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En la ruta con los Ramones
Conocidos tanto por sus características camperas de cuero, pantalones rotos y camisetas sucias como por su sonido único y brillantes pero hilarantemente simples canciones, Los Ramones fueron una fuerza innegable. Como pioneros del punk y miembros del Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, en el pico de su carrera de 2.263 espectáculos en vivo, fueron sin duda la banda más grande del planeta.
Sin embargo, a pesar de toda su influencia, la banda nunca tuvo un gran éxito, apenas fueron recibidos por la radio o MTV y fallaron en ser aceptados por el público masivo hasta años después de su retiro. Mientras su mentalidad de perros de ruta y feroces espectáculos en vivo les cosechó una legión de fieles fans, la banda pagó un alto precio, tanto física como emocionalmente.
Monte A Melnick lo vio todo: los arrestos, las sobredosis, las peleas, las rupturas, los maquillajes, las novias, los hoteles y los excesos. Como tour-manager desde su debut en CBGB el 16 de agosto de 1974 hasta su último show en Los Ángeles el 6 de agosto de 1996, Monte fue de hecho el quinto Ramone. En la Ruta con los Ramones es su historia.
Sin embargo, a pesar de toda su influencia, la banda nunca tuvo un gran éxito, apenas fueron recibidos por la radio o MTV y fallaron en ser aceptados por el público masivo hasta años después de su retiro. Mientras su mentalidad de perros de ruta y feroces espectáculos en vivo les cosechó una legión de fieles fans, la banda pagó un alto precio, tanto física como emocionalmente.
Monte A Melnick lo vio todo: los arrestos, las sobredosis, las peleas, las rupturas, los maquillajes, las novias, los hoteles y los excesos. Como tour-manager desde su debut en CBGB el 16 de agosto de 1974 hasta su último show en Los Ángeles el 6 de agosto de 1996, Monte fue de hecho el quinto Ramone. En la Ruta con los Ramones es su historia.
344 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 5, 2007
Monte Melnick tour-managed the Ramones throughout their career. He described this as 'driving the special ed bus for a living'. The Ramones kept their infighting, their drug addiction, their control freakery all tucked away - they seemed to be a Happy Family.
It's a great read, but sad, too.
We shall never see their like again.
It's a great read, but sad, too.
We shall never see their like again.
September 16, 2008
I loved this book!I learned so much about The Ramones!The story was written by those who right with The Ramones during their legacy. Monte Melnick does a great job writing the book and was a great manager of The Ramones.
June 30, 2009
An amazing book. Full of things that make you want to laugh, cry, and barf.
December 8, 2012
This Thanksgiving, I was at San Diego's main library, helping my brother and his friend locate books on California Bungalows, when I saw this little tome. I snagged it in order to have the word equivalent of a bag of chips or bowl of mixed nuts lying around the house, and it turned out to be perfect for that job. As others have noted, non-fans needn't bother, but for the rest of us it's ideal -- Monte Melnick, as their road manager, had insider access their entire career, plus he structures his book as short, controlled bursts grouped by theme so it's ADHD-friendly too.
Let's just say … it explained a lot. I'm not a super fan, but know all the songs (through "Animal Boy") and am proud to have seen them live over a half-dozen times (probably much more, but I need to find my old ticket stubs!) I just hope they felt that the 22 years and 2000+ shows served were worth the trouble, because despite the considerable suffering and hell I'd say they significantly helped rock'n'roll -- as well as humanity's morale in general (as no doubt millions of other fans would agree). I just wish they'd treated their drummers better!
Well, I'm off to sniff glue (or paint, or roach spray) now ...
Let's just say … it explained a lot. I'm not a super fan, but know all the songs (through "Animal Boy") and am proud to have seen them live over a half-dozen times (probably much more, but I need to find my old ticket stubs!) I just hope they felt that the 22 years and 2000+ shows served were worth the trouble, because despite the considerable suffering and hell I'd say they significantly helped rock'n'roll -- as well as humanity's morale in general (as no doubt millions of other fans would agree). I just wish they'd treated their drummers better!
Well, I'm off to sniff glue (or paint, or roach spray) now ...
September 25, 2010
A fun and entertaining read from a wonderfully dysfunctional, musical family. Some of the stories are simply hilarious, especially of Joey's OCD. It's also a bit sad to think of the rift between Joey and Johnny... and all that time spent in that van to make it right. May Joey, Johnny, and Dee Dee rest in peace.
April 25, 2018
Monte Melnick should get a medal for keeping the band together; I loved the insight, the strange brew of personalities, and the stories behind hundreds of gigs.
December 25, 2020
El argumento del libro está construido sobre la historia del grupo ( supongo que esto no es ninguna sorpresa) y sigue un orden cronológico que da comienzo alrededor de 1965, cuando el autor Monte Melnick y Tommy (aun-no-era) Ramone forman una banda, para terminar en la muerte por cáncer de próstata de Johnny Ramone.
No esperes sin embargo una sucesión de datos fijados a un calendario. No. El hilo conductor está llevado por acontecimientos importantes dentro de la banda, especialmente por la expulsión o ingreso de los diferentes ‘Ramones’ a lo largo de la larga vida del grupo, pero también situaciones bizarras, relaciones ( o falta de las mismas) personales, giras, shows, desencuentros …. lo que se dice la vida misma en dos palabras. Si a eso añadimos que, como ya se ha dicho, la historia la escriben sus protagonistas, nos encontramos ante un relato sin pretensiones, de tú a tú. Unas veces descarnado, otras delirante y siempre muy cercano. Te hace reír y te emociona, pero en cualquier caso, su lectura invita a escuchar ( otra vez más) los discos del grupo.
Además del grueso del libro hay un listado de los casi tres mil conciertos que el grupo ofreció a lo largo de su carrera, así como un pequeño capítulo con comentarios de multitud de personajes de la escena musical elogiando (normalmente) la labor del grupo. Me ha sorprendido (para bien) ver la firma de David Lee Roth, el apuesto cantante de VAN HALEN… también las clásicas intros y un magnifico detalle por parte del traductor (Jaime Gonzalo de la revista RUTA66) al incluir reseñadas todas las notas aclarando algunos términos que él utiliza y que el lector puede o no conocer. Casi todo el mundo sabe lo que significa ‘mosh’ , ‘pinhead’ o lo que es un ‘jingle’, pero yo por lo menos no tenía la menor idea de que carajo hablaba al referirse a ‘Checkpoint Charlie’, ‘D.M.Z.’ o ‘Tinseltown’, así que gracias Jaime.
Por último toca hablar del trabajo editorial, y aquí es donde hay que ponerse de rodillas. Formato manejable, tapa dura, papel couché y a todo color para una recopilación de imágenes que uno quería ver adornando las paredes de casa. Me han gustado particularmente las fotos del grupo posando durante la gira europea del 77 en las que podemos ver a Joey vistiendo la misma camiseta de Amsterdam en el Museo de la Guerra finlandés, ante la cúpula de Saint Paul en Londres ( si no me equivoco) y junto a la estatua de LA Sirenita en Dinamarca. O bien compró varias camisetas iguales o lo que dicen de sus hábitos higiénicos se quedaba corto!. En fin, aparte de esta tontería insisto, no he visto muchos libros tan bien publicados. Hay editoriales que publican como quien fabrica chorizos: mucho y de cualquier manera., y hay otras que muestran bastante más respeto por el lector y ponen en sus manos un trabajo rematadamente bien hecho.
Más libros así, por favor.
No esperes sin embargo una sucesión de datos fijados a un calendario. No. El hilo conductor está llevado por acontecimientos importantes dentro de la banda, especialmente por la expulsión o ingreso de los diferentes ‘Ramones’ a lo largo de la larga vida del grupo, pero también situaciones bizarras, relaciones ( o falta de las mismas) personales, giras, shows, desencuentros …. lo que se dice la vida misma en dos palabras. Si a eso añadimos que, como ya se ha dicho, la historia la escriben sus protagonistas, nos encontramos ante un relato sin pretensiones, de tú a tú. Unas veces descarnado, otras delirante y siempre muy cercano. Te hace reír y te emociona, pero en cualquier caso, su lectura invita a escuchar ( otra vez más) los discos del grupo.
Además del grueso del libro hay un listado de los casi tres mil conciertos que el grupo ofreció a lo largo de su carrera, así como un pequeño capítulo con comentarios de multitud de personajes de la escena musical elogiando (normalmente) la labor del grupo. Me ha sorprendido (para bien) ver la firma de David Lee Roth, el apuesto cantante de VAN HALEN… también las clásicas intros y un magnifico detalle por parte del traductor (Jaime Gonzalo de la revista RUTA66) al incluir reseñadas todas las notas aclarando algunos términos que él utiliza y que el lector puede o no conocer. Casi todo el mundo sabe lo que significa ‘mosh’ , ‘pinhead’ o lo que es un ‘jingle’, pero yo por lo menos no tenía la menor idea de que carajo hablaba al referirse a ‘Checkpoint Charlie’, ‘D.M.Z.’ o ‘Tinseltown’, así que gracias Jaime.
Por último toca hablar del trabajo editorial, y aquí es donde hay que ponerse de rodillas. Formato manejable, tapa dura, papel couché y a todo color para una recopilación de imágenes que uno quería ver adornando las paredes de casa. Me han gustado particularmente las fotos del grupo posando durante la gira europea del 77 en las que podemos ver a Joey vistiendo la misma camiseta de Amsterdam en el Museo de la Guerra finlandés, ante la cúpula de Saint Paul en Londres ( si no me equivoco) y junto a la estatua de LA Sirenita en Dinamarca. O bien compró varias camisetas iguales o lo que dicen de sus hábitos higiénicos se quedaba corto!. En fin, aparte de esta tontería insisto, no he visto muchos libros tan bien publicados. Hay editoriales que publican como quien fabrica chorizos: mucho y de cualquier manera., y hay otras que muestran bastante más respeto por el lector y ponen en sus manos un trabajo rematadamente bien hecho.
Más libros así, por favor.
December 31, 2023
LITERATURE in PUNK ROCK - Books #69-71
------------------------
BOOK:
- Ramones (33 1/3 series)
- Why The Ramones Matter
- On the Road with the Ramones
--------------------------
The Ramones were an American punk rock band. Formed in the New York City neighborhood Forest Hills, Queens in 1974, they are often cited as the first true punk rock group. Though achieving little commercial success, the band is today seen as highly influential.
The first two books were elongated cultural studies paper bereft of intimacy. On the Road with Ramones by Tour Manager Monte Melnick comparatively was a heartfelt, intimate, multi-perspective exposition. The book employed an open discussion format of numerous individuals from across the decades.
My plan was to end the year reading (nearly) every book on the Ramones. That changed soon upon reading the On the Road with the Ramones. A surprisingly often-quoted, roadie/guitar-tech was the father of a close childhood friend.
Tomorrow would be your 39th Birthday, Trevor. We miss you.
------------------------
BOOK:
- Ramones (33 1/3 series)
- Why The Ramones Matter
- On the Road with the Ramones
--------------------------
The Ramones were an American punk rock band. Formed in the New York City neighborhood Forest Hills, Queens in 1974, they are often cited as the first true punk rock group. Though achieving little commercial success, the band is today seen as highly influential.
The first two books were elongated cultural studies paper bereft of intimacy. On the Road with Ramones by Tour Manager Monte Melnick comparatively was a heartfelt, intimate, multi-perspective exposition. The book employed an open discussion format of numerous individuals from across the decades.
My plan was to end the year reading (nearly) every book on the Ramones. That changed soon upon reading the On the Road with the Ramones. A surprisingly often-quoted, roadie/guitar-tech was the father of a close childhood friend.
Tomorrow would be your 39th Birthday, Trevor. We miss you.
November 13, 2020
I thought this was a book about touring with the Ramones, but it's really a full scale oral biography (ala "Please Kill Me") of the band's history by everyone in the band and those close to them. Easily the best thing I've read about The Ramones. Great graphics/photos/memorabilia included!
April 14, 2013
I didn't reckon much on this book, I found it very basic and general.
In fairness to Monte.M, his book was out before Mickey Leighs, I Slept With Joey Ramone, which I had read first and was very detailed, so there was very little new in On The Road With The Ramones.
I also didn't like the books format , written in conversation form, with everybody chipping in, lot's of space taken up by this format and not enough written text, also, lot's of pages taken up with posters, hotel and passport documents.
I found this book a disappointment, if you're wanting to read about the Ramones, I'd recommend , I Slept With Joey Ramone and Commando.
In fairness to Monte.M, his book was out before Mickey Leighs, I Slept With Joey Ramone, which I had read first and was very detailed, so there was very little new in On The Road With The Ramones.
I also didn't like the books format , written in conversation form, with everybody chipping in, lot's of space taken up by this format and not enough written text, also, lot's of pages taken up with posters, hotel and passport documents.
I found this book a disappointment, if you're wanting to read about the Ramones, I'd recommend , I Slept With Joey Ramone and Commando.
December 31, 2009
As a veteran of more Ramones show than I can remember,this book was great.Not a book in the traditional sense.More like each person in the band,friends,other musicians,etc making comments or telling stories about various events from start to end of the band.
The author was their tour manager,so a unique insight and inside view.
The author was their tour manager,so a unique insight and inside view.
September 17, 2012
Probably the best book about The Ramones available, though Mickey Leigh's "I Slept With A Ramone" is very insightful concerning Joey/ But Monte's book is the most informative out there.
March 6, 2013
A great account from the tour/road manager for almost all of the Ramones' career. Funny and sad at times as well.
August 28, 2025
This is an oral history from a variety of perspectives of all the people who were actually there. You won't get an objective view, reflection, or a deeper dig into why they were so big everywhere in the world but their home country but you will get the facts as everyone saw them and you will learn a lot. Monte Melnick was indeed there even before the beginning, saw the birth and death of the band, in between herding not only a band of wildly eccentric musicians but their often wayward roadies as well. I can't really call this a definitive biography of the band because it lacks an analytical side and for all the mentions of how important they were to their more successful peers, none of the artists approached offer their opinions of why they were important or an explanation of why their groups' success surpassed the Ramones'. But Monte was a road manager, not a journalist. He's gathered all the right people together to tell their stories so you'll get the raw research and be left to draw your own conclusions. For his part, Melnick does try not to take sides, he was obviously fond of all of them, warts and all. It's a bittersweet tale and unfortunately ends before Tommy passed so there is still more to tell. Maybe he'll do an update before he joins them.
March 19, 2018
A wonderful book for fans of the Ramones. Collected from interviews current and past from all those involved including family and friends, this paints an eye-opening picture of the reality behind the legendary band.
Monte was the glue that held the group together for 22 years on the road. That is more astonishing when you read of some of the things going on which would seem certain to split any other group.
It's fascinating to get a better view of the real people behind the cartoon image. But perhaps surprising to find how similar reality turns out.
This is the original edition of the book I've been reading (it's sat unread in my bookshelves too long) and was written before Johnny and Tommy died but after the passing of Joey and Dee Dee.
Monte was the glue that held the group together for 22 years on the road. That is more astonishing when you read of some of the things going on which would seem certain to split any other group.
It's fascinating to get a better view of the real people behind the cartoon image. But perhaps surprising to find how similar reality turns out.
This is the original edition of the book I've been reading (it's sat unread in my bookshelves too long) and was written before Johnny and Tommy died but after the passing of Joey and Dee Dee.
June 3, 2019
Muchas imágenes novedosas para mí y opiniones interesantes, de primera mano, de los protagonistas y gente que estuvo "ahí". Se lee con rapidez y, por momentos, ávidamente (sobre todo, lo relacionado con la prehistoria de la banda. Monte y Tommy son personajes entrañables). Hacia el final, es innegable, cansa un poco.
Establecido eso, tengo que decir que de a ratos me sentí como quien lee un inmenso revipóster con muchas fotos y textos redactados por un subnormal. Tal vez sea solo la edición nacional, pero abundan los errores y las imprecisiones, cosa que obligatoriamente rebaja la obra: dos estrellas y media que, por obra y gracia de Goodreads, se redondean a tres. (Acaso no sea yo el público de un libro así.)
Establecido eso, tengo que decir que de a ratos me sentí como quien lee un inmenso revipóster con muchas fotos y textos redactados por un subnormal. Tal vez sea solo la edición nacional, pero abundan los errores y las imprecisiones, cosa que obligatoriamente rebaja la obra: dos estrellas y media que, por obra y gracia de Goodreads, se redondean a tres. (Acaso no sea yo el público de un libro así.)
December 21, 2019
Joey fucking lives. NY
I was hesitant of reading this book, but then it turned to be one of the best. It’s a book about real
Comments and interviews from Monte, the one that toured the Ramones all over the world and handled all of ther deseases and near death experiences. They are one of the best ever since they all were bums from new york that had a gem inside them. They worked hard, they never stoped and they did lots of drugs but never went wasted on stage.
Besides all of the wildness they had control and were out of control at the same time. Hawt 🔥 they were about being annoyed, mental illnesses and love to be themselves and being hated because of that.
I was hesitant of reading this book, but then it turned to be one of the best. It’s a book about real
Comments and interviews from Monte, the one that toured the Ramones all over the world and handled all of ther deseases and near death experiences. They are one of the best ever since they all were bums from new york that had a gem inside them. They worked hard, they never stoped and they did lots of drugs but never went wasted on stage.
Besides all of the wildness they had control and were out of control at the same time. Hawt 🔥 they were about being annoyed, mental illnesses and love to be themselves and being hated because of that.
January 27, 2022
Fun read - I thought I knew quite a bit about the Ramones, being a large fan and having watched a couple documentaries about them, but this gave me a lot more. Joey, as a fellow lanky strange-looking man with Marfan's disorder, has always been one of my idols, but I never knew about his intense OCD. Johnny always struck me as a total asshole, and this proves that point wholeheartedly. And then I learned way more about the other members of the cast. Good book, if a bit repetitive at times (the 1000 comments about HOW THEY SHOULD HAVE MADE IT IN THEIR OWN TIME could have been toned down, for example).
August 3, 2023
I've read Dee Dee's book and Johnny's book and watched and read countless interviews. None of them have ever felt as honest as this book. I love that it has interviews from everyone involved (aside from Richie who was barely mentioned) and I feel like you hear some really heartfelt stuff and a lowering of the guard compared to other books. Especially for Johnny.
If you're a Ramones fan I'd say this is the must read book. Monte does occasionally seem to pat himself on the back a lot and hype himself up which I found a little off putting. But hey, he deserves the praise so I'll let him have it.
If you're a Ramones fan I'd say this is the must read book. Monte does occasionally seem to pat himself on the back a lot and hype himself up which I found a little off putting. But hey, he deserves the praise so I'll let him have it.
March 21, 2023
Growing up all the Ramones extended family were familiar names to me. Vera, Dee Dees nutty girlfriend, Linda who swapped Joey for Johnny, Arturo Vega's creative work complementing their short sharp songs, and dear old Monte Melnick their much put upon manager Danny says was written about Danny Fields and there were name checks along the way for Roger Corman, Alan Arkush, Rodney Biggenheimer et Al Squeezed into an inadequate minibus they traversed their native land At one particularly remote gas station the sole chap on duty looked at the bruddas and drawled 'Say, are these from a retard home- I sure admire you, couldn't do it myself...
September 28, 2023
Creo que este es el mejor recuento de la historia de The Ramones, aunque el estilo en que se presentan una serie de anécdotas me pareció un poco soso al principio, y que el buen Monte no se había esmerado por escribir un libro de verdad, al final me pareció bastante interesante. Reúne a casi todas las voces y no tienen miedo en mostrar muchos aspectos personales de la banda, como los deslices ultra conservadores de Johnny. En general es un excelente libro que recoje cientos de anécdotas de una de las bandas más innovadoras de la historia.
April 10, 2020
This book was a great history of the Ramones, told by their road manager and long time friend Monte Melnick. It was a fun trip down memory lane for me, as a fan from years ago, and also an interesting recounting of a band that had a huge impact on rock and roll music. Loads of pictures made it fun. I also enjoyed the style of writing, that was something like a VH1 rockumentary with quotes from many different people in each chapter.
June 26, 2021
Excellent. Your favorite Ramones book might be different, but for me, this is the perfect blend of all of them -- all the books, all the Ramones themselves, all the styles, everything. Lots of pictures, tons and tons and TONS of interviews, lots of facts and "facts." For all the crap the band put Monte through, he deserves not only a ton of credit but the crown of Best Ramones Book. Kudos to him.
April 12, 2024
This may be my favorite of all the Ramones books. Mostly oral history format, feels honest. A ton of participants. Great pics. It feels pretty fair and even as far as how the band members are portrayed. Did not pick up on any strong biases. I liked the behind the scenes info on pre/post show workings. All the moving parts while herding cats. This answered my question of “did any help Joey?”. MM is a fu@&king saint. Hope he’s doing well
January 25, 2025
Monte no solamente es el 5to Ramone sino que además tiene una memoria privilegiada y suficiente material histórico de la banda que sustenta tranquilamente todo lo que cuenta.
Un libro excelente no solo para fanáticos de la banda sino para todos aquellos melómanos y los que tengan hambre de comprender por qué Ramones se convirtió en la aplanadora musical que fue y será.
Espectacular de principio a fin!
Un libro excelente no solo para fanáticos de la banda sino para todos aquellos melómanos y los que tengan hambre de comprender por qué Ramones se convirtió en la aplanadora musical que fue y será.
Espectacular de principio a fin!
October 17, 2025
A look back at the story of the Ramones told through cobbled together transcripts of interviews and through the lens of the experiences of their long-time road manager Monte A. Melnick.
I love the Ramones. I love their music, their stories, their individual personalities. However, I really didn’t love the use of out-of-context verbatim quotes to tell their story. It made it hard to access and there was no clear through-line apart from vague topics in each chapter.
I love the Ramones. I love their music, their stories, their individual personalities. However, I really didn’t love the use of out-of-context verbatim quotes to tell their story. It made it hard to access and there was no clear through-line apart from vague topics in each chapter.
December 27, 2025
This book is really great for managing how there is different perspectives and a lot of he said she said with the Ramones as a band.
Additionally, I felt that this book did a really good job on giving a lot of information from behind the scenes with Monte, the roadies, productions, etc. Though, the book did great with also incorporating knowledge of their personalities and how they were truly as a band while looking into their side projects and the like.
Additionally, I felt that this book did a really good job on giving a lot of information from behind the scenes with Monte, the roadies, productions, etc. Though, the book did great with also incorporating knowledge of their personalities and how they were truly as a band while looking into their side projects and the like.
March 21, 2020
If you are like me and you love the Ramones and can’t get enough of them - you will love this book ! Written in the same style as Please Kill Me by Legs McNeill you get to hear from everyone in the Ramones and their families and crew speak and there are some great stories ! Tons of pictures and memorabilia included too !
June 29, 2021
Three-and-a-half stars. I preferred Johnny Ramone's book Commando, but that's mostly because this book bounced around chapter to chapter rather than being arranged chronologically. I did enjoy that this book is an oral history. It dealt with some less savory elements of the band members that made it harder to "enjoy."
March 17, 2023
This is by far one of the better books written about The Ramones.
Monte was there through all of it and survived to tell the tale.
It's hard to believe that there were such love/hate relationships in the band.
I'm super impressed at all that he remembered and wrote about....or kept excellent journals.
It's a must read for any Ramones fan.
Monte was there through all of it and survived to tell the tale.
It's hard to believe that there were such love/hate relationships in the band.
I'm super impressed at all that he remembered and wrote about....or kept excellent journals.
It's a must read for any Ramones fan.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews