Gabba Gabba Hey

by Carl Cafarelli

For the first time, you can read the Ramones' comments about their own history in this intimate series of interviews with the legendary band. The Ramones were arguably the single most influential rock 'n' roll act to emerge from that curious muddle of magic and mediocrity called the 1970s. Two of the group's founding members—singer Joey Ramone and bassist Dee Dee Ramone—didn't live to see the Ramones become icons of popular culture, hear their music in TV commercials, or experience the unlikely adoption of "Blitzkrieg Bop" as a sports anthem. Guitarist Johnny Ramone barely lived long enough to see it begin, and drummer Tommy Ramone's death in 2014 wrote finis to the mortal part of the Ramones' story. The legend endured.  In 1994, as the Ramones celebrated their 20th anniversary, then-current members Joey, Johnny, drummer Marky, and bassist C. J. knew the group's Road To Ruin would soon approach its end. Given an opportunity to assess where they'd been and what was left to do, they agreed to a series of interviews discussing the entirety of the Ramones' story.  This is that a career-spanning discussion of the Ramones' career, an intimate glimpse at how the Ramones viewed their work, their experiences, their impact, their legacy, their fans, and each other. It's a unique and fascinating peek into what it was like to be one of the few, the proud, the Ramones. For the first time, you can read the Ramones' published comments about their own history, and much, much more than ever could have fit into a single magazine issue.

Genres: Music

126 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 2023

Reviews

[Zandt McCue · Rating 4 out of 5]

My interest in all things related to the Ramones stems from my Father's affiliation with the band. Despite not harboring a significant penchant for music due to my upbringing in a markedly different environment, I've found myself particularly drawn to the band members themselves. As someone captivated by human dynamics, it's fascinating to consider the narrative of four individuals from Queens who coalesced to establish a globally renowned band that, despite never achieving a number one hit, saw its songs resonate in countless sports arenas. Remarkably, the band's records never achieved gold status during their active period, a fact that I find intriguing.

Regarding Carl Cafarelli's contribution, it's noteworthy that he approaches the content of this concise book without any reservations. His prior interview with the band's active members in 1994 serves as a foundational element for the subsequent narrative. This account can be likened to a condensed rendition of their history, narrated by the band themselves, with a particular focus on each album. While glimpses of insight are provided when members depart from the band, intricate details of their day-to-day lives as Ramones are not thoroughly explored.

Engaging with this text conjures a sense of engaging in a casual conversation among friends. Interestingly, the orchestrated nature of the interview, wherein band members individually share their perspectives, gradually recedes from one's awareness. This serves to underscore the organic quality of the exchange.

In contrast to desiring another sensationalized exposé on the Ramones resembling tabloid fodder, the absence of salacious details such as Johnny's alleged romantic entanglements adds a level of appreciation to the content. Particularly enlightening is Johnny's discussion of the music itself, encompassing his preferences for specific songs and his observations on production quality. While a more comprehensive exploration of the lyrical and inspirational facets of each song would have been appreciated, it's crucial to acknowledge that this interview's primary focus lies elsewhere.

[Martin Castle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book though short to be fair in one sitting it’s brilliant! It’s such a clever format bringing together separate interviews with the band members asking the same questions giving the impression they are being interviewed together at the same time. Simple but great. Lots I didn’t know about the band is brought out in the straightforward questions nothing fancy just great open questions giving them time to flesh out their replies. A great book.