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.

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.

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.

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.

Listening to ‘I Know Better Now’ as an audiobook, especially with Richie Ramone himself narrating, brings the story to life in a powerful and deeply personal way. His voice adds a raw authenticity and passion that enhances every moment — from the punk-rock chaos of the stage to the introspective reflections on fame, identity, and resilience.

The book is an engaging read (or listen), and it offers something many Ramones fans waited decades for: Richie’s side of the story. For years, he was the enigma — the drummer who burst onto the scene in 1983, injected fresh energy into a struggling band, wrote and sang some now-iconic tracks, and then disappeared just as quickly. This memoir definitely fills in the blanks.

Richie and co-author Peter Aaron do a fantastic job weaving together the story of his upbringing, his love of music, and his relentless drive to become a better drummer. The technical insights into his craft — how he built his speed and endurance, his drumming style, and the physical and mental discipline it took — are fascinating, especially for musicians or fans of the genre.

Beyond the music, what really stands out is Richie’s honesty. He doesn’t shy away from the conflicts within the Ramones or the challenges he faced after leaving the band. The self-awareness he brings, particularly in looking back at choices made and lessons learned, is both refreshing and heartfelt.

Whether you’re a hardcore Ramones fan or simply someone, like me, who loves a good behind-the-scenes rock memoir, ‘I Know Better Now’ is a compelling, energetic, and deeply human story.

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.

Fans of The Ramones and music junkies in general won't want to miss this captivating book. Written by Richie Ramone about his life and time in one of the most popular Punk Rock groups of our time, it gives readers incredible insight to the internal strife experienced between the members, the explosive arguments, the highs and lows of being in limelight.

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.

Fun read which focuses mostly on how he got to the Ramones, what he did while he was with them, and after he left.