Review: Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone

With Marky Ramone - October 2014

As previously written about here I'm a Ramones fan. Beyond the music I've become interested in what was going on behind the scenes. Along with the excellent liner notes included in the band's remastered catalog, the documentary End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones, Dee Dee and Johnny's memoirs and tour manager Monte Melnick's On the Road with the Ramones we now have the latest (and possibly final?) word on the Ramones from someone who lived it. Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone covers his entire run as drummer for the band and much much more.

Like many autobiographies Mary Ramone's starts with his childhood. From the get go you feel like Marky is in the room talking with you. He has a nice laid back, conversational style and it makes for an entertaining read. He covers discovering music and taking up the drums. He then spends time covering his musical career before the Ramones when he played drums for the band Dust.

In addition to Dust Marky also documents his time with Estus, Richard Hell and the Voidoids and Wayne County and the Backstreet Boys. This is an interesting section of the book and shows that Marky had some serious credentials when he replaced Tommy as drummer for the Ramones.

Marky details the audition and rehearsals for the Ramones as well as recording his first album with the band, Road to Ruin. This is the section of the book that most people are probably interested in and it delivers. Beyond Road to Ruin Marky covers filming Rock 'n' Roll High School, touring and recording End of the Century with producer Phil Spector.

Marky also writes candidly about his  dependence on alcohol. It's not immediately apparent but we slowly discover that Marky was an alcoholic. The way the events leading up to his dismissal from the Ramones and eventual stints in rehab are presented in a unique way. Marky never clearly spells out that he was slowly losing control. Instead we see things from his point of view and sympathize with his plight.

His post-Ramones life is an excellent section of the book. He details his recovery and his work as a bike messenger and as part of a demolition crew. Marky's exploits out of the music business were a surprising and welcome addition to the book.

Of course Marky found his way back into the Ramones and he takes us straight through to the band's final show and beyond. Post-Ramones there is the untimely passing of Joey, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Dee Dee and Johnny's deaths and what he's been doing since the Ramones.

Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone is really more than your standard dirt slinging rock and roll memoir. It's Marc Bell's journey to musical immortality and more importantly his triumph over addiction.