Interview with Ramones' only tour manager, Monte A. Melnick | The Rockman Power Hour #92

[@OfficialMickeyLeigh]

"hey mickey, i read your book and loved it. it really meant so much to me, because i've been diagnosed with 15 mental illnesses in my short 17 years. they basically told me i was hopeless. Reading your book gave me so much hope knowing that joey was someone just like me - who was written off as damaged and hopeless, but overcame, felt like i was reading a part of my story. i love that it was written from your point of view. i'm the oldest and my best friend is my little sister but i watched her hurt as i pushed her away. reading your book really showed me her side. after i read that book, we had a really good honest conversation we otherwise wouldn't have had. i just really wanted to thank you for what you've written. i know its touched a lot of people. thank you mickey, from the bottom of my heart. ~Julie." i've received hundreds of letter like this since that book came out. obviously, a film would reach - and help - so many more people. that was my purpose of writing it. and keeping it real about how brothers and sisters can fight and hurt each other, and how if the love is there they'll come together and it's a beautiful thing. music can make magical things happen & this girl was/is a Ramones fan but, believe it or not, when people reach a perilous low point apparently there are things that can be more helpful, and more of a factor in their lives than a rock band. i'm not in competition with Monte, or anyone to make a Ramones movie. They're totally different stories. toward the end, it seemed you were almost saying that yourself and understood that. if you do, then you'll understand that the story i wrote about me and my brother is nothing like a Ramones story. the book is in libraries and - again, believe it or not - i've gotten letters from people saying they only learned about the Ramones after reading it. Though his band, and his talent, was tremendously significant to his survival, I intentionally made the Ramones only a peripheral part of Joey's overall plight so that more people could relate to it. or relate it to themselves. it could be something other than becoming a singer in a famous rock band which becomes the vehicle that raises them from their depths. a lot of Ramones fans don't seem to get that. I don't believe the reason John's wife is suing me, and trying to kill that movie is because it's a "Ramones biopic". It's not. If that story can help people, why would anyone want to kill it?

[@raphaele2367]

Great interview! Glad you guys brought up the topic about why it should be Monte and not Mickeys book that should have a movie made.

[@thehorrorlife7190]

Thank you!!!! Great interview. I tell you one thing, when I seen the Ramones live in the 90’s it was the absolute greatest out of body experience I’ve ever experienced from the 450+ shows I went to. Just so amazing

[@therockmanpowerhour]

Thank you!

[@guzzfuzzz]

Amazing interview! Thank you so much!! You guys made my day!!!

[@therockmanpowerhour]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carlborman5165]

Wow!!!! Thanks❤

[@therockmanpowerhour]

thanks!

[@BBfanfun]

as a pioneer Punk band , they survived the '80s (against currents of glossy pop-rock) they signed to Sire ( giving the label - punk - street cred) when they could have signed to Epitaph ...

[@therockmanpowerhour]

:)

[@SeasonXero]

YESSSS!

[@therockmanpowerhour]

:)

[@deathbrodigital]

✊🏾

[@therockmanpowerhour]

:)