SPILL BOOK REVIEW: JENN L. BECKWITH – ALL GOOD CRETINS GO TO HEAVEN: THE ENDURING SPIRIT OF THE RAMONES

JENN L. BECKWITH – ALL GOOD CRETINS GO TO HEAVEN: THE ENDURING SPIRIT OF THE RAMONES

EARTH ISLAND BOOKS/DIWULF PUBLISHING

BOOK REVIEW BY BRYAN WILLISTON

All Good Cretins Go To Heaven: The Enduring Spirit of the Ramones, by Jenn L. Beckwith, is a unique publication, and an interesting addition to the growing number of books about the fabled Godfathers of Punk. Billed as “an open love letter to Ramones from the fans and those closest to them, sharing their love in photos, artwork, and memories,” the book is part music and cultural history lesson, part interview, part testimonial, and part oral history. Capably researched by Gary Lynn Clevenger, and compiled and written by Beckwith, there is triumph in mounting such an effort, and seeing it to fruition. However, the sheer volume of information – the variety of stories, facts, visuals, and opinions – does not always work in the creators’ favour.

Beckwith sets up the book nicely in her introduction, acknowledging the community support which started between her and Clevenger on a Ramones fan Facebook page, and which made the book possible. She stresses the outsider nature of the Ramones as a band, and how listeners identified with that nature, being outsiders themselves. This is a key idea, which is common to many Ramones fans around the world.

Part One of the book is an exhaustive history lesson, about Forest Hills in Queens, New York, from which the band hailed. The author goes into prolonged detail about life and culture in America, and the conditions which spawned the band. The history is very complete, but maybe too complete. Many times, it seems like the writer is catering to readers who may not have heard of the Ramones or even, of rock ‘n’ roll. Giving political and social background into the story is one thing, but some points, such as listing top television shows and movies of the era, seem unnecessary, and a bit like overkill. Some sections read like lengthy lists or Wikipedia entries, with fact upon fact, which are not always specifically germane to the subject matter.

The second chapter, “John, Jeff, Doug and Tom”, is well structured and organized, but throughout much of this section and elsewhere in the book, there is much jumping around in time, as facts are revealed. The book is not always an easy read. During some passages, sidebar facts and stories are introduced which, instead of clarifying, actually create distraction. At times the book reads as though someone has created a written transcript of a recorded audio story. Not everything comes out grammatically well, and confusion arises, hampering the story.

Some aspects of the presentation of All Good Cretins Go To Heaven: The Enduring Spirit of the Ramones are not satisfying. There are redeeming factors though, such as the testimonial sections from their long-time tour manager Monte Melnick, or Joey Ramone’s brother, Mickey Leigh. In both instances, we get a glimpse of the band’s inner workings, separate from the earlier detailed lists and simple chronological reporting. The section pertaining to uber fan and friend of the Ramones, Rick Johnson, also gives insight into the band. These sections present the human side of the band and the people they associated with.

A further area of the book is more akin to oral history and shines a light on the fact of the Ramones being “outsider rock”, and champions of the marginalized. Here, some of the personal connections that they forged with fans are demonstrated. There is one touching story of a troubled teen who saw the band give their first show at CBGB’s and saw them many times after that. At the end of her testimonial she says, “There is something I need to add. It is what made my experience with the Ramones so important to me. To my surprise one night Joey Ramone walked up to me after a set and asked me if I was okay. He watched me each night right in front of him at the stage as he sang realizing there was something seriously wrong with me and thought maybe I needed to talk.” She goes on to describe how Joey Ramone listened to her unload about her troubled life, “On a more serious note, I probably wouldn’t be here today if he hadn’t intervened the way he did a couple of times when I felt that life wasn’t worth living.”

All Good Cretins Go To Heaven: The Enduring Spirit of the Ramones is a disparate achievement. It is both comprehensive and overly descriptive, at the same time. It has great variety in the information presented, but that variety, at times, makes it difficult to follow. Still, to tackle a subject as deep as the Ramones and their music is no mean feat. It is a book by fans and for fans and should be applauded.

ISBN 10: 1916864945
ISBN 13: 978-1916864948

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