“If ‘sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll’ is what you want, it’s what you’ll get in these photo-laden pages. Kramer’s style is honest, straightforward and pulls no punches.” — Publishers Weekly
Cash meets The Heroin Diaries in Hit Hard: Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer’s moving and inspiring story of fighting personal demons, as well as a wildly glamorous, crazy, drug-addled, behind-the-drum-set look at one of the greatest bands in rock n’ roll history. From never-before-told Aerosmith war stories across their entire 40 year career to Joey’s own struggles with addiction and depression, Hit Hard is only the second authorized biography of the band—following the New York Times bestseller Walk This Way—and the first autobiography from any Aerosmith band member.
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"Really enjoyed this audio book about the Aerosmith drummer. Gives great detail and emotion about what he went through in the band and battles he faced with drugs and rehab. A few chapters were slow, but life isn't 100% fast paced either."
— Travis (4 out of 5 stars)
“Holter Graham reads this like an insider, giving Kramer’s bittersweet words a hard-boiled quality that underscores the message of his cautionary tale: Fame ain't all it's cracked up to be.”
— AudioFile" As an Aerosmith fan since my teens, I really, really wanted to like this book a lot. Most of it, save for childhood stuff, is rehashed stuff from "Walk this Way." Though there were more details about more recent times. "Walk this Way" was definitely better. "
— Ginny, 2/12/2014" This was by far one of the better autobiographies that I have read. He is very concise and gets right down to it without blame or bitterness. Really good! "
— Mandy37, 2/3/2014" I'm not sure when I started reading this book what I expected, but it wasn't the story I ended up reading. I have been a fan of Aerosmith for years and have been lucky enough to have seen them in concert. I have also enjoyed books on the music heros of mine. But there was more to this story than just the rise/fall/ and rise again of Aerosmith and Joey Kramer. There is a gut wrenching story about his battle with depression and the excesses of being a rock star. Also he put acrossed very well how he felt as an outsider most if not all of his life. I walk away from this thinking highly of the man. "
— Todd, 1/29/2014" Ah, the excesses of the rock 'n roll lifestyle. He may be clean and sober, but the grandiosity has not left his personality. Good for people who are into drumming and Aerosmith fans "
— Mary, 1/23/2014" I've never read a rock biography before! It's so interesting to learn the back story about one of your favorite bands! :D "
— Cloud, 1/19/2014" Love that this sidesteps the addiction memoir/rock bio cliches. Very well-written, flows nicely, and conveys a tremendous amount of honesty and sincerity. Enjoying the hell out of this. "
— Joe, 1/13/2014" Hmmmm! Interesting but I've read better... It got a little boring when he went in to so much detail about drum playing and drummers. If you're not into drummers, the last 1/4 of the book is a snooze... "
— Kokolani, 1/12/2014" Not your usual rocker's recovery memoir. Kramer recounts his breakdown and depression that stemmed from the various abusive relationships he was involved in, first with his father and then Steven Tyler. "
— Sandi, 11/10/2013" Joey Kramer, drummer for Aerosmith, gives very few details in this account of his life-long struggle with addiction and depression. If you're looking for "backstage" insight into the world of 70's rock, skip this superficial biography. "
— Laura, 10/24/2013" Easy read. I like that he was able to lay it all out there on the table. The last paragraph really makes the whole book. "
— Pixismiler, 10/7/2013" I really did enjoy learning about Aerosmith. I love memoirs and I love Aerosmith and I learned about the drummer. If you are a fan this is interesting. "
— Heather, 7/28/2013" It was an interesting story. It takes alot of courage to share a story such as his!!!!! "
— Jessica, 6/21/2013" Memoir by the drummer for Aerosmith. He means well, but he adds nothing new (or of interest)to the subject. Shallow doesn't begin to sum this one up. "
— Dave, 3/30/2013" Not half bad, but more about the emotional journey of his time in Aerosmith rather than an inside look into the making of their records or live show. I'm a little disappointed that he didn't write about some of the later recording sessions in Aerosmith's career. Overall, it's just ok. "
— Luis, 3/14/2013" Interesting. A bit slow in some places, but overall an easy read. "
— Deyara, 2/20/2013" i think this book is really good seems how that this is his life story .it is very volger and shows that people can change their bad habits. this guy has put him self though hell and back to make himself. "
— Tyler, 8/18/2012" Written like one might speak. interesting true story "
— Diane, 10/27/2011" This book was an easy read. There were a few good stories. No revelations or surprises. If you are an Aerosmith fan, check it out. If you aren't skip it. There really isn't anything memorable here. "
— Dave, 9/29/2011" It took to the last two chapters to see that Joey really got his act together. It was interesting to see how Aerosmith lived and the fact that Steven Tyler has quite a few obstacles too. Amazing that people who make soooo much money can let drugs get in their way.... "
— Chris, 8/19/2011" This was by far one of the better autobiographies that I have read. He is very concise and gets right down to it without blame or bitterness. Really good! "
— Mandy37, 2/13/2011" I really did enjoy learning about Aerosmith. I love memoirs and I love Aerosmith and I learned about the drummer. If you are a fan this is interesting. "
— Heather, 11/16/2010" Not half bad, but more about the emotional journey of his time in Aerosmith rather than an inside look into the making of their records or live show. I'm a little disappointed that he didn't write about some of the later recording sessions in Aerosmith's career. Overall, it's just ok. "
— Luis, 10/21/2010" Memoir by the drummer for Aerosmith. He means well, but he adds nothing new (or of interest)to the subject. Shallow doesn't begin to sum this one up. "
— Dave, 9/15/2010" Love that this sidesteps the addiction memoir/rock bio cliches. Very well-written, flows nicely, and conveys a tremendous amount of honesty and sincerity. Enjoying the hell out of this. "
— Joe, 8/12/2010" Not your usual rocker's recovery memoir. <strong>Kramer</strong> recounts his breakdown and depression that stemmed from the various abusive relationships he was involved in, first with his father and then <strong>Steven Tyler</strong>. "
— Sandi, 6/5/2010" It was an interesting story. It takes alot of courage to share a story such as his!!!!! "
— Jessica, 9/23/2009" Ah, the excesses of the rock 'n roll lifestyle. He may be clean and sober, but the grandiosity has not left his personality. Good for people who are into drumming and Aerosmith fans "
— Mary, 8/1/2009" It took to the last two chapters to see that Joey really got his act together. It was interesting to see how Aerosmith lived and the fact that Steven Tyler has quite a few obstacles too. Amazing that people who make soooo much money can let drugs get in their way.... "
— Chris, 7/18/2009Joey Kramer is the legendary drummer with the most successful band in American history: Aerosmith. Since 1970, he and his partners have sold more than 150 million albums, and today their multigenerational, global audience is bigger than ever. In addition to the Grammys and the twenty-one multiplatinum albums, Aerosmith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and is the subject of several documentaries, including a film dedicated to Joey and his lasting influence, called It’s About Time. Author of the memoir Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top, Kramer lives south of Boston, Massachusetts.
Holter Graham, winner of three of AudioFile magazine’s Best Voice of the Year awards, is a stage, television, and screen actor. He has recorded numerous audiobooks and earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actor, his film credits include Fly Away Home, Maximum Overdrive, Hairspray, and The Diversion, a short film which he acted in and produced. On television, he has appeared in Army Wives, Damages, As the World Turns, Rescue Me, Law & Order, and New York Undercover. He received a BA degree from Skidmore College and an MFA from Vermont College.