Customer Reviews

Poison Heart: Surviving the Ramones (Music)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Just kidding, it wasn't that bad, I just couldn't resist. I waited over 10 years for this book, and I wish I could say it was 100% worth the wait. I agree from the reader who happens to be married to me--I can't beleive that after all those years with the Ramones, Dee Dee does not have ONE nice or positive memory or thing to say. Don't get me wrong, I liked the book. Dee Dee has a great sense of humor, and even at his worst there's something so loveable about the guy. It sounds corny but there really is an innate sweetness under all that drug abuse and New York attitude. It's really just kind of depressing that he seems to have had such a miserable time, and can't let go of most of the bitter memories and look back on the good times. The book seems to be a series of wretched stories about being broke, taking drugs, turning tricks, getting beat up, taking more drugs, overdosing, getting beat up or stabbed by insane girlfriends, or out trying to cop drugs. He tells the stories well but it would be nice if he had something positive to say. And I've spent time with the Ramones and agree that Joey can be moody and Johnny can be crabby and bossy, but that they are also nice people in general and can be fun to be with. I can't beleive there wasn't ONE show, ONE night when Dee Dee was up there, playing bass and jumping up and down and thought, "Man, this is pretty fun." Obviously there are a LOT of bad feelings left, which is too bad. This book is also a very, very effective example of why not to do drugs. You see Dee Dee go from looking like a heart-breakingly goodlooking, healthy young man in his 20's to The Cryptkeeper by 40. Swear to God, you see a picture of him now and you would never recognize him as the fine, babyfaced man he used to be. When you see him today he looks to be in his 60's (Sorry to hurt your feelings, Dee Dee, if you're reading this). Don't look at the pictures taken after 1989 if you want to remember him like he was. I do also agree, though, with the reader who says "Please Kill Me" gave you a better idea of the Ramones and the New York punk scene back then, and even of Dee Dee's life. Now that's a solid, satisfying read and includes almost as many of Dee Dee's words as this rather slim autobio does. Another thing that bugs me is there's absolutely NO mention of his wife of over 10 years, Vera Ramone, who he loved so much he married her in a church and had her name tattooed on his arm. Like she never existed, and I really wanted to hear about their marraige. I assume either they have some kind of written agreement that he can't write about her, or she asked him not to and they are close enough so he respects her wishes, or he's so damn bitter about that too he doesn't even bring it up. I hope it's the middle one. Anyway, Dee Dee gets some good stories about the punk scene in, is a good sport about the stupid decisions he's made in his life ("Putting out a rap album didn't exactly win me any popularity contests", he writes)and has a great sense of humor. Just wish the book wasn't so depressing--and that it wasn't so short.

No, it's not great literature. It's not supposed to be. It's a book about a punk band from one of the original scene-sters. It's a punk rock tell-all. If you want the history, read Please Kill Me. If you want the attitude, gossip, and drug stories read Dee Dee's book.

It's hard to believe that Dee Dee could go 15 years in the Ramones without having anything positive to say. I know he was on the dope but still you think making some of the greatest records and being part of one of the greatest bands of all time he would have at least a few happy moments. He doesn't.

A must read for any ramones fan, or those interested in the American punk rock counter- culture of the early 70's. In his book, Dee Dee weaves an ugly tapestry of drugs, filth, anger, and bitterness in a book--which took him five years to write. We suffer with him through countless attempts at detoxification, and tales of excess, whether it be drugs or women. The book gets quite graphic--not for those with a weak stomach. However, the book is a great read, and a great buy. Please excuse Dee Dee's grammar and spelling. (I found it charming.)

Yes, the headline is harsh....and for that I apologize. Kind of. As a Ramones fan, and knowing Dee Dee's "disenchantment" with the group that prompted his 1989 departure, I knew this book had the potential to be a one-sided rant, complete with horror stories from the road, tales of drug and alcohol over-indulgence, and beneath it all, how GREAT it was to be the founding member of the greatest punk rock band of all time. We got the first 2 of the 3 necessary criteria. This book NEVER touches on any of the glory of forming a group the likes of which no-one had EVER heard before. No rememberances of being the first American punk group to break big in England on our nation's Bi-Centennial. No tales of signing the major label record deal that would get the band distributed to every port in the world. Instead, we get about 150 pages of mispelled, poorly punctuated, non-sequitor ramblings that with the help of a good co-author COULD have been made MORE than readable. Dee Dee DID have such an accomplice in Veronica Kofman, who either is as iliterate as Mr. Colvin, or wanted to preserve the "street credibility" of Dee Dee's writings. That's what I hope, anyway. DO NOT GET ME WRONG. Dee Dee Ramone is in my opinion one of the most accomplished song writers rock and roll has EVER known, along with Buddy Holly, Brian Wilson, and so many others. It actually upset me that not only COULD Dee Dee write a book that was as disjointed and, in some spots COMPLETELY UNREALISTIC, but that his alleged co-author would proof-read this material and actually send it off to their publisher with a clear conscience. I know this will win me NO fans in the Ramones cyber-inner-circle, but I felt the need to be honest. I DID enjoy the spirit in which the book was written, and if the book were more cohesive and legible, perhaps the content would have been more palatable.

Dee Dee Ramone writes in a style all of his own. He describes his beginnings in Germany, and his later move to New York City, and of course his time with the Ramones. It all makes sense how he became what he did. Mother and Father were hated and he needed a way out bad.

He is the true punk. He represents everything about it. You can feel the essence of what was and is no more.

Roger Daltry of the Who once said that you have to be a little bit crazy to write good rock songs, and Pete Townshend writes great rock songs. The same could be said for Dee Dee Ramone. He wrote some great rock songs, and after reading this book you should have some insight into what sort of mind (or lack thereof) it takes write them. This is a very funny book, in a retarded sort of way. Sort of like the movie "Dumb & Dumber." For example, after Sid Vicious shoots speed with a hypo full of toilet water (not perfume but actual water out of a filthy toilet) and goes into convulsions, Dee Dee starts racing downstairs for help. But being too wasted he falls down the stairs and knocks himself unconscious. Poor guy should thank the Lord Almighty for Johnny Ramone and his hard *ss attitude, or Dee Dee would be planted in the bone orchard along with Thunders, Nolan, Vicious and the rest of his dope addict pals.

Look, if you're a Ramones fan, you may want to pick it up anyway, but really, all the best bits in here are covered in Legs McNeil's stellar PLEASE KILL ME; which covers the punk movement in its' entirety, and much more effectively than this whining, complaining, finger-pointing tome of malcontent. Dee Dee looks back on his time in the Ramones without a trace of the humor and insightfulness that made the Ramones so unique, and there are many unfortunate and confusing omissions, most strangely no mention (not one!) of his earlier marriage. Trust me: leave this one behind and pick up PLEASE KILL ME. (and no, I'm not the author of that book)(I'm not even related)

Third book we have on the Ramones, this is the best. Very natural and real read.

this was a good book. some people here are saying that it was a waste then forget you. pay respect. this is one of my favorite books. BUY IT!!!
Dee Dee i love you man. R.I.P