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 angr y-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 Ram ones 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. |
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