I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During and After the Ramones

by Richie Ramone

It's 1982 and the Ramones are in a gutter-bound spiral. Following a run of inconsistent albums and deep in the throes of internal tensions, the legendary quartet is about to crash and burn.Enter Richie Ramone.Then a 26-year-old from New Jersey named Richard Reinhardt, he's snapped up by the group to be their new drummer and instantly goes from the obscurity of the underground club scene to membership in the most famous punk-rock band of all time, revitalizing the pioneering outfit with his powerful, precise, and blindingly fast beats – composing classic cuts like the menacing anthem “Somebody Put Something in My Drink” and becoming the only Ramones percussionist to sing lead vocals for the group. With the Ramones, he performs over five hundred shows at venues all around the world and records three storming studio albums – before abruptly quitting the band and going deep underground. To most fans, this crucial figure in the band's history has remained a mystery, his tale untold.Until now.I Know Better My Life Before, During, and After the Ramones is the firsthand, four-on-the-floor account of a life in rock 'n' roll and in one of its most influential acts – straight from the sticks of the man who kept the beat.

Genres: Music, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Biography

326 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2018

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ritchie Ramone and Peter Aaron write an easy to read and very interesting story of the time Ritchie spent playing the drums, sometimes singing, writing songs, recording albums and of course touring with Johnny, Joey, and DeeDee. It's no secret that I love the Ramones, so it should be no surprise that I give this 5 stars. I love books about the Ramones unless they are critical, then, well, I probably wouldn't read it. Ritchie's story, until now, has not been one that many of us fans knew about. One minute he was there and the next he was gone. It was great to get read about him, how he grew up, what music he liked, played, listened to, and preferred to play. I really enjoyed the technical pieces about drumming and how Ritchie grew his talent whether through lessons early on or how he practiced and built up speed, endurance, and muscles. I've seen Ritchie perform with the Ramones and at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash and he is simply amazing whether behind the drums or when he steps up to sing. He also is great with us fans and makes time for pictures, autographs, and chatting. The honesty in the book and the self awareness (even if it came later in life) was on point. I respected what Ritchie accomplished while with the Ramones before reading this and after reading it I respect him more. It's a miss that he isn't included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the group.

[Ammon · Rating 3 out of 5]

In hindsight, I should’ve paid more attention to the title of Richie Ramone’s memoir (written with Peter Aaron), I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During and After the Ramones. Turns out, I was really only interested in his life with the Ramones.

The highlight, hands down, is the backstory behind the Ramones staple “Somebody Put Something in My Drink”-and even that was only mildly interesting. For context: Richie wrote the song, inspired by a real-life incident where his drink was spiked with LSD, and it became one of the band’s best-known tracks from his era.

Coming off the high of Nate Bargatze’s thoroughly entertaining Big Dumb Eyes, Richie’s memoir had a tough act to follow. As a huge Ramones fan, I was hoping Richie would surprise me. He didn’t.

Like many rockstar memoirs, this one leans heavily on the overplayed trio: sex, drugs, and rock and roll. For me, it was just too much. I didn’t need all the details of Richie’s underage escapades and high school drug experiments. It wasn’t edgy-it was just tedious.

Richie’s time with the Ramones was a brief blip in his life, but it’s the only part I cared about. The rest felt like filler.

To his credit, Richie is the only one who could narrate his story, and he does a fine job. But it’s not enough to elevate this beyond a 2.5 ⭐️ listen for me.

Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. These opinions are my own.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.

[BiblioSizzle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. I think that maybe I should have read a physical copy instead of listening to the audio. Ritchie’s voice and monotone expressionless voice made it difficult to pay attention to and even harder to love. The content was interesting enough, and anyone who was a fan of their music or this point in time will likely enjoy this.

[Nestor Rychtyckyj · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple of years ago I went to see Richie Ramone and his band play at the Corktown Tavern in Detroit. In front of a very enthusiastic crowd he pounded through a solid set of rock & roll highlighted by those great Ramones songs we all expected. After the show I bought a CD from him and was going to ask him in a joking fashion – “When is your book coming out?” as by then every single member of the Ramones (except Tommy) had a book out. Maybe Richie already had the idea and finally the forgotten Ramone has come out and told his own story.

Richie’s book is straightforward and direct like a Ramones song – and as the title indicates it covers his whole life before and after his years with the Ramones. He grew up in Passaic, New Jersey, had and has a loving family life and was supported by his parents to pursue a career in music as a drummer. He gives all of us non-musicians a deep explanation of drumming techniques and makes no attempt to disguise the fact that he wasn’t interested in punk or the Ramones till much later. Even through he saw the Ramones in 1976, he didn’t own a single Ramones album until he became a member of the band. He auditioned and got the job when Marky was fired and was the drummer for close to five years.

Richie’s time with the Ramones is obviously what made this book possible and he speaks of his efforts to bond with the other Ramones which worked mostly with Joey. Richie does not see the hostility between Johnny and Joey during his time with the band and he becomes an integral part of the band by writing songs (such as the iconic “Somebody Put Something in My Drink”) and helping with production work. However, as we all know, Richie does not ever become a real Ramone; during his entire tenure he is paid a salary and gets nothing from the merchandise sales. This all comes to a head and Richie abruptly quits the band before a tour and is ultimately replaced by Marky again.

For me the first part of the book dragged a bit – he doesn’t join the Ramones till almost halfway through the book. The most poignant part of the book is his relationship with Francine Valli (daughter of Frankie) and her tragic death at age 20. Richie’s musical career after the Ramones does not pan out and he never speaks with Joey again. Like a disgraced Soviet leader his role is written out of the Ramones history and he is not included in their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Game. Richie has to sue to get the songwriting credits back for his own songs and does not return to music for many years. Joey Ramone’s brother, Mickey Leigh, brings him back into the Ramones family by inviting him to play at the annual Joey Ramone birthday bash.

Throughout the book Richie is brutally honest about his achievements and mistakes – and talks about his decision to quit the band without hiding anything. Johnny Ramone was notoriously cheap and Richie’s direct approach for 10% of the merchandise profits seemed fair but was refused by Johnny. Of course, Richie should have had his lawyers handle this and he admits that. He regrets losing contact with Joey and attends Joey’s funeral where he hears that Joey was asking about him during his final few days. Richie’s role in the Ramones should be recognized and celebrated – besides being a fantastic drummer and a gifted songwriter he came in and in the words of Joey Ramone “Richie saved the band”.

A definite worthy addition to the Ramones canon – and if Richie comes to your town – check it out – he puts on a great show.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected book by Richie. Honestly didn't think a book would be written by him. Good thing he did, though. From his childhood to what he did before the Ramones is very interesting and shines a light to how he got this chops before playing in the most infamous punk band. Richie also has a lot of stories that are quite funny (in a modest way), and will keep you amused. His time in the Ramones wasn't expanded on too much than I thought may have; or maybe that was all there really was to tell-or he felt was important enough. Unfortunately he copped the wrath of John near the end and John's hard ways drove Richie away. He sums up what he has done before getting to the present day (in 2018), and makes it known that he is a Ramone forever and nobody can take that away from him-no arguments there. Not a long read, but informative and the most elaborated part of the book was before the Ramones, so you really get a sense of who he is and what he was like growing up with some very humorous moments of self-reflection. A likeable enough character, but not without his flaws like anyone else. Highly recommended to a Ramones fan-especially if they really dig Richie's playing in his time with the group.

I have also met Richie once, and I had my vinyl covers and a Too Tough To Die shirt signed. He was pleasant and took a couple of pictures with me. He has a great live show too!

[RatGrrrl]

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

I tried because The Ramones, but my AuDHD just can't do non fiction, so this a DNF @ 13%

I was pretty obsessed with The Ramones growing up and absolutely adore Too Tough to Die. I was in a punk band between 16-18 and we played Blitzkrieg Bop, but that's not an interesting story, so who cares?

I'm sure there are some really interesting stories later on in this book, but I couldn't handle Richie's monotonous tone and painfully boring childhood stories that truly feel like filler.

With all due respect, I just don't care about the life of some old guy that happened to be in a band I like, especially with just how boring the whole childhood section was...even on double speed, which Richie might at least appreciate.

I'm sure die hard fans and those who particularly enjoy musicians' autobiographies will absolutely get a kick out of this, but I need to be listening to something that is going to transport me away from this moment into a compelling narrative, fictional or otherwise, and the opening gambit of this book absolutely did not do that for me.

[Chris Haught · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC audiobook of this title from the publisher through NetGalley...

When I saw a memoir available from a member of the Ramones, I had two quick thoughts. One, that I had to request it. And two, that I thought the original members of the band had all died.....

This was true, and as it turned out, this was written and narrated by a replacement drummer that came along a few years after the Ramones hit it big. Richie Ramone was actually only there for the recordings and tours of a couple of albums in the mid 80s, and while this was an era of the band that might be seen as past their prime, it was still an important turning point in the history of the Ramones. A last surge of popularity perhaps before the final years....

As most musical memoirs tell the story of an artist or band from early on, this one is different. It does tell how Richard Reinhardt grew up and found his love of music, and it covers his life and career. But the big draw, his time as the drummer for the Ramones, had the unique perspective of an outsider coming in (and going out again). While we do get a great snapshot of how the band worked its routines with writing, recording, touring, and dealing with fans and media, the window of perspective here is that of a new member finding his way into the heart of the band.

Highly recommended for those that enjoy a good story of a modern classic rock band, especially someone that enjoys the music.....

Hey hey, let's go....

[Don Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool inside look into my favorite band. The ups and downs of being a part of a struggling group is intriguing. As is the case in most bands better communication could have solved most of the turmoil that caused the Ramones so much strife.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC, and revisitation to an iconic time in history.

I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During, and After the Ramones by Richie Ramone (with Peter Aaron), narrated by the drummer himself, is a memoir that snarls, speeds, and swings with punk energy—but what lingers is its startling emotional clarity. This is no nostalgia-laced tell-all; it’s a raw, rhythm-driven meditation on creative identity, brotherhood, and defiance in the face of chaos.

Richie’s voice- in writing and narration—is unfiltered and unmistakably his. It’s gruff, sure, but it's also brimming with vulnerability that never veers into self-pity. He doesn’t romanticize his entrance into the Ramones’ power vacuum after Marky’s departure. He simply owns it. The intensity of band dynamics—particularly the subtle psychological warfare between Johnny’s authoritarian drive and Joey’s guarded tenderness—simmers beneath Richie’s recollections. He’s the Ramone with something to prove, and paradoxically, the one with the most to lose.

What makes this memoir pulse beyond the expected is its dual rhythm: the ferocious crash of Richie’s drumming mirrored by quieter beats of self-discovery. When he recounts his mother’s death or his brush with heroin, his performance slows, breathes—and that’s when the memoir breaks open emotionally. There’s artistry in the way Richie performs his own life story: not just giving us events, but letting us feel the reverberations of those events in his voice.

The memoir also offers unexpected insight into the often-overlooked post-Ramones years—his classical compositions, battles for creative credit, and attempts to reclaim his narrative in a music industry that often forgets the percussionist behind the beat. This isn't just a punk memoir. It’s a reclamation project, an act of self-production.

For listeners seeking a crash course in punk history, Richie’s tale delivers the goods. But for those willing to tune into the subtext—the longing, the survival, the need to matter on one’s own terms—it’s something more transcendent: it's a rebel's ballad for becoming whole.

[E.R. Burgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

In "I Know Better Now," Richie Ramone, one of the three drummers who helped shape the iconic sound of the Ramones, offers readers a solid, if somewhat unexceptional, musician's biography. While the book provides a glimpse into the world of punk rock royalty, it falls short of being a tell-all expose, with Ramone refraining from airing too much dirty laundry about his former bandmates.

The narrative takes its time to reach what we want to read – Ramone's tenure with the band. The early chapters, detailing his formative years, provide little in the way of compelling insights into his development as a musician. We learn of his admiration for Buddy Rich and his interest in jazz fusion, which, while logical for a drummer, doesn't particularly captivate.

The book gains momentum when his time with the Ramones comes into focus. Here, readers are treated to some mild insights into the legendary Joey Ramone. However, Ramone's apparent lack of a close relationship with Johnny Ramone, the band's de facto leader, results in a somewhat limited perspective on the inner workings of the group. This may leave some readers wanting more behind-the-scenes information about one of punk's most influential bands.

Ramone does deliver his fair share of rock 'n' roll anecdotes. However, these stories, while fun, don't necessarily set this biography apart from countless others in the genre. One notable exception is Ramone's mention of questionable financial dealings that may have unfairly impacted his earnings. That also led to his departure and he’s the reader root for him.

Like many musician biographies, "I Know Better Now" could benefit from more concise storytelling. The best anecdotes and insights could likely be distilled into a shorter, punchier narrative without losing the essence of Ramone's experiences.

[Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't grow up listening to the Ramones; in fact, I wouldn't have been allowed in the very religious household I grew up in. In the early 2000s, Pop Punk was popular, and I went on a deep dive into the original punk bands from the 70s and 80s. Of course, the Ramones were the quintessential punk band, and I listened to all of their albums. I have not read any other biography or watched any programs about them; my overall knowledge is pretty much limited to listening to their music. I saw this book written by one of their drummers and had to read it.

The vast majority of the book is about Richie's time before entering the Ramones, how he got into music, playing in other bands, experimenting with drugs, and other life events. Then he gets into his time with the band, the highlights, how they recorded, their touring, hotel stays, and his departure from the group. Which is totally understandable as to why he left. He briefly goes over the highlights of what he's done since he left the band and his benefit concerts with the remaining living Ramones. It's an autobiography, so it isn't super exciting, but it is interesting to see this perspective. Richie didn't start or end with the band, but he was an important part and wrote some of their big hits. What really surprised me was that the Ramones weren't crazy popular in the US.. That is just baffling to me. They were super successful overseas, but in the US, they didn't break into the top 50. This was such a prolific group; it just surprised me. It was also interesting seeing how different the guys were from their onstage personas and how business was done. I believe that if you enjoyed the Ramones, this is a good book to read or listen to. I always prefer to listen to the author read to me about themselves. You get some of the nuances that you wouldn't have gotten by just reading.

[Ashby Dodd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know a lot about music, but weirdly, I know next to nothing about the Ramones beyond their greatest hits. So, listening to Richie Ramone's memoir felt like opening a door to a legendary band's most messy and fascinating chapter.

In 1982, the Ramones were falling apart—until 26-year-old Richie Ramone (AKA Richard Reinhardt) came crashing in from Jersey, and gave the band the jolt it desperately needed. He wrote songs, sang lead vocals (a first for a Ramones drummer), and toured the globe before walking away and disappearing from the spotlight. I Know Better Now tells his side of the story: unfiltered, unapologetic, and long overdue.

Now, about the narration. I love it when authors read their own memoirs—it adds authenticity you can't fake. But Richie's voice can get a little grating over time. It's not bad—just rough around the edges. That said, only Richie can be Richie, and his delivery does hit especially hard in the emotional moments. If you're a fan of his voice, you'll eat this up. If not, you might want to check out the print version instead.

Either way, I Know Better Now deserves your attention. It's punk, it's raw, and it finally gives one of rock's most mysterious drummers the spotlight he's long deserved.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for an advanced listener's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[KylieAtkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ramones are such an iconic 70's/80's band and arguably the first punk rock band. It's had many band members over the years (all adopting the surname Ramone) and this story is about one of the three drummers they had, Richie Ramone.

There are lots of interesting snippets in this book, lots of mentions of other bands of the time, lots of drugs and lots of sex (although we find out he prefers a BJ...). But there is also a lot of stuff about Richie's life before the Ramones (he doesn't join the band until half way through the book) and some of it isn't that interesting or doesn't add to shaping him as a musician or life lessons. Fans of theirs will eat this up but I felt the first half dragged on a bit.

Once he was in the band, it was fascinating how it worked, how the dynamics were, the hierarchy, the pay rates and how he felt like an outsider. Was his sudden departure justified? Probably not with the benefit of hindsight but at the time, I would have been pissed too.

Overall, I felt like I learnt some things (who knew Norma from Orange is the New Black used to be a punk rocker?!), and have listened to a few more of their songs. The audio version of this is read by Richie himself and I have to admit, it's a little stilted and more read rather than talking like he's reminiscing.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia for the digital copy of this audiobook; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Confession time: I’m not a huge Ramones fan. I know some of their music, but I’m definitely not a Super Fan. But I like a good rock ‘n’ roll story as much as the next person, so I was interested in learning more about the band.

Richie Ramone started out life as Richard Reinhardt, growing up in New Jersey. He had very supportive parents who encouraged him and his drumming. He talks a lot about his time before he joined The Ramones (almost half the book), and it was a case of being in the right place at the right time. Marky was fired, and he was hired to replace him on the drums.

Richie didn’t know any of the other members and tried hard to bond with the other band members. He did get pretty close with Joey, but he did not see the problems between Joey and Johnny. Despite the fact that Richie was in the band for almost five years, he never really becomes a real Ramone. He was a salaried employee with zero compensation from merchandising. That was when Richie decided to leave the band, to be replaced by his predecessor, Marky.

Now I’m curious about the other memoirs written by almost all the other Ramones. Even though I don’t have a deep connection to the band, this was an interesting listen, narrated by Richie himself.

[DaisyDoesBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Ramones music but hadn’t read any of the history behind the band, so Richie’s story was all completely new to me.
We follow him from his childhood to the current day, through all the bands he joined that led him to the Ramones. And it’s all as you’d expect from the scene - sex and drugs and rock n roll!
Honestly, this was just an average read for me. The anecdotes weren’t particularly interesting (and sitting writing this review I can’t recall any of them!) or scandalous, which you might expect from a biography. The only specific thing I recall is that he says he’s a ‘bit of a joker’ and still occasionally likes to spike people for shits and giggles (as recently as 2018, but decided against it because he didn’t want to ruin the gig…) … okaaaaaay…..
I think fans of the Ramones who are looking to expand their knowledge of each of the members of the band might get more from this than I did, but it was fairly easy reading and it has made me want to read further about the band.
A note on the audiobook - it’s read by Richie himself, but unfortunately this is to the detriment of the experience. He is very monotone and sounds like he’s reading from something he has no connection with, like when a child is reading aloud. This alone knocked a star off my rating.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free review copy.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an autobiography than an in-depth look at life with the Ramones, I know Better Now offers a snapshot of 1970's and 80's New Jersey and the local music scene. Richie had his fair share of 70's middle-class NJ fun - drugs, girls, alcohol, setting things on fire, (you get the picture) - and it still didn't fully prepare him for life with the Ramones.

Richie Ramone is a musician who studied under some great drummers, and his knowledge of musical styles is deeper than I would have thought. Not nice, I know, assuming a drummer in a punk band in the early 80's wouldn't know about the great wide world of music; what was I thinking?

If you want to read about the Ramones and only the Ramones, this book will be something that helps fill out the history from Richie's point of view. It isn't the end-all and be-all of Ramones biographies, and it doesn't pretend to be. You will walk away knowing a lot about Richie.

Richie Ramone narrates the book, which makes it feel like the listener has been invited into his world. He writes/narrates with a very friendly tone, and you can definitely tell what kind of a teen/young adult he was (fun for some, probably not so much for parents).

My thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia/Recorded Books for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Relena_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is Richie Ramone the greatest memoirist in the history of ever? No. Does he consistently stumble into some pretty interesting niche moments of history? Yes. From his tragic romance with Francine Valli to his time doing lines with Lemmy to his eventual reclamation of his songwriting credits, Richie has enough interesting stories that he could definitely round out a tour at the Punk Rock Museum. As a person who's paid that upcharge to be guided through punk history from a person who lived it (not Richie), this book felt like that. I was being led from set piece to set piece with a bit of name-dropping in between. Major props, though, for not including the name of his ex-wife. That was a classy and respectful move. Also, there were just enough call-outs of Johnny's deeply unpunk personal beliefs without that being the reason for their tiff, and I'm here for calling out all of the people making money off of punk while being personally square AF. I might buy Richie merch, or something that just goes to Joey or Dee Dee's estates, but Ramones' nostalgia is tempered by Johnny being in it for the money, not the revolution.

Audio ARC provided by NetGalley.

[Brian Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to RBmedia for an ALC of the audiobook.

Content warnings: sex, drugs and rock & roll.

I Know Better Now by Richie Ramone and Peter Aaron is an autobiographical work detailing Richie’s life before, during and after his time as the drummer for seminal punk rockers The Ramones. The audiobook is narrated by Richie himself.

As a big fan of The Ramones, it was good to hear Richie’s perspective on his time with the band, as well as the experiences that shaped him beforehand. Richie is not a professional narrator, which sometimes shows, but there’s something endearing about hearing him read his story with that Jersey accent coming through. This was a solid listen for fans of The Ramones and/or punk rock history.

[Michela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big fans of the Ramones like yours truly will enjoy this book for sure, because Richie is here to SPILL THE TEA.
All jokes aside, it's a very interesting read, especially when he shares very personal insight to the life of a musician and composer, and his relationship with the other members of the band.
I didn't need to know about all the fellatio he got while touring, but I guess that's part of the deal, right?
The audiobook is narrated by Richie Ramone himself, I thought he did a good job!

* I'd like to thank Richie Ramone, Peter Aaron, RB Media and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished I Know Better by Richie Ramone and I liked it. It’s got that raw, straight-talking vibe you'd expect from a punk rocker, and if you're into music or drumming, there are some cool behind-the-scenes bits and drum tips that are actually pretty interesting. You can tell he’s passionate about what he does.

That said, I could’ve done without all the sex stuff—especially the detailed bits from his younger years. Reading it as a thirty something mum of two it felt a bit like oversharing. But aside from that, it’s a solid read if you’re into music memoirs with some grit.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's interesting that the Ramones let Richie call himself Richie Ramone because he was in the group, but the different anecdotes he told weren't interesting for the most part. It felt like there was a lot of him as a kid, and I found myself thinking I was a worse kid than he was. The stories about being in the band were kind of dark to me, but also generic, like talking about how he cheated on his girlfriend on tour. I did like that he narrated his own story, which made it feel authentic.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love memoirs about the glory days of artists' lives so this was fun. The narration takes a while to get used to but I did get used to his monotonous voice as it went on, and he did get more animated as the book went on so it was more enjoyable. I didn’t know much about the Ramones though I have listened to their music and I enjoyed learning more about them. An enjoyable story with some interesting anecdotes.

I received a copy from #NetGalley and #RBMedia for an honest review.

[Books Over People · Rating 4 out of 5]

No idea how this popped up on Net Galley as I see it was published years ago, but I am certainly pleased that it did. The Ramones mean a lot to me. I know they had a contentious relationship with each other. While my Markey is by far, my favorite drummer, I always liked Richie's records. I thought he gave them the boost they needed. He kept them going, and much like CJ, he infused them with something that they needed at the right time. He deserves to be in the HOF.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read other books about the Ramones, including the autobiographies by Johnny and Marky, then I thought it was time to get the story of Richie from the man himself. He was only with them for about five years, but still an important part of the band's history and I fully understand his reason for leaving. One to add to your collection of Ramones books.

Ray Smillie

[Mikey James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a little expensive to buy but had to be bought to add to my Ramones book collection. That being said, it was worth every penny! Straight to the point and we'll written. It showed a new side to the Ramones that wasn't bitching about the other members or whiny. It was nice to read how Richie got to be a Ramone and hear his side of things. Definitely worth a read!

[Jason Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Ramones fan this book is a must read!

[patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad Richie wrote his story. It is shameful how he is glossed over in the memoirs written by other Ramones, as well as not being recognized as a Ramone in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

[Anthony Curia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ive now read most of the Ramones biographies and whatever other diaries, tour info, novels, critic reviews, honestly anything I can get my hands on. I have to say this book is likely one of my favorites. The beginning spent a lot of time pre-Ramones that was a bit slow for me at first but once he started to spend more time in NYC things got really interesting for me.

Personally as a huge Ramones fan I have always loved later era Ramones and find it a shame that more people dont enjoy that time period from the band. "I Know Better Now" has actually been my favorite Ramones song for the past 8 or so years so when I learned Richie wrote it I became much more interested in his time with the band. Finally in 2024 I learned of this book and grabbed a copy. He seems to tell it all how it is and how it was, reading each of the Ramones books is always great coz you can try and piece together the puzzling history of the band and the exaggerations each member have added to their recollection of how things were. This book and Montys tour diary read to me as likely being the most honest and vulnerable vision of the Ramones.