All Good Cretins Go To Heaven: The Enduring Spirit of The Ramones

Jenn L. Beckwith & Gary Lynn Clevenger ★★★★ Earth Island/diwulf £19.99

ISBN 9781916864948 280 pages Love letter from the fans

Showing again how priceless memories can often outweigh professional interviews for fun and insight, children’s librarian Beckwith’s first book came from an idea with researcher Clevenger to honour the Ramones around their 50th anniversary that grew into an unashamed outpouring of love and details devoted fans cherish.

After describing the country and Queens neighbourhood that birthed the band in 1974, Beckwith details Ramones members, their influences, homes, relevant NY clubs, eateries and beaches, album cover photo locations, streets named after them, final resting places and other minutiae with academic precision. Extra weight comes from involving those close to the band, including road manager Monte Melnick, Joey’s brother Mickey Leigh, Dee Dee’s partner Vera and Rock ‘n’ Roll High School director Allan Arkush, along with friends and super-fans in I Was There style. Most fascinating is Shrish Gantz, who attended the band’s first CBGB appearance on 16 August 1974 as a lonely 14-year-old then every Ramones show at the Bowery club that followed.

Too often the unique unfettered joy of the

Ramones’ music takes second place to their internal tensions, personal problems and ugly aftermath after losing all four original members. Yet now this truly unique band has the celebration they deserve; a lovely starburst of pinhead passion and light for dark times. Kris Needs