I've been a reading and writing fool lately.  Lots of things to come and soon.

Just now, BlogCritics published my latest review of a brand new book called Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone (the Ramones Years) by Vera Ramone King.  Click here to read it.

I'm very pleased with the way it turned out.  Not just because I liked the book but it also afforded me the opportunity to talk to Vera Ramone herself!

Going into the interview I knew we had several things in common.  Besides the obvious interest in the Ramones music and Dee Dee's part in it as the major contributor as songwriter we are both from Queens NY and are Leo babies.  What started out being a formal interview turned into conversation.  As things progressed and we talked several times more similarities came to the surface. 

While Vera was busy with her life with Dee Dee on the East Coast, I was here in California and active in this music scene.  Many of the bands that she got to know as they were forming and growing within the New York punk scene at the same time as the Ramones were, I was a fan of all the way across the country.  But it's more than just that.  We both had long-term relationships with our current husbands prior to tying the knot and feel the same way about the commitment being married entails.  We also share our love of reading.  You know...I could go on, but then this might become a book itself.  Suffice it to say that meeting Vera was like talking with someone for the first time yet seeming like I'd already known her my whole life.

As you might recall, I love to add bits of my own personal RnR history when I write here for you and this time is no different.  There are a lot of Ramones stories I could draw from.  I'm telling you about this one because it is one I shared with Vera and that she got a kick out of hearing it.

When my older brother moved back here to California he brought with him his son and daugther.  Never having had kids of my own, this was very cool for me, especially the bond I would form with my niece.  One of my very first memories with her is of the two of us riding in my car down one of the SoCal freeways.  I think she was about 10 or 12 years old, I really don't remember that part of it.  What did stick in my mind and will forever is our speeding down the road with the car stereo cranked up to the max...singing full blast.  The song?  "I Wanna Be Sedated" by the Ramones.  That's it, that's the memory.  Nothing out of the ordinary, just something we would do together on any given day.  What made it different was the song and how it connected the two of us together.  And now, it connects us with Vera. 

As I said earlier, she was tickled when I told her about this.  It was when we were talking about the wide spread appeal of the Ramones' music (read the review to find out more about that).  It really brought home one more point that both Vera and I agreed upon...the timelessness of the band.

The book will be available for purchase from your fave vendor on Monday, June 1st, 2009.  Many places, including Amazon, will let you place a pre-order.

BTW, I would like to publicly thank Ms. Vera Ramone King.  Not just for the courage she showed in writing her book either.  Also for her generosity of time and spirit during the course of the hours my interview took place.

I hope you'll check out the review.  Remember, comments are always welcomed and encouraged.