Jake Fogelnest: In Conversation With Monte A Melnick. RAMONES TOUR MANAGER (1974-1996)

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The Ramones played 2,263 shows over 22 years. Monte was there for all of them. Growing up in Forest Hills, Queens and going all the way back to Junior High with Tommy Ramone and then Forest Hills High School with Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and Tommy, Monte A. Melnick was a part of every piece of Ramones history. From the earliest shows for friends to their final performance in 1996. Their longtime tour manager chats with me in celebration of the release of his AMAZING book, “On The Road with The Ramones: Bonus Edition.”
Monte’s book is essential reading for every Ramones fan and the new Bonus Edition adds 40 more pages.
I spoke with Monte about his incredible journey with the Ramones. From dealing with Joey’s OCD, why Clem Burke was only Elvis Ramone for two shows, to getting Dee Dee in the bus on time and Johnny’s rigorous commitment to rehearsing before every show. All 2,263 of them. We even talk about Richie Ramone and why he left so abruptly and C.J. Ramone being a former Marine, ready to do battle every night in the band,
Monte was there every day.
It took 30 years for the Ramones first album to sell 500,000 copies. The “I Wanna Be Sedated” single JUST went platinum this year.
We think about the Ramones legacy and their contribution to music which is enormous, but the truth is this: they never sold any records. To this day, they still haven’t sold many records. They HAVE sold many T-shirts. We also talk about the man who designed them, Arturo Vega.
The truth is, the Ramones were a TOURING BAND. They made their money ON THE ROAD. The man who was on the road with them for every show was Monte A. Melnick.
You’ll want to pick up a copy of Monte’s book, On The Road with the Ramones: Bonus Edition over at Amazon: www.amazon.com/Road-Ramones-B...
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[@timwildes8082]

Great interview. Love everything by the mighty Ramones. Still need Monte's book.

[@lamper2]

21:06 Joey took vocal lessons? really? who from? When i see that Night Flight shirt I wish i could find that fantastic NEW FILMAKER'S CONTEST WINNERS 3 films-I want the film about the bookstore shoplifter that had the music soundtrack that sounded like Django Renhardt. Anyone remember that? The actual first place winner wasn't as good. Maybe you could interview Mike Chapman for insight into how he made Blondie MAKE RADIO HITS! because they weren't so great live at the time while many other bands who were awesome live all choked in a studio setting.