On The Road With The Ramones - Read Book Reviews

REVIEWS
MOJO The Music Magazine February 2004

SPIN MAGAZINE MAY 2005

The Ultimate List Guide - The Good

The Five Best Books Actually Written by Musicians

#4 - On The Road With The Ramones - Monte A. Melnick / Frank Meyer

Featuring brutally honest testimony by anyone who had anything of consequence to do with the band of brudders, this oral history (co-written by Melnick, the group's career-long tour manager and bassist in his own right) is the ultimate insider document.

#1 - The Manual - Bill Drummond

#2 - Hollywood Rock - Marshall Crenshaw

#3 - Chronicles, Volume One - Bob Dylan

#4 - On The Road With The Ramones - Melnick / Meyer

#5 - Rotten, No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs - John Lydon

NOSEBLEED Magazine March 2004

As the roadburn that affected various members of the greatest band ever to grace this planet has been well documented, then it stands to reason that Monte’s angle on the story as tour manager is an important perspective, being the independent observer throughout. This isn’t just the story of a band and their antics though - it’s an invitation into the inner workings of the Ramones and the pursuit of a dream in good and bad times. Monte’s story begins with his friendship with Tommy Erdelyi (Ramone) and their vision of rock’n’roll perfection, and from there he plugs into the pop culture history that has been archived elsewhere. It’s a refreshingly different angle to the uncertain memories in Dee Dee’s book, and a more studied look at the individual circumstances of the Ramones at their birth than the books which have included the Ramones history as part of a bigger circle of bands. It troops through their heyday, looks at the tribulations of putting a rising band on the road, the inner mechanics of the road crew, early tours in the US, England and Europe, personal vices, girlfriends, relationships between members, the great drummer shuffle, the unmendable riff between Johnny and Joey, the dirty ‘80s, The replacing of Dee Dee, The CJ years and the aftermath of the band. It’s all pretty tasty information, written in the aural history style and comprising of contributions from the band & crew, their girlfriends, wives, members of bands who played with them and bands who were inspired by them. Not only that but the book is enhanced by a generous feast of rare photos, tour posters, laminates and assorted relevant scraps of paper. As the first Ramones publication since the deaths of Dee Dee and Joey, it’s obviously the nearest to a full circle document as we’re likely to get. What has always lacked previously in Ramones books is that someone asked the band, the last people on this planet who are gonna remember what was going on! This is a sober look at things! A thumbs up to John Holmstrom for the beautiful cover too!!

AK PRESS

This is an incredible book. Based around the story of Monte A. Melnick, tour manager (and much more) for the Ramones throughout their entire career (1974-1996, and 2,263 live shows), this is actually a superb piece of punk oral history. As well as the voices of Melnick, and many of the Ramones (Johnny, Marky, Tommy, CJ and Joey), there's their crew - the road-dogs - the roadies, lighting guys, soundman, etc., etc. An incredible band, a great story, a wonderful read, and a real insight into the Ramones, and life on the road - sex, drugs, rock n roll, of course, but also the binges, fights, breakups, arrests, ODs, girlfriends, humor, hilarity, boredom, fans, and work ethic.

THE SUN HERALD

An inside look at The Ramones. Book offers a compelling inside look at group. The musical journey of The Ramones lasted for 2,263 shows (supporting 22 live, studio and compilation albums).

Monte Melnick was their tour manager, driver, baby-sitter, confidant and more throughout the whole trip.

When the Ramones first began playing at CBGB's in New York, they thought that they could be rock stars. They saw themselves as a twisted bubble-gum band: the fast, hard, song-oriented alternative to the stadium-rockers of the time.

After the first three albums, they continued to record, and for a while had expectations of airplay and superstardom. However, most of the band members realized that their ferocious live shows would be their job as long as they kept performing.

Record companies and management would try superstar producers and other tactics to make them commercially viable over the remainder of their career, but The Ramones never experienced massive record sales. Their songs became more serious, resentful and angry beginning with album four (the excellent "Road To Ruin"). Substance abuse, as well as some members' medical difficulties/inner demons, threatened to derail things. However, The Ramones kept touring, enabling them to have more influence than many huge sellers.

Monte Melnick drove the van, made flight arrangements, took care of rooms, arranged equipment rentals and did almost everything else that helped the Ramones touring machine function. He was there as the band progressed from potential superstars to cult icons to punk godfathers to Rock N' Roll Hall of Famers.

Melnick kept soldiering on even after original bassist and key songsmith Dee Dee left the band in 1989, to be replaced by young C.J. The band was never as popular in America as in Europe and South America (where they packed huge stadiums), but Melnick kept things moving.

The Ramones conquered the rest of the world, while playing smaller U.S. dates until the Pearl Jam, White Zombie and Lollapalooza tours in the mid-'90s. They retired in 1996 after a last show in Los Angeles featuring superstar guests singing and playing along.

Melnick was there from beginning to end. This is the story from his side, though it contains quotes from a variety of sources (including most Ramones and other key personnel). That makes it worth the price of admission. Ask locally or order online at www.amazon.com or at other online booksellers. If you like the Ramones, and want another perspective on all those years of touring when some band members were barely speaking, snag Monte's book.

AUSTRALIAN MUSICIAN Online March 2004

ON THE ROAD WITH THE RAMONES-Monte Melnick & Frank Meyer

Nobody could question Monte Melnick's credentials for writing a book about life on the road with The Ramones. From the band's very first performance to their last in LA on August 6th, 1996, Melnick was their as road manager, baby sitter, booking agent, and psychiatrist. This remarkable glimpse into the punk pioneer's inner sanctum will thrill diehard Ramones fans. It features among many other things, interviews with all members of the band, hundreds of rare photos, stage set ups, backstage passes, visa applications and a list of every tour date the Ramones ever played.

Victory Athena
Finally a good look at The Ramones from the inside! Through this oral history Monte Melnick manages to really capture the flavor of the time and give us a glimpse of what it was like to be part of the Ramones machine. He doesn't over glamorize and doesn't shy away from the painful realities of their lives like Joey's OCD and later cancer, Johnny's often cold, militaristic grasp on the band and Dee Dee's lifetime of drug addiction, bisexuality and abusiveness. What does come through is the fun, the love/hate dynamic that existed within the band and a good look at how these guys from Queens managed to revolutionize rock 'n roll. On their terms. It's brilliant.

James Swift
Just got through reading this book. Its cool that the Ramones tour manager wrote this book, so there is no bias towards making anyone look spotless. They were a great band but they didn't get along very well at all. Pretty much just tolerated each other. A lot of cool stories in the book. Johnny was a conservative, good work ethic, maybe a little condescending of other races, sports fanatic. Dee Dee was bipolar with a bad drug problem, genius. Tommy wasn't a great drummer but had great vision. Joey had a compulsive disorder but was the ultimate overachiever and brilliant. But could never get the woman that Johnny stole out of his mind. Mark was a great drummer but an alcoholic and unstable. Richie was good but underpaid. C.J. was probably the only person in the world who could replace Dee Dee on Bass. I have always liked the music but had no idea about the men. After reading this book I like them even more. To bad a couple of them are not around to see the much deserved respect that the Ramones get these days. Buy the book. Monte deserves it for all the stuff he had to deal with on a daily basis.

Susan H. Lucas
This was such a fun read. I have been a diehard Ramones fan for almost 20 years, so much of the subject matter was not surprising to me. One thing that I appreciated was that Melnick includes interviews from Vera Ramone (Dee Dee's first wife). After reading Dee Dee's books, one would think that he was never married before Barbara (his wife until he met his untimely demise). Vera was married to Dee Dee for over eleven years, and it is wonderful and touching to read her insights about Dee Dee. The book also includes humorous anecdotes that will make you laugh out loud as you read about this crew of misfits who managed over 2,000 shows in their career. It was fascinating to learn about the many tasks a tour manager must undertake. Melnick was a true friend to the Ramones, and often underrated. If it weren't for his professionalism, I doubt that the band would be where they are today. Monte is truly the fifth Ramone.

Glenn Hawley
I Eagerly Anticipated This Book. I was Not disappointed when I finally Found my Autographed Copy! Detailed, Funny, Exciting, Scary, & Full of New Insider Information! I Learned things I NEVER knew in All my Years of being a Ramones Fan. For example: I never heard a word about Joey's Compulsive disorders. Kinda More tragedy on top of their Rock'n'Roll triumphs. The Book is ordered very well like I would assume Monte was on All those Tours. I used to see him All the Time at Concerts & he was "familiar" but I never thought why. I could have been a Crazy Roadie myself!

Ramones Fans: Run out & get your Copies today! I laughed out loud Many Times & You will too. The Bands Music Now Means Even More to me after Reading about their obstacles & determination. The Best Ramones Book By Far!

Danielle
Just wanted to drop you a line to tell you I finally was able to sit down & read Monte's

book. You were right about it & I was impressed. He did a good job & it was good to see a lot of the mythology debunked by somebody who knows what they are talking about for a change. It was good to read a book that wasn't a complete whitewash of the faults & flaws yet still was written with a lot of affection for the people involved. I saw a lot of stories in there that I had been hearing about for years yet had always been glossed over by the publicity machines. That was good to see. Most of all, I thought he presented the story in a very fair way, trying to give both sides of a situation as much as possible (ie: the Joey/Linda/Johnny situation among others). That isn't always possible to do when you find yourself in a sometimes unwilling front row seat to it all & I respect that. I've bought several copies to give as Christmas gifts to friends of mine who are long time fans like myself & it was a pleasure to be able to give something of obvious quality like this book. I hope the book sells well for Monte. All the years of loyalty he's given them definitely deserves some rewards at the end of the day.

George Tabb
Frank Meyer knows his punk rock!

This book is a MUST HAVE for any Ramones fan, and offers insight not only into rock 'n' roll and punk rock, but into the concept of bands themselves. Monte is honest, sincere, and an all around nice guy. As much as I'd like to say this is my FAVORITE Ramones book, with all the infighting that goes on among these guys (and still does to this day), it's best I don't. The pictures in here are priceless and I think Monte's pal, Shira, deserves lots of credit for helping him and Frank out with what is one of the best rock books ever written. Buy this right away. No matter if you are a Ramones fan, or just heard of them. This book truely talks about the heart of rock n' roll. And sometimes that ain't pretty. But it sure is interesting.

Cam
I just finished reading Monte's book. I enjoyed it and actually purchased a second copy for a friend before I was half way through it. Definitely a good read for any Ramones fan, it gives a perspective I hadn't really thought much of before. Monte was the self-admitted punching bag for the band for their entire history. Just as it took some very different people to create the music it must have taken a very different type to hang out with, tour with and baby sit them. I know I couldn't have done it, I don't have the patience. More than once in the last few years in this group I've read the rumour that sometimes there was a second guitar playing from off stage at concerts. I never believed it, but apparently it was true. Johnny, Ed Stasium and a roadie all confirmed that occasionally someone would play a solo or second part from the wings. Details like that, along with lots of dirt on the fights between the Ramones made this an interesting book.