazine's 1 00 greatest guitarists of all time. In Time magazines 2009 rating of the "10 Greatest Electric Guitar Players," Johnny was named, in a fit of appropriate rebellion, #11.

From the Back Cover

Raised in Queens, New York, Johnny Ramone founded one of the most influential rock bands of all time, but he never strayed from his blue-collar roots and attitude. He was truly imbued with the angry-young-man spirit that would characterize his persona both on and off stage. Through it all, Johnny kept the band focused and moving forward, ultimately securing their place in music history by inventing punk rock. The Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002-two years later, Johnny died of cancer, having outlived two other founding members. Revealing, inspiring, and told on his own terms, this highly designed memoir also features Johnny's assessment of the Ramones' albums; a number of eccentric Top Ten lists; rare historical artifacts; and scores of personal and professional photos, many of which have never before been published.

Edition details

• Publisher: Abrams
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 081099660X
• ISBN 13: 9780810996601
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 176