The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone
THE definitive book on The Ramones arrives at last with “COMMANDO: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHNNY RAMONE”. This is the real deal, straight from the source—a razor sharp stiletto from the grave delivering the story that has never been told before.
On Friday, March 30th join Johnny’s wife and companion of over two decades, LINDA RAMONE, with sole surviving founding member, producer and original drummer TOMMY RAMONE, and “Commando” Editor/JRA Chief of Staff JOHN CAFIERO (of Osaka Popstar) for a special instore book signing event, Q&A and more, starting 6pm at Barnes & Noble in Tribeca @ 97 Warren Street, New York, NY 10007, 212-587-5389.
“Commando” arrives in stores and online nationwide on April 2nd from Abrams Image. Pick your copy up at Barnes & Noble in NYC on Friday March 30th and get it signed! Click here for directions and more info.
“Johnny Ramone was a living legend. A true enigma. One in a Million. I reveled in his iron-clad, piss and vinegar sort of temperament towards everything and life in general…Long Live Johnny Ramone!!!!” – Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
Johnny’s Official Facebook profile is: www.facebook.com/johnnyramoneand Johnny’s official twitter is @johnnyramone
COMMANDO: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHNNY RAMONE
AVAILABLE IN STORES & ONLINE NATIONWIDE APRIL 2012
The ultimate music autobiography arrives at last in the form of Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone out nationwide on April 2nd, 2012 from Abrams Image. THE definitive book on The Ramones, Commando is the first and only truly autobiographical work written by a founding member of the legendary Ramones chronicling his life, and the story of the band itself, from start to finish. Johnny authors a brutally honest and detailed firsthand account of the band, from inception and their humble beginnings at CBGB in 1974 all the way through to their retirement in 1996 and beyond. This is the real deal, straight from the source—a razor sharp stiletto from the grave delivering the story that has never been told before.
“Johnny Ramone’s autobiography is a no holds bared, straight forward book written in a no-nonsense style that is Johnny personified. His story is written in his own actual words, so the reader gets an insight into what made him the unique, charismatic and exciting individual that he was. It also gives a great view of the Ramones from Johnny’s perspective.” – Tommy Ramone
The Ramones emerged from New York City’s underground rock scene in the mid 70’s to become a global, genre-defining force for rock & roll. Johnny Ramone, (born John Cummings 1948–2004), found his reprieve from a dead-end life through rock and roll as a founding member of one of the most influential bands of all time. Despite his ultimate success with The Ramones, Johnny never really strayed from his working-class roots and attitude. The tough guy from the streets of Queens assumed the role of the tough guy in the band who kept The Ramones focused and moving forward, ultimately securing the seminal band’s place in rock history. The Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 18, 2002, and nearly a decade later, the seminal band was awarded a Grammy for lifetime achievement.
Commando is Johnny’s story and the story of The Ramones told in his own words. Insightful and introspective, the 176-page, visually driven memoir walks through Johnny’s days as a founding member of one of the world’s most iconic bands and also chronicles his personal life beyond the stage. Never afraid to speak his mind, it includes raw and unflinching opinions of the band as well as his fellow peers in music and even the struggle with cancer that ultimately took him. Grounded in decades of his own meticulous records and notes, Johnny also shares his personal assessment of The Ramones catalog, several of his brilliantly eccentric Top Ten Lists, rare historical artifacts and scores of personal and professional photos, most of which have never been seen before.
Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone will be released in stores and online nationwide on April 2nd, 2012 from Abrams Image for $24.95 with pre-ordered copies available through the Johnny Ramone Army Online Store. E-book will be available on Kindle, iPad, Nook, Kobo and Sony Reader. Global demand for the book is already such that rights have been pre-sold in four different languages throughout Europe and Brazil with more soon to be announced.
Among other incredible offerings, “Commando” includes a foreword written by sole surviving founding member, drummer, Tommy Ramone, and an epilogue written by Johnny’s close friend (and daughter to the King), Lisa Marie Presley. “Commando” was edited by longtime Ramones collaborator John Cafiero, (who also contributed an afterword to the book), with co-editors Steve Miller and Henry Rollins.
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NY MAGAZINE PREVIEW
There’s a 6-page preview of the book in the 3/26 print edition of NY Magazine on newsstands now and a 3-page preview online at NY Mag’s website. The cover of the issue is attached and here’s the link to the 3-page online feature.
OR you can link to the news at Johnny’s site via this link.
New York Magazine’s “Becoming Johnny Ramone” feature offers readers a generous sampling from the forthcoming book “COMMANDO: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone”—out nationwide April 2nd via Abrams Image.
Click Here to read New York Mag’s 3-page online spread consisting of in-depth excerpts of text from the book, accompanied by a few choice photos from the rock icon’s posthumous tomb.
As an added bonus, New York Magazine also presents a condensed rendering of a supplemental chapter in which Johnny grades the Ramones studio albums, and comments on each one with personal anecdotes.
Look for the complete 6-page “Becoming Johnny Ramone” spread in the March 26th issue of New York Magazine on newsstands now.