The Ramones Releases Autobiography, Hosts Book Signing

"Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone," comes out nationwide on April 2nd, 2012 from Abrams Image. The definitive book on The Ramones, "Commando…" is the first and only autobiographical work written by a founding member of the Ramones chronicling his life, and the story of the band itself, from start to finish. Johnny authors an 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. 

Ramones will have a book signing tonight, March 30, in NYC at Barnes & Noble Tribeca at 6:00 PM. The address is 97 Warren Street.

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.

In his forward, Tommy Ramone says, "Joey, Dee Dee, and I gravitated to Johnny because he was so charismatic and interesting. He was the magnet that pulled us together."

"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.

Candid and revealing, "Commando…" reveals Johnny's issues with violence, from beating up Malcolm McLaren for talking to his date to slugging Joey just for being late to the movies. And, once and for all, Johnny pulls back the curtain to address the real and controversial story behind the origin of his relationship with his wife, Linda, the love of his life and companion of over two decades.

The Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 and nearly a decade later received a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement. Johnny is listed in Time Magazine's "10 Greatest Electric Guitar Players and is #16 in Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 100 Guitarists of All-Time. 

"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 at http://www.johnnyramone.com. 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 three different languages throughout Europe and Brazil with more soon to be announced.

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