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

The Ramones were in a downward spiral in 1982, and Richie Ramone was brought in to revitalize the band. He composed classic cuts and became the only Ramones percussionist to sing lead vocals. He performed over five hundred shows and recorded three albums before abruptly quitting the band. His story has remained a mystery until now, with I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During, and After the Ramones providing a firsthand account of his life in rock 'n' roll.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2018
Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation

In 1982, the Ramones were in a dire situation. After a series of inconsistent albums and internal conflicts, the legendary quartet was on the verge of collapse. Enter Richie Ramone, a 26-year-old drummer from New Jersey. He was recruited by the group to become their new drummer and quickly rose from the underground club scene to become a member of the most famous punk-rock band of all time, the Ramones. With his powerful, precise, and blindingly fast beats, Richie revitalized the band with classic cuts like "Somebody Put Something in My Drink" and became the only Ramones percussionist to sing lead vocals for the group. Over the next few years, Richie performed over five hundred shows worldwide and recorded three studio albums with the Ramones. However, in 1986, he abruptly quit the band and disappeared into the underground. To most fans, Richie remained a mystery, his tale untold. Until now. "I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During, and After the Ramones" is the firsthand, four-on-the-floor account of Richie's life in rock 'n' roll and his time with the Ramones. It is written by Richie himself and provides a unique insight into the man behind the drums. In the book, Richie recounts his early life in New Jersey, his early musical influences, and his journey to becoming a professional drummer. He describes the challenges of being in a band with such a strong personality as Joey Ramone and the creative process that went into writing the Ramones' songs. Richie also shares his experiences of touring with the band, including the highs and lows of life on the road. One of the most interesting aspects of the book is Richie's relationship with Joey Ramone. The two had a complex relationship, with Richie often feeling like an outsider in the band. However, Richie also credits Joey with teaching him a lot about music and life. Richie's departure from the Ramones was a shock to many fans. He had been a key part of the band's success and had become a beloved member of the punk-rock community. However, Richie explains that he was unhappy with the direction the band was going and wanted to pursue his own musical interests. After leaving the Ramones, Richie went deep underground, performing in small clubs and recording music on his own. He eventually emerged in the early 2000s with a new band, Richie Ramone's Blitzkrieg. The band's music was a mix of punk rock and hard rock, and it received critical acclaim. Richie's story is a fascinating one, and "I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During, and After the Ramones" is a must-read for any fan of rock 'n' roll or the Ramones. Richie's honesty and vulnerability make the book a compelling read, and his insights into the music industry are invaluable. In conclusion, Richie Ramone's story is a fascinating one, and "I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During, and After the Ramones" is a must-read for any fan of rock 'n' roll or the Ramones. Richie's honesty and vulnerability make the book a compelling read, and his insights into the music industry are invaluable.

Weight: 690g
Dimension: 232 x 166 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781617137105