Yes! Melnicks!!!

I always wondered what a Melnick was. I remember seeing the “I wanna be Sedated” video and someone was holding up a “No Melnicks!” sign. It wasn’t until I read the fantastic book “On the Road with the Ramones” that I figured out what a Melnick is. Monte A. Melnick was the Ramones tour manager for almost all  of the Ramones 2,263 shows.  He had his hands full dealing with Joey’s OCD, Dee Dee’s Bi-polar behavior, Johnny’s over-the-top authoritarian attiude, Marky’s early love of the bottle as well as all the roadies, promoters, fans and the venue halls. It must of have been a crazy life. Monte had to keep control of things and a result the Ramones and the roadies started the “No Melnicks!!” campaign. They would torment Monte with it. As well as being in the “I wanna be Sedated” Video, in the “Pet Sematary” video there is a grave stone with “Melnick” on it. Monte took the good natured ribbing in stride as he worked with the Ramones all around the world!

            Monte’s book about his experience with the Ramones is the best book I have ever read about the Ramones!!!!! Most books seem to be written by someone who somewhat knew the band, or by just someone who researched them, but Monte was there every step of the way! But what truly makes this book fantastic, is that he interviews all the people around them at the time and adds different peoples perspectives on the same incident. It’s truly an unbiased, well-written, I-can’t-put-it-down book. Every Ramones fan must read this book. After reading it, I not only knew what a Melnick was, but gained a whole lot of respect for Monte. Every night after practice we always raise our beer glasses high and give out a great big “Yes! Melnicks!!!!”

For more info on Monte’s book
http://www.myspace.com/ontheroadwiththeramones

To purchase the book from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Road-Ramones-revised-Monte-Melnick/dp/1847721036/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228219315&sr=8-1