Commando (book)
Commando is the autobiography of guitarist and songwriter Johnny Ramone of the punk rock band The Ramones.[1] The book was released in 2012 by Linda Ramone, surviving spouse of Johnny Ramone, following the death of Johnny in 2004 from prostate cancer.[2]
 | |
| Author | Johnny Ramone |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Autobiography |
| Published | 2012 (Abrams Image) |
| Pages | 176 |
| ISBN | 978-0-810-99660-1 |
Content
Commando is an autobiography on the life of Johnny Ramone. He began writing the book in 1999 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. In an interview with Billboard Magazine, Linda Ramone stated:
It is a really powerful book because his whole life has gone before him and he knows it's going to come to an end, and he really needs to tell everybody what he's feeling inside, so that's what makes it so amazing. That is the biggest, most powerful thing, writing a book when you know you're dying.[1]
The book is 176 pages and contains pictures that were chosen by Linda Ramone.[1] It contains musings from Johnny's childhood and personal stories of his life and time with The Ramones.[1] Events he includes in the book are his admission to getting a New York City police officer to release mace into an audience at a Ramones concert.[3] Additional events include him beating up Malcolm McLaren as well as his bandmates Joey and Dee Dee.[3] The book also covers his relationship with his wife Linda Ramone and the events surrounding her initially dating Joey Ramone before she left Joey for Johnny.[4]
The epilogue was written by Lisa Marie Presley, a close friend of Johnny and Linda Ramone.[1] The foreword of the book was written by the only surviving original member of The Ramones at that time, Tommy Ramone.[1] Tommy was quoted as saying:
[the book] is a no holds barred, 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.[1]
Reception
The book was released in April 2012. Prior to and following the release, Linda Ramone promoted the book by giving numerous interviews in both print and televised national media, including Fox News,[2] Billboard Magazine,[5] and MTV.[4] The book was reviewed by numerous well known publications including the Houston Chronicle,[6] the National Post,[7] PopMatters,[8] and MTV which called the book a must-have for any Ramones fan.[4]
References
- Moody, Nekesa Mumbi (18 January 2012). "Johnny Ramone's 'Commando' Autobiography To Be Released In April". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- Kensler, Chris (3 April 2012). "Johnny Ramone is the driven, but practical, inventor of punk rock in autobiography Commando". Fox News. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- "Commando – The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone". Scannerzine. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- Ray, Austin L. (17 April 2012). "Linda Ramone on Johnny Ramone's Fearless Life and Death". MTV. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- Gostin, Nicki (17 April 2012). "Linda Ramone Q&A – Johnny Was Intense, Angry, Smart, Republican". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- Dansby, Andrew (8 April 2012). "Review: Commando, Johnny Ramone's manual for punk living". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- Go, Justin (6 August 2012). "Book Review: Commando, by Johnny Ramone". The National Post. Archived from the original on 3 October 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
- Maine, David (8 May 2012). "Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone by Johnny Ramone Reads Something Like a Ramones Song". PopMatters. Retrieved 29 September 2013.