by Johnny Ramone (Author)
A brutally honest, photo-packed memoir from the guitarist who helped invent punk rock.
Raised in Queens with a blue-collar edge, Johnny Ramone co-founded the Ramones and drove them with military precision--earning a reputation as the band's drill sergeant and its backbone.
In Commando, Johnny tells his story in his own words: from rebellious youth to global icon, from the birth of punk to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
This photo-packed volume is more than a life story--it's a time capsule of punk history. Inside you'll find:
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Candid reflections on fame, discipline, and the Ramones' rise.
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Johnny's personal rankings of every Ramones album.
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Eccentric Top Ten lists--from favorite horror films to Elvis classics.
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Pages from his legendary "black books" filled with notes, anecdotes, and inspirations.
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Rare photos and memorabilia, many published for the first time.
Praised by fans as "honest, fast, and straight to the point," Commando feels like a conversation with Johnny himself--gritty, unapologetic, and unforgettable.
Whether you're a lifelong Ramones fan or discovering punk's roots, this is the ultimate insider's account of a band that changed music forever.
The Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002--and two years later, Johnny died of cancer, having outlived two other founding members.
"Feels like a conversation with Johnny." --The Boston Globe
Author Biography
John Cummings (1948-2004), aka Johnny Ramone, was ranked by Rolling Stone as #16 on its list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." In Time's rating of the "10 Greatest Electric-Guitar Players," he was named, in a fit of appropriate rebellion, #11.
Number of Pages: 176
Dimensions: 0.7 x 8.9 x 6.9 IN
Illustrated: Yes
Publication Date: April 01, 2012