I am familiar with the music of the Ramones but I wouldn’t consider myself a fan. I am, however a fan of autobiographies. When POISONED HEART came across my desk I was mildly interested in checking it out as I do have a strange affection for reading about the personal lives of celebrities. I am glad I invested the time to read this short (not quite 170 pages) autobiography because it was very insightful and gave the reader a look into the some sometimes fascinating and not so glamorous life of punk rock’s King and Queen Dee Dee and Vera Ramone.
Vera and Dee Dee had a dysfunctional and tumultuous marriage that seemed to work. Unfortunately (as is the case with anyone) once drugs and violence became the focal point of one of the partner’s life the eventual outcome will never be good. In her very transparent autobiography Vera King holds nothing back as she writes about the good, the bad and the ugly of her life to a man who was talented, passionate and unstable. I think she does a fine job painting Dee Dee in the light as a wonderful and likeable man who regrettably had some demons that he could not kick. Her marriage to Dee Dee started out as any marriage would, bliss and happiness but as the years go by she had to deal with Dee Dee’s drug addiction, depression and turmoil within the band. Eventually his discontent with life finds Dee Dee quitting the Ramones, embarking on an unsuccessful solo career and ending with his untimely death by overdose in 2002. Ms. King makes no qualms about her genuine love for Dee Dee but knew that for her own safety and sanity she had to (after 13 years) end their marriage.
Overall, I felt POISONED HEART was a very insightful and candid look at the life, times and troubles of Dee Dee and Vera Ramone. My only complaint about the book is that Vera’s writing is very disjointed and at times does not flow very well. This f course would be more of an editorial issue. There were times she would be talking about how Dee Dee would do something horrible to her and then the next paragraph would begin with how great holidays were for them. That of course is a very minor complaint and probably more of MY issue than anything else. For me this was a great autobiography as it not only gave me a look into Dee Dee Ramone but also showed that amidst a lot of upheaval in his life and marriage he did have someone who genuinely loved him, cared for him and did her best to help him overcome his personal demons. I would recommend this book to any Ramone fan and anyone who is interested in reading about the marriage of one of punk rock’s most notorious couples.
Reviewed by Jeff Holton
