By Gordon Durich
(The Hollywood Times) 8/20/25 – Raghunath aka Ray Cappo, from the bands Youth Of Today and Shelter wrote his memoir titled “From Punk to Monk: A Memoir.” As the author of a book about spiritual exploration, it resonated with me.
The book follows Cappo at the height of his popularity, leaving Youth of Today and heads to India. Ray Cappo transcends from punk artist who becomes Monk Raghunath after spending time in ashrams and holy places the world over.
What ensues is the confluence of two opposite spheres, hardcore punk rock and spirituality. Ray Cappo had a history as a punk singer and pioneer of the straight-edge movement, in New York City’s Lower East Side. His band Youth of Today packed clubs and had a global following.
Despite the popularity of fans and the band’s records, Ray felt stagnant. He yearned for more in his life.
Another major catalyst in Cappo’s life was his father’s untimely death. He quit the band and bought a one-way ticket to India, in pursuit of the answers to the great mysteries of life.
As a monk living in Vrindavan, the sacred city- and travel by train to other parts of India- saw “Raghunath” embrace its rich spiritual culture.
Cappo became Raghunath in 1991, representing initiation into lineage and a rebirth.
Books about spirituality and such have become very popular, especially when it comes to transformation and transcendence. Witness Shirley Maclaine’s success as an author after a lifetime as a movie star.
Cappo was inspired to write music again, and returned to America, where he and other monks founded the band Shelter, dedicated to spreading a message of faith, love and hope.
I enjoyed this book very much, told with warmth and humor and this heartfelt chronicle of emotional and spirituality. It showed how one man’s transformation can influence many. And how powerful belief and faith can be, when we are ready for a shift in consciousness. It aligns with spirituality, new thought, and religion in different forms. I always thought a church had to have a big cross and pews stuffed with bibles. Church, religion, spirituality are more than bricks and mortar. It’s the internal faith that matters more. Quite often we cannot explain what draws us to the search for something more. A higher power. God. Prayer and contemplation.
The Foreword in “From Punk To Monk” by Moby, a favorite musician of mine, further validated this need to read. Rich Roll described it as “…proving that keeping your heart and mind open can radically transform your life. “Others who raved about it include Krishna Das, Radhanath Swami, Turnstile drummer Daniel Fang and Goldfinger singer/guitarist “Feldy” Feldmann, who described Cappo as a “Hardcore legend.”
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/207901619-autobiography-of-a-believer
