My Life In The Ghost Of Planets: The Story Of A CBGB Almost-Was - A Single Notes Book

"Binky writes with the same infectious enthusiasm that drew me to him at The High School of Music and Art. We were the outcasts among outcasts.
Ultimate fans in search of the ultimate dream; to be one with our heroes and share the glory, girls, and all the accoutrement that was to be reveled in as members of the Rock and Roll hierarchy. I'm thrilled that, in spite of what may never have quite happened for him, Binky remains a Fanboy at heart and still lights up at every memory tucked away in that file cabinet he calls his head."
- Paul Stanley, KISS singer/songwriter/guitarist


"Binky Philips and The Planets were one of the star bands of the original CBGB scene. They were already around when early 70's rock transitioned from Glam Rock into the Punk movement. There was a lot more variety at CBGB than people might now be aware of. The Planets were a great example of the virtuoso-led school of music, just one of the ingredients that made a night out at CBGB an eclectic event.
Binky's story gives you a good view of what it was like to be in a band that was part of the inner-workings of the CBGB era."
- Tommy Ramone Erdelyi, Ramones drummer/producer


"The Planets were the best rock & roll band I never saw or heard. I know this because when I got to New York, just in time for the band's demise, everyone I met told me what I'd missed. I also know it because the tale told here, with wit, passion, and contagious hysteria, is the greatest busted-dream story I've ever read. It's so good it should
come with a Planets album. If only there was one."
- David Fricke, Senior Editor, Rolling Stone

Whoa, wait a minute, just who is this Binky guy?
There once was a boy who simply had to make it as a rock star. He learned to play guitar, really play the motherfucker, struggling with the uncooperative beast while everyone else basked in the summer's sun and threw various-sized balls at each other. This boy, Brooklyn
Heights'Binky Philips, never relented. At the age of 16, he was ready to Form A Band. By the end of 1972, as the guitarist/songwriter for The Planets, Binky was sharing stages with The New York Dolls, KISS, The Ramones, Television, Blondie, et al. Our boy Bink was embedded in the heart of a pure organic moment of creativity and paradigm change as a regular performer at CBGB and Max's Kansas City. In "My Life In the Ghost of Planets," Binky Philips recounts those days of raucous fun and furious heartbreak.

"I've known the author since we were little kids. Starting in 1973, I saw dozens of Planets shows. Yet, much of this story is news to me. I am glad to have my own first-hand memories (and a few dusty cassette recordings) as evidence of what a great band the Planets were. This story makes it all vivid."
- Ira Robbins, Trouser Press, Premiere Radio Networks, etc.


"I have great respect for Binky's ardor and dedication. The Planets would have been a great English Rock Band. Where they failed was in the area of Quirkiness. They were in the wrong venue (CBGB) to capitalize on their considerable talents. That said, this was a fun read, particularly Binky's pre-CBGB travails."
- Richard Lloyd, Television guitarist, solo artist


"Binky was, and is, the real deal when looking at NYC Underground Rock n Roll history. When The Planets hit the stage at Max's Kansas City in 1977, they delivered all the fire and promise of the mystic streets. They grabbed me by the front of my shirt and threw me into a life of
Rock n Roll. I am eternally grateful."
- Thurston Moore, Sonic Youth and beyond...