Rick B. (bup) - , reviewed on 9/17/2011 + 165 more book reviews

A ragged but compelling read. Mostly about Jeffry Hyman/Joey Ramone, Mickey Leigh/Mitch Hyman gets a little defensive and whiny about his own actions at points. Distractingly so. Also, it's weird how it's a first person account of knowing Joey Ramone his whole life, but then throws in quotes from other people, always with "XXX recalled" or "ZZZ admitted." Like he's a third-person researcher. Which I guess he was - he interviewed a lot of people to help with the book - but still, it's often scenes where the author was present. So it's just weird.

"My dad had a hard time reconciling that in the book," my daughter confessed to me as I wrote this. "He often looked at the book with that little crinkly thing going on between his eyebrows," my wife explained.

It's a feel-great story about Joey, except for when he and his brother (the author) butted heads. Fair enough.

Do not read this book if you love Johnny Ramone, or if you want to maintain your vision of the Ramones as a bunch of loveable screwups.

And, as everything Ramones should conclude - hey Joey, thanks for saving rock n' roll.

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