All Good Cretins Go To Heaven: The Enduring Spirit of the Ramones by Jenn L. Beckwith available for pre-order now and the author available for interviews.
April 2026 marks fifty years since the release of the landmark debut album by Ramones, a record that started what we now know as Punk Rock. A new book, All Good Cretins Go To Heaven: The Enduring Spirit of the Ramones, celebrates the band’s legacy through the voices and memories of the fans and friends who experienced it firsthand, as well as comprehensive research on the individual band members, the band’s history, fan stories and photos, and more.
Written by Jenn L. Beckwith and published jointly by DiWulf Publishing (U.S.) and Earth Island Books (UK), the 280-page retrospective explores the history, influence, and lasting cultural impact of the band that changed rock and roll forever.
The story begins in 1974 in New York City’s Bowery neighborhood, where four unlikely musicians from Forest Hills, Queens played a nearly empty bar to an audience that reportedly included the ex-Marine bar owner and his dog. What followed was a musical revolution. With their unified look and names, blistering sound, and relentless touring schedule, the band built one of the most loyal fanbases in music history and became pioneers of Punk.
All Good Cretins Go To Heaven serves as an open love letter to the band from that very fan community. The book features fan-submitted photos, concert stories, artwork, and personal memories alongside interviews with family members and friends who knew the band. It also explores the band’s history, biographies of each member, the roots of rock and roll, the birth of punk, and the cultural meaning of being “Punk.”
The book will be released worldwide on April 23, 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of the Ramones’ self-titled debut album.
Author Jenn L. Beckwith is available for interviews with media outlets, podcasts, and radio programs to discuss the book, the Ramones’ enduring cultural influence, and the fan community that helped shape this project.
Additional contributors to the book include:
- Additional research by Gary Clevenger
- Front cover photo by Alison Braun
- Back cover photo by Tom Hearn
About the Book
All Good Cretins Go To Heaven: The Enduring Spirit of the Ramones is a 280-page fan retrospective celebrating the music, history, and community surrounding the Ramones—one of the most influential bands in rock history.
