Eight years after he died of prostate cancer, Johnny Ramone's autobiography is finally being published.
AP reports "Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone" is set for release April 2 by Abrams Image.
In an interview Tuesday, his widow, Linda, described the book as "kind of his last word that he knew would be out."
"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," she added later. "That is the biggest, most powerful thing, writing a book when you know you're dying."
Johnny Ramone, whose real name was John Cummings, was one of the founding members of the legendary New York City-based punk band the Ramones, members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Considered one of the most influential guitarists in rock, he died in 2004 at age 55 after battling cancer for five years.
Linda Ramone said he started writing the book when he first became ill: "Johnny's legacy to him was so important, even while he was sick. ... It was like he knew he was dying, and he wanted to do something."
Billed as 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.
“Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone” will be released in stores and online nationwide on April 2nd. 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 foreward 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.
Ramones The Ramones – Commando
See also:
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The Ramones to receive Lifetime Grammy Award
