This is a book I'd hoped would be written. After reading Dee Dee's three books, "Please Kill Me", "On The Road With The Ramones",and seeing the excellent documentary "End Of The Century", I wondered the tale Vera Ramone, Dee Dee's beloved first wife, would tell. She does not disappoint. Vera whisks us back to those heady NYC days when The Ramones were cutting their teeth at CBGB and gives us an insider's view as to what it was like to live with and love the heart and soul of the band. We are privy to their meeting and falling head over heels in love and learn of the blissful hopes Vera had for their future.
Her story is compelling. She soon learns that the love of her life is a hardcore heroin addict who also suffers from bipolar disorder. And The Ramones, while certainly the hardest working band in show business, are nothing short of dysfunctional. Dee Dee, while being amazingly prolific and a true poet, is prone to violence and shocking mood swings, while also having a huge open heart, a wonderful sense of humor, and loving and adoring Vera from the very depths of his soul.
Vera lets us into her private memories and shares with us what it was really like to be caught up in the whirlwind. She doesn't shy away from the rough stuff yet doesn't dwell on it, either. Her matter-of-fact recollections show she harbors no bitterness towards Dee Dee and, in fact, loves him still. She shares plenty of good times, wonderful photos, letters and lyrics in Dee Dee's own hand, and it is crystal clear that she loved him totally, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health.
Theirs was a true love story and Vera really adored Dee Dee for who he was and accepted him wholeheartedly, flaws and all. Finally, when the end of their marriage came, neither one honestly wanted to live without the other. Their bond remained strong and they never really let go.
Vera is an inspiration because she is a survivor and a truly cool chick. Her loving spirit, sense of humor, and East Coast wit all remain intact. She lived the highest of the highs, the depths of despair, survived a near-death experience, and never once wondered "Why me?". She tells a complicated and difficult story with grace, class, plenty of humor, and an abundance of love. Vera's opening up of her heart will ensure that you take her into yours.