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Cheetah Chrome: A Dead Boy's Tale: From the Front Lines of Punk Rock
Here is the autobiography of Cheetah Chrome, lead guitarist of the Dead Boys, one of the greatest punk bands ever. It’s a tale of success--and great music, drugs (he overdosed and was pronounced dead three times), and resurrection. The Dead Boys, with roots in the band Rocket from the Tombs, came out of Cleveland to dominate the NYC punk scene in the mid-1970s. Their hit “Sonic Reducer” soon became a punk anthem. Now, for the first time, Cheetah dishes on the people he’s known onstage and off, including the Dead Boys’ legendary singer Stiv Bators, Johnny Thunders of the New York Dolls, the Ramones, the Clash, Pere Ubu, and the Ghetto Dogs, as well as life at CBGBs, a year with Nico, and more. Straight from the man, these are the backstage stories that every punk fan will want to hear. Never mind the Sex Pistols, here’s Cheetah Chrome!
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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584 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 30, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcY6A_...
If there's anything better than a rock autobiography, it's a punk rock autobiography, because the dirt's dished in a hardcore, Jimmy Cagney-type fashion, no self-pity, just the hardboiled facts, the way they should be reported. Cheetah Chrome has done a great job in reporting his battle years with Dead Boys.
Cheetah Watch #3: After being dumped by Sire Records for being punk rock and not Depeche Mode the (dead) boys unwisely decide to wear matching suits on stage, just like Freddie and The Dreamers. Cheetah flies into an uncontrollable rage and quits the band, spending the next few years hanging with German junkie queens Nico and Anita Pallenberg.
Cheetah Watch #2: Cheetah helps The Cramps get their first gig in New York, promoting it heavily like a good neighbor, only to be snubbed by them the day after on the streets of St. Mark's Place. Much later he gets thrashed and pummeled by irate four-eyed Devo nerds for giving Mark Mothersbaugh a Melvin on stage. Mark Devo changes the lyrics of "Mongoloid" to "Cheetah was a mongoloid".
Cheetah Watch #1: Cheetah discovers the wild, wild world of rock via "Hit Parader" Magazine, one of my favorites from 1970. At a pawn shop he chooses a Silvertone amp over several Fenders, sounds cool to me. The capper's when Cheetah's mom goes to the record store to surprise her son with a new rock group album for him to enjoy and ACCIDENTALLY buys the first Stooges album, changing his life forever. Mother knows best.
If there's anything better than a rock autobiography, it's a punk rock autobiography, because the dirt's dished in a hardcore, Jimmy Cagney-type fashion, no self-pity, just the hardboiled facts, the way they should be reported. Cheetah Chrome has done a great job in reporting his battle years with Dead Boys.
Cheetah Watch #3: After being dumped by Sire Records for being punk rock and not Depeche Mode the (dead) boys unwisely decide to wear matching suits on stage, just like Freddie and The Dreamers. Cheetah flies into an uncontrollable rage and quits the band, spending the next few years hanging with German junkie queens Nico and Anita Pallenberg.
Cheetah Watch #2: Cheetah helps The Cramps get their first gig in New York, promoting it heavily like a good neighbor, only to be snubbed by them the day after on the streets of St. Mark's Place. Much later he gets thrashed and pummeled by irate four-eyed Devo nerds for giving Mark Mothersbaugh a Melvin on stage. Mark Devo changes the lyrics of "Mongoloid" to "Cheetah was a mongoloid".
Cheetah Watch #1: Cheetah discovers the wild, wild world of rock via "Hit Parader" Magazine, one of my favorites from 1970. At a pawn shop he chooses a Silvertone amp over several Fenders, sounds cool to me. The capper's when Cheetah's mom goes to the record store to surprise her son with a new rock group album for him to enjoy and ACCIDENTALLY buys the first Stooges album, changing his life forever. Mother knows best.
April 4, 2023
Another book about sex, drugs and punk rock? Yes, please.
Cheetah Chrome's autobiography is an eye-opener for someone like me who knows the music but not much about the history of the artist. It is the age-old tale of bad decisions, music industry shenanigans and a few regrets, but the good times were epic. Even though you've heard this story before, you haven't heard Cheetah's version and he does spin a good yarn. And I must have been in the same room with him at least a few times since we seem to have shared some favorite NYC hangouts such as Downtown Beirut and the Scrap Bar. Those kinds of details always give me a smile.
Cheetah Chrome's autobiography is an eye-opener for someone like me who knows the music but not much about the history of the artist. It is the age-old tale of bad decisions, music industry shenanigans and a few regrets, but the good times were epic. Even though you've heard this story before, you haven't heard Cheetah's version and he does spin a good yarn. And I must have been in the same room with him at least a few times since we seem to have shared some favorite NYC hangouts such as Downtown Beirut and the Scrap Bar. Those kinds of details always give me a smile.
April 4, 2014
Every single rock memoir/autobio I've read has been an addiction and recovery narrative. Dead Boy's guitarist Cheetah Chrome's is particularly messy, incorporating a lot of broken things: teeth, cheekbones, amps and guitars.
March 9, 2015
Great autobiography by an icon of the punk rock era. To my surprise, I actually liked the stories about Cheetah's childhood more than the later chapters on punk rock excess. They document the anatomy of a true musician. He paints a portrait of Cleveland and New York that is priceless, and of course all of the stories of debauchery are entertaining. But overall this book is about an interesting guy, a smart guy, who survived and you should never underestimate.
My copy is signed by the author.
My copy is signed by the author.
September 8, 2012
I picked this up when Cheetah was doing a book signing at a Nashville punk clothing store called Boa. I procrastinated on reading the book for over a year thinking that it wouldn't be so great. I was completely wrong! I read through the book quickly and had a hard time putting it down. I loved reading about his days in the NY punk scene and I felt like I got to know some of the major players more intimately. I wish I would have stuck around and talked to him a little more when I met him. Though I probably wouldn't know what to say; he's still intimidating as hell despite being in his fifties.
April 11, 2012
Cheetah always struck me as kind of a cartoon character punk--like Sid Vicious or Dee Dee Ramone--but the guy's actually pretty smart and self-aware. Fun, juicy memoir of this seminal Cleveland/NY punk legand.
January 17, 2015
Fabulous guilty pleasure.
April 26, 2023
This is a highly enjoyable read for anyone who is a fan of seventies punk. Though integral to the scene, there are not a lot of detailed books about them specifically, and even their recorded output was marred by poor choices of producers after their initial success with Genya Raven (and even that was meant to be a demo which was released behind their backs). However, the band's signature anthem, "Sonic Reducer," was covered by Guns N Roses and Pearl Jam, ensuring they got a little bit of money from it.
There are a lot of tales of irresponsible, youthful hijinks, from their beginnings in Cleveland to New York during the heyday of CBGBs. Though he saw what it did to other musicians and vowed to stay away from heroin, he succumbed to addiction and struggled for many years to get clean.
I like how even he did not like the "hardcore" scene of the 1980s except for a few bands and the story about meeting the Bee Gees in Miami. If the Bee Gees are cool enough for Cheetah Chrome, nuff said!
There are a lot of tales of irresponsible, youthful hijinks, from their beginnings in Cleveland to New York during the heyday of CBGBs. Though he saw what it did to other musicians and vowed to stay away from heroin, he succumbed to addiction and struggled for many years to get clean.
I like how even he did not like the "hardcore" scene of the 1980s except for a few bands and the story about meeting the Bee Gees in Miami. If the Bee Gees are cool enough for Cheetah Chrome, nuff said!
May 30, 2023
Fast and fun read if you really like know more about the true origin of american punk (ie RFTT). First half is definitely more "fun", while the second half is more of a downward spiral. Reads as a traditional "tell all" biography, although Chrome is muted and defferential regarding some of the worst parts of life story. Good for the time it came out, but I suppose Viv Albertine showed that music autobiographies can have more literary qualties as well.
July 23, 2017
Just finished Cheetah Chrome's autobiography. A really great read, it goes from his time in RFTT and the Dead Boys to his serious heroin addiction and adventures with people in the punk scene. My favorite is when Nico (Velvet Underground) tried to rip him off so she could get drugs for herself. Highly recommended for fans of punk and drug books
March 10, 2021
Who would have guessed Cheetah is so articulate? It is, however, the old CBGB story we all know. Got a little bored with it.
October 4, 2021
I was surprised by how well-written this was. Funny and brutally frank. A bit draggy in spots but lots of great anecdotes.
August 4, 2011
I'm still reading about Cheetah's childhood , in the early 60's. Some people wish these Bios would skip childhood , but , I find his personal recollection of JFK's assassination , The Beatles' arrival , and just going to the dangerous parts of his neighborhood that he was warned not to , or going to Catholic School (I , too , am a Veteran.), very engaging. John.
Conclusion : Chrome finds redemption without losing his ideals. At some point , he even tries to make Rock'n'Roll a part time thing. The drinking and drugging that literally saturates this book (It seems nearly every page has to contain a "Liqourmission" , as George Jones would put it , so Cheetah and his friends can stop at a bar and get obnoxicated , or indulge in drug combinations I've never even heard of . But , there is a reason for this , as our writer ( And , a very good one.) explains , in detail , how drinking and drugs made him react to a given situation , whether it was good or bad , he admits without resorting to gratuitous guilt or self - pity (Once again , a recovered Catholic myself , I know those things like the back of my hand.) , that it had the better of him.
So , this book is a depiction of how he became aware of his addictions , and the horrifying journey down the less - travelled path , the one covered in broken glass , rusty shards of metal , used condoms and $100 bills stuck , unremovably , to "American Idol" DVDs , HELL. THE PATH TO RECOVERY. The ending IS a happy one , though the circumstances leading up to it made me want to cry. But , Cheetah Chrome has little time for moralizing. One gets the feeling that if the book does help someone on a similar path , then , he's more than cool with that. But , he did'nt write the book to tell people how to conduct their lives. That's what I'm taking from it. But , make no mistake , this is a Rock'n'Roll story of the highest order , you feel the triumph , desperation and disappointment Rock'n'Roll has to offer it's middle children. The Dead Boys , poised for greater things , and certainly KNOWN , but , as with all of Punk , discarded by an indifferent recording industry. Rocket From The Tombs did'nt even get out of the starter's gate , though spoken of in shudders and whispers by an elite few....until they're rescued from the Bootleg gulag , and the impossible happens , the band reforms , putting on extraordinary , take no prisoners , live shows. Word is , they're still active , while Chrome has , more recently , started a new band , The Batusis , with New York Dolls' Guitarist , Sylvain Sylvain.
This book is not a "Bummer". Many of the stories , or quick little phrases , are hilarious. So , while it is a Rock'n'Roll story , one of excess and of tragedy , it's also a love story. Cheetah Chrome lands on his feet , with a beautiful wife , and , now , a beautiful son. A hard working Rock'n'Roller , and a devoted family man. And , as I say , a pretty fucking good writer.
Conclusion : Chrome finds redemption without losing his ideals. At some point , he even tries to make Rock'n'Roll a part time thing. The drinking and drugging that literally saturates this book (It seems nearly every page has to contain a "Liqourmission" , as George Jones would put it , so Cheetah and his friends can stop at a bar and get obnoxicated , or indulge in drug combinations I've never even heard of . But , there is a reason for this , as our writer ( And , a very good one.) explains , in detail , how drinking and drugs made him react to a given situation , whether it was good or bad , he admits without resorting to gratuitous guilt or self - pity (Once again , a recovered Catholic myself , I know those things like the back of my hand.) , that it had the better of him.
So , this book is a depiction of how he became aware of his addictions , and the horrifying journey down the less - travelled path , the one covered in broken glass , rusty shards of metal , used condoms and $100 bills stuck , unremovably , to "American Idol" DVDs , HELL. THE PATH TO RECOVERY. The ending IS a happy one , though the circumstances leading up to it made me want to cry. But , Cheetah Chrome has little time for moralizing. One gets the feeling that if the book does help someone on a similar path , then , he's more than cool with that. But , he did'nt write the book to tell people how to conduct their lives. That's what I'm taking from it. But , make no mistake , this is a Rock'n'Roll story of the highest order , you feel the triumph , desperation and disappointment Rock'n'Roll has to offer it's middle children. The Dead Boys , poised for greater things , and certainly KNOWN , but , as with all of Punk , discarded by an indifferent recording industry. Rocket From The Tombs did'nt even get out of the starter's gate , though spoken of in shudders and whispers by an elite few....until they're rescued from the Bootleg gulag , and the impossible happens , the band reforms , putting on extraordinary , take no prisoners , live shows. Word is , they're still active , while Chrome has , more recently , started a new band , The Batusis , with New York Dolls' Guitarist , Sylvain Sylvain.
This book is not a "Bummer". Many of the stories , or quick little phrases , are hilarious. So , while it is a Rock'n'Roll story , one of excess and of tragedy , it's also a love story. Cheetah Chrome lands on his feet , with a beautiful wife , and , now , a beautiful son. A hard working Rock'n'Roller , and a devoted family man. And , as I say , a pretty fucking good writer.
March 16, 2017
Cheetah Chrome defines punk rock!
The reader gets to tag along from Cheetah's upbringing to all the career-defining (and not so defining) moments. What a ride! Unlike most autobiographies concerned with legacy, this is honest and introspective with no regard to afterglow. Cheetah is like a brilliant comet briefly appearing to light up the sky. Like that comet that recedes back to interstellar space, it left an unequaled impression that we continue to relive through his music and book.
The reader gets to tag along from Cheetah's upbringing to all the career-defining (and not so defining) moments. What a ride! Unlike most autobiographies concerned with legacy, this is honest and introspective with no regard to afterglow. Cheetah is like a brilliant comet briefly appearing to light up the sky. Like that comet that recedes back to interstellar space, it left an unequaled impression that we continue to relive through his music and book.
February 28, 2014
True stories (or as true as he can remember, anyway) from a true punk rock icon
I actually debated over giving this book five stars because, no, it isn't some masterpiece of modern literature that will stand up against the great writers of our day... but then I thought, dammit, it's Cheetah Chrome telling his priceless stories from the good old days of true punk rock. Cheetah is just as authentic as ever, and while he tells it like it was, this book reads more like a time capsule than some gossipy memoir. While it's really too bad that some of the greats like fellow Dead Boy Stiv Bators or Johnny Thunders didn't live to tell their own stories, Cheetah does a great job honoring their legacies (among others) while refusing to sugarcoat anything. If you want flowery writing, go find Oprah's latest pick, but if you want to escape into a time so fantastic that it could only be reality, check out this book. It should be required reading for any punks (myself included) too young to remember the brief but beautiful time when real punk rock ruled all.
I actually debated over giving this book five stars because, no, it isn't some masterpiece of modern literature that will stand up against the great writers of our day... but then I thought, dammit, it's Cheetah Chrome telling his priceless stories from the good old days of true punk rock. Cheetah is just as authentic as ever, and while he tells it like it was, this book reads more like a time capsule than some gossipy memoir. While it's really too bad that some of the greats like fellow Dead Boy Stiv Bators or Johnny Thunders didn't live to tell their own stories, Cheetah does a great job honoring their legacies (among others) while refusing to sugarcoat anything. If you want flowery writing, go find Oprah's latest pick, but if you want to escape into a time so fantastic that it could only be reality, check out this book. It should be required reading for any punks (myself included) too young to remember the brief but beautiful time when real punk rock ruled all.
January 10, 2013
Being a former Clevelander, New Yorker, and Stiv Bator friend , I found the book an interesting history of Cleveland and NYC Punk scene. True as far as I know. I felt that the beginning of the book about Cheetah's younger years a bit long and I found the writing style a bit bland for someone that's been through that much and was such a hooligan. Cheetah name drops a lot and I finally realized he was connected to these people through his and their addictions. There was a lot of whining about how he didn't make any money, but dude you had your rent paid, travel expenses, and drugs paid for most of your career. The band made thousands per gig (not sure if this is true) and sure you coulda done better, but it's easy to take advantage of a junkie. Over all if you're a fan it's a good read, but I'd get it from the library and not spend the cash.
April 3, 2014
Really enjoyable book by one of the early American punks who lived to tell the tale (not all of them did). It's written quite well, and goes from childhood to now, pulling no punches. He spends quite a bit of time on his childhood, which really draws you in as he grew up very poor, with no father in the mix. The pranks of the Dead Boys in their prime are hilarious. You also get a close up look at what it was like to be part of the early CBGB's scene. He's made mistakes and doesn't gloss over any of them - there's a maturity to this book that is endearing. Overall, recommended.
July 13, 2016
A terrific read for the inside scoop of the Dead Boys and an intense look into the late 70s early 80s NY scene. Cheetah's writing is impressive and his story (as someone who met him several times back in the day) is pretty incredible. He was one of the hardest partiers, one of the most sincere, and one of the smartest people in punk, and this book shows all those sides of him. He doesn't flinch. And although the last section of the book feel rushed and a bit anticlimactic, the overall book is worth a read.
December 29, 2011
An entertaining read and more well-written than I expected. There is a lot of name dropping and "man, that guy was really cool" or "God, that guy was a dick". But they probably were really cool and/or dicks. There are some pretty funny anecdotes (especially Stiv Bators' pranks and Cheetah seeing ghosts and UFOs). Well worth the read. It also serves as a great catalog of every type of drug or substance that you can and should not put in your body.
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April 14, 2012Why Everything You Think You Know About Punk Is Completely Wrong:
http://generation-add.blogspot.com/20...
http://generation-add.blogspot.com/20...
February 19, 2015
I really liked this down-to-earth tale of the punk rock/CBGB days, as well as Cheetah's story before and after this time. Cheetah used to come by my family home back in the day, as he was friends with my brothers. I found it interesting to learn what really went on behind the scenes of a rock and roller and what he had been through. He tells his story in an unaffected and honest manner and doesn't sugar coat the nightmarish parts. Recommended!
March 23, 2016
Ugh. I read this book based on all of the positive reviews...I must have read a different book. He got drunk, he got high, he dated underage girls, he passed out, repeat. Over and over. His stories about hanging with various celebrities are somewhat interesting, but he doesn't ever really go in depth about any of his relationships or any other subject. If you're a fan of the Dead Boys, go ahead and read this book; otherwise, I'd definitely pass.
February 26, 2017
This book is great it's got a similar voice to Going Underground. It's like you're talking to Cheetah Chrome on the phone and he's telling you all these great stories. There's a lot of misprints or grammatical errors in my copy though. Some editor at Voyager Press must've phoned it in from the pub.
October 13, 2010
great book
my interview with the author is here
http://sbutki.new.newsvine.com/_news/...-
my interview with the author is here
http://sbutki.new.newsvine.com/_news/...-
August 28, 2012
Absolutely a great read. A must for fans, and people interested in the history of punk rock.
June 28, 2012
I'm loving this book. Great for people who love music. Lots of stuff about Cleveland in the late 60s, early 70s. I'm 100 pages in, can't stop reading it.
November 23, 2012
Dead Boys were one of the most overlooked CBGB bands. Fun read. What's not to like about stories from that scene? Sure, a little Behind The Scenes-ey but I enjoyed it.
July 31, 2022
My full review on my music blog: https://hitsfromthepast.blogspot.com/...
June 20, 2016
Read most of this one. Wish I coulda finished it. Fascinating guy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews