Fair assessment. And that is coming from me a rabid Bowie admirer. Bowie continued to do amazing work but when he canned the Spiders that guitar sound was startlingly missing
@@polygoncreatures4045 So, could you hear the Spiders from Mars playing on the albums Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, Station to Station, Low, Heros, Lodger, Scarry Monsters and Super Creeps, Let's Dance and so on and being SUITED to THOSE albums? . .. I couldn't.
Mick Ronson was and remains my favourite guitarist of them all. By way of example - the opening riff on *Cracked Actor* is so thrilling it feels like your skin is being stripped in real time. RIP Mr. Ronson, and eternal thanks for all you gave us.
That masterpiece, arrangement, and composition ('Cracked Actor') blows my mind year after year (I'm 70 yrs old) from the day I purchased the album in 1973 and saw him perform live at the Long Beach Arena. A masterpiece 'Cracked Actor' and the whole set of compositions performed by the master.
I saw Mick Ronson with Ian Hunter in the late 80’s in Ft.Lauderdale in a dive bar that had only a couple hundred people .Mick and Ian were at a table outside hanging out during the opening band when I had a chance to tell them how much I appreciate their music.Never forget meeting them.
There used to be a live concert film of him on TH-cam playing the solo from Moonage Daydream. It went on forever and was unbelievable! I guess it was taken down for some reason because I never saw it again. Maybe I was having a moonage daydream of my own and it never existed!
Absolutely! Moonage Daydream is one of my all-time favorite tunes, and Mick's work on it flat-out nailed it! Suggestion for another vid: The late great Tommy Bolin.
All the cool kids recited the lyrics. I recited the guitar. First time I heard John I'm only dancing on the radio I don't think I listened to a word a teacher said at school for about two weeks
Now try Roxy Music, their Phil Manzanera is as good as anyone: give ‘Amazon’s’ on their 3rd LP ‘Stranded’ though their masterpiece is ‘For Your Pleasure’ on which try ‘Strictly Confidential’ to sample this guitar genius.
Absolutely bloody genius...amazing guy. I’ve always been grateful that the one good thing that came out of the tragic loss of Freddie Mercury was seeing Mick back up on stage with David Bowie and Ian Hunter at Freddie’s memorial concert. That Mick passed away not too long after that was just a shock, and heartbreaking...Ronson also was instrumental on Lou Reed’s Transformer..a classic album.
"The Prettiest Star" ending riff , on Aladdin Sane. Has all the hallmarks of a virtuoso, which without doubt Mick was. The word underrated was invented for Mick.
Mick Ronson should never be forgotten. Mick was a superlative musician. I feel that David Bowie always regretted that he distanced himself from Mick, and that he never gave Mick the accolades he deserved for the work he put into David's music in the early years. Mick really did make David the star he became. David owed Mick.
Mick was the whole package...outstanding guitarist and absolutely fabulous-looking and smart and humble. He and Bowie together were unmatched! Great job you did!
Gone but never forgotten. So many great moments on so many great records. The solo on Ian Hunter's 'Cleveland Rocks' - he tears through it - clean as a whistle - 20 seconds of magic. So understated he created perfection. 'Play don't worry' - the incredible 'Angel no. 9' intro and the glorious cat-fight version of 'White light/White heat'. Ellen Folley's 'Young Lust', Hunter's 'Wings', Bowie's 'the Jean Genie' - Mick's the foundation - tight, clean and powerful. Ronno became locked in as my number 1 for one tiny note on Ian's 'Welcome to the Club'. During the great 'Irene Wilde' he plucks a single string, a highlight momemt to mark the lyric and that's it! Nothing else - who does that? So sublime. Such quality and talent.
Mick Ronson is an apt kickoff to your Forgotten Fretmasters series. Very seminal player and top tier arranger virtually unknown to the current general public. Great choice.
Producer Bob Rock tells a story that Ronson was brought in on his band The Payolas, and he attributed the success of "Eyes of a Stranger" to Mick's ability to pick out the "hit" in all the demo tapes. The song also appeared in the movie "Valley Girl"
This is SO VERY BEAUTIFUL. I have read that Mick was one of the nicest, kindest people in the industry. I believe that the stage and memorial guitar sculpture in Hull are there, due in large part, to Mick's younger sister, Margaret's (Maggie) hard work. She deeply loved her brother. Ronson did SO MUCH for those with whom he worked - and sadly, did not receive the accolades that he deserved for all of his creativity, hard work and discipline in the form of getting further musical education - particularly around music arrangement. I think he should have received much more recognition than he got during his short life. No, he was not the "fastest" man on the fretboard, but oh my goodness, could he play with feeling and expression! But yes, he COULD be fast. Listen to his solo on Bowie's "Pinups" album on "Shapes of Things". And my favorite blistering guitar work of his is on "Angel #9" on his "Play Don't Worry" album. For such beautiful playing with feeling and expression, listen to his live version of "I'd Give Anything to See You." Mick's sister Maggie and his daughter Lisa recorded and album in his honor. It is so very beautiful. We are all the richer for having lived when Mick Ronson did. THANK YOU so much for choosing Mick for your program. Best wishes.
Killer job on this Mick Ronson doc! I became a fan in the Ziggy days as a callow youth in my early 20s and was mesmerized not only by his great musical talents but also his classic rock star looks (and that bad ass Gibson Les Paul!) What a great player and humble man who was absolutely a living legend!🎸R.I.P.
I was fortunate enough to see Bowie and Ronson at Winterland in SF during their Ziggy tour. It was amazing! While Bowie was totally captivating, Ronson was just as much so. It would have been impossible to separate them. Thank you, for making this video as Ronson well deserves his place in rock history.
Thanks for acknowledging Mick - I really enjoyed this - true for all my Bowie fandom - I always make sure to let people know that Mick was one of the greatest guitar players!! I don't want him forgotten!!
Thanks for sharing that. Funnily enough, I had an urge to listen to Transformer yesterday which I picked up on Ebay for about a tenner. I had no idea that Mick Ronson was involved in it.
On the song Ziggy Stardust (my favorite) you can hear him absolutely playing for the song. Power chords, fast choppy rhythms, growling LP melody lines behind the verses and the spacy intermittent sounds here and there. Very gifted musician. Great player. 🎸
This research and backstory is a gift - thank you! I loved the Hunter-Ronson Band era as well with 2 guys who were kind of stuck in mid-career crises...but came together to make something really special. Play Don't Worry !
I want to thank you for giving Mick Ronson his proper due. His musical ear and arranging talent brought many musicians much more success than they could have achieved without him. I would go so far as to say he taught David Bowie a lot about music and formed David’s writing until his death. Mick had a tremendous influence on me as a young guitarist and to this day, I think of the electric guitar as an orchestral instrument in modern music, seldom motivated to ‘take a solo’. A towering talent for the ages.
Mick as your first forgotten fretmasters is the perfect opener, he is one of my most favorite guitarist. I was lucky enough to see Ronson and the Spiders with Bowie at the Hollywood Palladium for the Aladdin sane tour. Changed my life forever...Mick is a true musical treasure and without him Bowie is not jettison into such fame and success.
Wow I didn't know they played the Palladium! The Civic in Oct 72, I knew that, but I guess they came through LA at least one more time. I saw many big bands at the Palladium including the Kinks and the Smiths in the 80s. It was a legit place to play. In the 70s many big acts would play the Starwood, Troubadour, Roxy, Ice House- - all clubs - - in addition to smaller venues like the Civic. At some point the Civic shut down and that had been the mid-size 3500 seat type venue, so from there it was, what, the Sports Arena, Universal, Forum? Even Universal went from that cozy outdoor bowl to a much bigger indoor house. Hollywood Bowl is still a lovely venue but pretty big. House of Blues was a nice house of several hundred souls, like the Palladium, but that's long gone, too. Funny my first "show" was at the Palladium in maybe 1966 or 67 when my Dad took me to the Teenage Fair to see the Batmobile! Can't get more rock n roll than that!
@@harveycan5820 I didn't really know much about Bowie except Space Oddity, my friend called me and I asked I wanted to see him and thankfully I said yes. The Civic was a great spot, I also saw the Kinks a couple of times. School Boys in Disgrace tour....great venue indeed
@Howard Anderson - The glorious Mick Ronson was irreplaceable. But there's no doubt that Bowie was always going to Bowie no matter who he played with! Sorry, Bowie was just that good. Even Ronson and other Spiders knew he was the man to be around because he was obviously going somewhere.
Love learning about artists like this who are unknown to me but whose music is part of the soundtrack of my youth and coming of age. Ziggy remains a favorite recording that is still vital and interesting to listen to after all these years. I only wish I could have caught them in concert on one of those tours in the 70's.
One of the first records I remember dad bringing home was Man Who Sold the World .. I was hooked. Mick had an incredible style of combining lead and rhythm into a seamless composition. One of the very best
Thanks for this. This bloke just oozed charisma. He played with panache. The solo on Ian Hunter's 'The Truth, the whole truth, nuthin' but the truth' is a masterclass in restrained fury/frustration.
Mick! is undoubtedly 1 of the greatest musicians ever his live playing on the movie Spiders is unequal. THAT BAND was awesome! but Micks playing his look stage presence all together spelled Rock Star. Had all the talent and most importantly he was humble.
Too humble i’m afraid. Ian Hunter was practically the only one who supported him during his illness. Ronson was one of the first one mentioned when talking about great guitarists but when it came to give him the recognicion he deserved he got left behind.
His guitar playing is absolutely fantastic. Ronson was right there at Dylan's career high point. He is easy to spot, he is the only person with unnatural hair color - within a group of hippies. He hides in the back. I have Dylan's Rolling Thunder Review in my car and I kept hearing this fantastic guitar playing. I had to find out who it was, this is how I learned about Mick Ronson.
I saw the Rolling Thunder Review in 78 over in Nuremberg Ha Ha The King Jew at Hitler's big address ceremony location it was awesome 😎 Lots of big name artists at that show Good stuff 👍
If you haven't heard the version of "Madman Across the Water" that Ronno played on it's incredible. Ronson nails it. It was recorded in '70 during the "Tumbleweed Connection" sessions. It wasn't even released until '93. Absolutely blew me away. The song became the title track of the next record but it wasn't the Ronno version.
Great video. Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge Mick's enormous talent. His contribution to some of the finest music of that era must never be forgotten. One slight criticism though, you left out his work on Lou Reed's 'Transformer'. Lou himself credits Ronno with a greater influence on that album than Bowie, and his string arrangement on 'Perfect Day' rivals that of 'Life on Mars'. Ronson was undoubtedly a major talent and it's a sin he didn't get the recognition he deserved during his lifetime. Whilst he may not have had the virtuosity of other great guitarists, that growling sound he developed was iconic and instantly recognizable. For me, some of his best guitar work can be heard on the Ian Hunter debut album and on the track 'Lounge Lizard' in particular.
@@TheGuitarHistorian Yeah, mention it at least. There was a whole section on John Cougar, so a brief mention of Lou Reed in passing would have been nice. And then can plug the Transformer show. :). But appreciate that you did Ronno and started the series with him! The work with Bowie was supreme but under-appreciated at the time and since that time. Jimmy Page and Steve Howe etc got the accolades, but the playing (and arranging) by Mick was so powerful, expressive, melodic... He wasn't going for flash, but was hearing the guitar as part of a composition, as another voice, not just a speed riff. Most point to Moonage Daydream, but I like the stuff on MWSTW... The solos on Width of A Circle and Black Country Rock are just so mind-bending... Thanks for the info on Ian Hunter and Cougar, though. That was cool.
@@harveycan5820 Beautiful comments! "Width of a Circle" - oh man, what gorgeous lead guitar. Also love the feedback at the very first moment of the song.
Thankyou for that. Mick Ronson has been in my top 5 "I hate lists" musicians. You giving him the well deserved credit for his composing and arranging means alot. He and Bowie were magical, and for Bowie not giving Mick Ronson any credit is very confusing to me. I love David Bowie's music, and like many others his music helped me in time of "sorrow" as well in times of great pleasure in my youth. This was because those two were in tune with one another. Let us not forget what a phenomenal Guitarist Mick Was. Today, all you hear about is this guitarist X is great, man he can Shred. We've lost the soul in Rock.
Melody. They’ve lost melody and the passion for melody. It’s become a speed contest of technical ability to the point of being no different from the next.
@@Epistrat22 One reason for Jeff Beck being so brilliant as well as Ronson's own hero. It's why the Wallington Wizard features in P.A Pennebaker's film though excised on released (you can SEE that Bec(k is cooking up storm but the sound quality is atrocious!).
Please do one of these for Rory Gallagher. I feel he is often overlooked these days but was a total legend and did it for the love of playing live music.
Agreed. Very underrated. He should have been huge but is really only known to other guitarists (at least here in the U.S.). He should have been as big as Johnny Winter or Stevie Ray Vaughn.
love your show, it brings back so many memories as I'm 61 yr old Aussie and grew up with all this amazing music. And yes many I have forgotten about; and have now downloaded from spotify to my collection love your show, and so informative
My fave guitar player ever. Also worked with Elton John, Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Roger McGuinn, Van Morrison, Graham Parker, Morrissey and dozens of other people. Refused to tour with Rod Stewart and Bob Seger. A true genius
Great feature on one of the best in Rock History. Thanks for all the info on stuff I didn't know about him, even after having read his biography book. He was such a nice guy; in the early 1980's he actually agreed to listen to our NYC band's song demo and met us in NYC's Pete's Tavern for drinks to discuss it. Who else of his stature in Rock & Roll would do such a thing for unknown aspiring young guys like us? I can't imagine there are many. Rest in Peace, Mick. And thanks again to you, GH, for this very informative and entertaining video!
Thanks for putting this together. Ronson gets far less attention than he deserves. I met him briefly in a guitar shop in Denmark Street in the early 80s. I was about 16 at the time and he could not have been nicer. I played a half arsed version of his solo from Starman and took the guitar and played it perfectly. Very fond memory. Lovely guy.
@@garymorgan3314 Yes I had forgotten that Denmark Street was the UKs Tin Pan Alley. It's easy to forget other countries sometines don't get our references.
As an old guitarist and Ronson fan, I appreciate this. Well done Brother! I too always mention Mick Ronson whenever I share my own influences and samples of their expertise with folks who've been too pop for too long. Thank you. Keep up the great work.
Never forget staggering into a bar in Thailand owned by a guy from Hull with a big picture of Ronno up on the wall,great musician shame Bowie/Ronson wasn't mentioned the same as plant/page Jagger/Richards
I don’t think I would have ever picked up a guitar if I hadn’t heard Mick’s playing. My older sister brought home Ziggy Stardust. I was amazed. Then, shopping in a K-mart with my mom and dad I found the Man Who Sold the World in the cutout bin. I think it was $2.99. I begged them to let me buy it. We got back to the house and I listen with my headphones and was completely blown away. He is by far one of the most underrated musicians of all time. This was a great piece that really points that out. Thanks for doing that.
Outstanding episode. I had the great delight of meeting Mick Ronson before he played a small club gig with Ian Hunter in the town where I lived. This would have been about 1986. I was an enormous Bowie fan, and it was a real pleasure to meet Mick, whose work I had long admired. He was a genius.
Mick Ronson used a Tone Bender and was one of the original big name people to use one. That's how he got his fuzz tone and I don't think it was just the cocked wah. If you don't know about the history of Tone Benders it's a really rich and fascinating story.
Superb...so important that Mick is recognised...as a fan from Yorkshire it has always been a huge pride that a man from my County could be such an influential part of the greatest music ever made. As you can guess I’m a huge Bowie fan but equally am a huge Mick Ronson fan who also produced an album by Morrissey which is in my mind his greatest! Thank you for a wonderful post!
Some years ago I turned on the radio and a voice came out talking about Mick Ronson and what an amazing arranger and composer he was. It took me a while to realise that the voice I could hear extolling Ronson's skill and creativity was Rick Wakeman. That is praise indeed.
It’s amazing how many times the Les Paul/cocked wah/Marshall sound has been forgotten and rediscovered as innovative. Not only was it key to Mick’s sound, but it was to the early Boston guitar tone, and to Slash’s guitar tone.
Mick Ronson has been my favorite guitarist since the early 70s. I bought Play Don’t Worry in the morning one day and liked it so much I went out that afternoon and bought Slaughter on Tenth Avenue.
Let’s not forget that Mick Ronson also produced Lou Reeds album Transformer, alongside Bowie. Ronson provided those string arrangements in Perfect day and Satellite of Love.
How fitting that you should feature Mick on the first episode - saw him every time he came to Glasgow with Bowie - on his own and with Ian Hunter - I had the pleasure of meeting him here in Glasgow - he was a genuine great guy - he was the sound of Ziggy - he gave Bowie his sound - responsible for arrangements - outstanding guitarist - he was a genius who allowed Bowie to develop to near genius - my favourite guitarist of all time - check out Angel No 9 live on OGWT - sadly missed - thank you for creating this.
Thanks man, that was awesome! Mick was a huge influence on so many players, Randy Rhoads being one of them. your right, us hardcore players will neve forget Mick or Randy.
Mick Ronson was the sound of the Ziggy Stardust records. Period.
He was brilliant in all he touched played and arranged
Fair assessment. And that is coming from me a rabid Bowie admirer. Bowie continued to do amazing work but when he canned the Spiders that guitar sound was startlingly missing
100%
I wouldn't say "period". Like, there was also the excellent keyboard work of Rick Wakeman and Mike Garson.
@@polygoncreatures4045 So, could you hear the Spiders from Mars playing on the albums Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, Station to Station, Low, Heros, Lodger, Scarry Monsters and Super Creeps, Let's Dance and so on and being SUITED to THOSE albums? . .. I couldn't.
Mick Ronson was and remains my favourite guitarist of them all. By way of example - the opening riff on *Cracked Actor* is so thrilling it feels like your skin is being stripped in real time.
RIP Mr. Ronson, and eternal thanks for all you gave us.
That opening on Crack'd Actor is stupendous, maybe my favorite intro ever...
That masterpiece, arrangement, and composition ('Cracked Actor') blows my mind year after year (I'm 70 yrs old) from the day I purchased the album in 1973 and saw him perform live at the Long Beach Arena. A masterpiece 'Cracked Actor' and the whole set of compositions performed by the master.
I saw Mick Ronson with Ian Hunter in the late 80’s in Ft.Lauderdale in a dive bar that had only a couple hundred people .Mick and Ian were at a table outside hanging out during the opening band when I had a chance to tell them how much I appreciate their music.Never forget meeting them.
I saw the early 80s version of The Ian Hunter band. 1500 seater in Dallas. One of the best rock shows I ever saw. And I saw a few. Truly phenominal.
❤
@@freeman436I saw them in Atlanta GA at the fox theater ❤❤kick ass live
Thank you for giving Mick Ronson the praise he deserved!
Micks solo at the end of moonage daydream is one of my all time favourites dripping with emotion
👍
Also performing it live in the movie (and album) Ziggy Stardust the Motion Picture. The last time The Spiders performed together
Its absolutely beautiful X
Yes
There used to be a live concert film of him on TH-cam playing the solo from Moonage Daydream. It went on forever and was unbelievable! I guess it was taken down for some reason because I never saw it again. Maybe I was having a moonage daydream of my own and it never existed!
I just discovered Mick Ronson. I never knew his impact. Mick you are one of the best. Thank you for all the music you have given us.
It was Mick Ronson’s guitar playing that made me a Bowie fan.
Same here 👍
Absolutely! Moonage Daydream is one of my all-time favorite tunes, and Mick's work on it flat-out nailed it! Suggestion for another vid: The late great Tommy Bolin.
Same here. His work on Pinups is the shit!
All the cool kids recited the lyrics. I recited the guitar. First time I heard John I'm only dancing on the radio I don't think I listened to a word a teacher said at school for about two weeks
Now try Roxy Music, their Phil Manzanera is as good as anyone: give ‘Amazon’s’ on their 3rd LP ‘Stranded’ though their masterpiece is ‘For Your Pleasure’ on which try ‘Strictly Confidential’ to sample this guitar genius.
Absolutely bloody genius...amazing guy. I’ve always been grateful that the one good thing that came out of the tragic loss of Freddie Mercury was seeing Mick back up on stage with David Bowie and Ian Hunter at Freddie’s memorial concert. That Mick passed away not too long after that was just a shock, and heartbreaking...Ronson also was instrumental on Lou Reed’s Transformer..a classic album.
Man nobody has forgotten Mick Ronson.
"The Prettiest Star" ending riff , on Aladdin Sane.
Has all the hallmarks of a virtuoso, which without doubt Mick was.
The word underrated was invented for Mick.
Mick Ronson should never be forgotten. Mick was a superlative musician. I feel that David Bowie always regretted that he distanced himself from Mick, and that he never gave Mick the accolades he deserved for the work he put into David's music in the early years. Mick really did make David the star he became. David owed Mick.
Mick was the whole package...outstanding guitarist and absolutely fabulous-looking and smart and humble. He and Bowie together were unmatched! Great job you did!
Mick was also a huge part of Lou Reeds Transformer album....piano, guitar, backing vocal arrangements...i love that one...Satellite of Love
Stay tuned. New series coming soon and first episode is about Transformer.
@@TheGuitarHistorian - That sounds great!
Look at how Bowie cocked up Raw Power and look at Transformer.. obvious Mick Ronson pit it all together
And Morrissey!
Plus retuning Lou's guitar, as Lou was so spaced out.
Thank you so much for bringing to the attention the incredible talent of Mick Ronson!!
Mick Ronson was a wonderfully gifted man. Guitarist, arranger and a great supporting player. Thanks for sharing his story
Mick Ronson's guitar work is what first attracted me to David Bowie's music.
Had no idea Ronson was such a well rounded musician, more than just an excellent guitar player👊
Gone but never forgotten. So many great moments on so many great records. The solo on Ian Hunter's 'Cleveland Rocks' - he tears through it - clean as a whistle - 20 seconds of magic. So understated he created perfection. 'Play don't worry' - the incredible 'Angel no. 9' intro and the glorious cat-fight version of 'White light/White heat'. Ellen Folley's 'Young Lust', Hunter's 'Wings', Bowie's 'the Jean Genie' - Mick's the foundation - tight, clean and powerful. Ronno became locked in as my number 1 for one tiny note on Ian's 'Welcome to the Club'. During the great 'Irene Wilde' he plucks a single string, a highlight momemt to mark the lyric and that's it! Nothing else - who does that? So sublime. Such quality and talent.
Mick Ronson is an apt kickoff to your Forgotten Fretmasters series. Very seminal player and top tier arranger virtually unknown to the current general public. Great choice.
Producer Bob Rock tells a story that Ronson was brought in on his band The Payolas, and he attributed the success of "Eyes of a Stranger" to Mick's ability to pick out the "hit" in all the demo tapes. The song also appeared in the movie "Valley Girl"
Mick was a legend. Simple as that.
@Busta Speeker Absolutely!
Absolutely!!!
Agreed.no.dought.
This is SO VERY BEAUTIFUL. I have read that Mick was one of the nicest, kindest people in the industry. I believe that the stage and memorial guitar sculpture in Hull are there, due in large part, to Mick's younger sister, Margaret's (Maggie) hard work. She deeply loved her brother. Ronson did SO MUCH for those with whom he worked - and sadly, did not receive the accolades that he deserved for all of his creativity, hard work and discipline in the form of getting further musical education - particularly around music arrangement. I think he should have received much more recognition than he got during his short life. No, he was not the "fastest" man on the fretboard, but oh my goodness, could he play with feeling and expression! But yes, he COULD be fast. Listen to his solo on Bowie's "Pinups" album on "Shapes of Things". And my favorite blistering guitar work of his is on "Angel #9" on his "Play Don't Worry" album. For such beautiful playing with feeling and expression, listen to his live version of "I'd Give Anything to See You." Mick's sister Maggie and his daughter Lisa recorded and album in his honor. It is so very beautiful. We are all the richer for having lived when Mick Ronson did. THANK YOU so much for choosing Mick for your program. Best wishes.
Killer job on this Mick Ronson doc! I became a fan in the Ziggy days as a callow youth in my early 20s and was mesmerized not only by his great musical talents but also his classic rock star looks (and that bad ass Gibson Les Paul!) What a great player and humble man who was absolutely a living legend!🎸R.I.P.
I drove past (or as near as I could do) the memorial just yesterday. A brilliant guitarist and is still remembered.
We need to get Mick into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Seconded
Great idea! How do we go about it?
@@iaincameron4867 Type in 'mick ronson hall of fame' into google and a couple of petitions should come up
How on earth is the great great Mick Ronson isn't in it already???
The rock and roll of
I was fortunate enough to see Bowie and Ronson at Winterland in SF during their Ziggy tour. It was amazing! While Bowie was totally captivating, Ronson was just as much so. It would have been impossible to separate them. Thank you, for making this video as Ronson well deserves his place in rock history.
Thanks for acknowledging Mick - I really enjoyed this - true for all my Bowie fandom - I always make sure to let people know that Mick was one of the greatest guitar players!! I don't want him forgotten!!
That comment gave me pleasure man!
Great to see this vid about Mick Ronson. He also was heavily involved in Lou Reed's Transformer Album. R.I.P. Ronno
His string arrangements on Perfect Day are perfection in my opinion.
Humble opinion
@@jds_guitar Yes Indeed Absolute Perfection
Thank you so very much for this. Mick is my favorite
Thanks for sharing that. Funnily enough, I had an urge to listen to Transformer yesterday which I picked up on Ebay for about a tenner. I had no idea that Mick Ronson was involved in it.
On the song Ziggy Stardust (my favorite) you can hear him absolutely playing for the song. Power chords, fast choppy rhythms, growling LP melody lines behind the verses and the spacy intermittent sounds here and there. Very gifted musician. Great player. 🎸
Yes he was pure magic 👏👏
Superb! ... Ronson can never get enough coverage and praise - James Honeyman Scott would be worth a shot!
This research and backstory is a gift - thank you! I loved the Hunter-Ronson Band era as well with 2 guys who were kind of stuck in mid-career crises...but came together to make something really special. Play Don't Worry !
I want to thank you for giving Mick Ronson his proper due. His musical ear and arranging talent brought many musicians much more success than they could have achieved without him. I would go so far as to say he taught David Bowie a lot about music and formed David’s writing until his death. Mick had a tremendous influence on me as a young guitarist and to this day, I think of the electric guitar as an orchestral instrument in modern music, seldom motivated to ‘take a solo’. A towering talent for the ages.
Great video. So nice to see Mick getting some love. He was a rock god if there ever was one.
Thank you for this well deserved tribute to Mick Ronson ❤🎸
You got me!!! I've been a Mick Ronson fan for decades. What a great tribute. VERY WELL DONE.
Mick as your first forgotten fretmasters is the perfect opener, he is one of my most favorite guitarist. I was lucky enough to see Ronson and the Spiders with Bowie at the Hollywood Palladium for the Aladdin sane tour. Changed my life forever...Mick is a true musical treasure and without him Bowie is not jettison into such fame and success.
Wow I didn't know they played the Palladium! The Civic in Oct 72, I knew that, but I guess they came through LA at least one more time. I saw many big bands at the Palladium including the Kinks and the Smiths in the 80s. It was a legit place to play. In the 70s many big acts would play the Starwood, Troubadour, Roxy, Ice House- - all clubs - - in addition to smaller venues like the Civic. At some point the Civic shut down and that had been the mid-size 3500 seat type venue, so from there it was, what, the Sports Arena, Universal, Forum? Even Universal went from that cozy outdoor bowl to a much bigger indoor house. Hollywood Bowl is still a lovely venue but pretty big. House of Blues was a nice house of several hundred souls, like the Palladium, but that's long gone, too.
Funny my first "show" was at the Palladium in maybe 1966 or 67 when my Dad took me to the Teenage Fair to see the Batmobile! Can't get more rock n roll than that!
@@harveycan5820 I didn't really know much about Bowie except Space Oddity, my friend called me and I asked I wanted to see him and thankfully I said yes.
The Civic was a great spot, I also saw the Kinks a couple of times. School Boys in Disgrace tour....great venue indeed
Space Odddity came out in'69 but wasnt a hit inthe US until1974.
@Howard Anderson - The glorious Mick Ronson was irreplaceable. But there's no doubt that Bowie was always going to Bowie no matter who he played with! Sorry, Bowie was just that good. Even Ronson and other Spiders knew he was the man to be around because he was obviously going somewhere.
Just scored a clean copy of Ian Hunters debut album. Mick played guitar and produced. A true masterpiece.
Nice! Great album.
Mick Ronson’s guitar work was phenomenal on Bowie’s album The Man Who Sold the World.
Love learning about artists like this who are unknown to me but whose music is part of the soundtrack of my youth and coming of age. Ziggy remains a favorite recording that is still vital and interesting to listen to after all these years. I only wish I could have caught them in concert on one of those tours in the 70's.
I can't think of a better choice to kick off a series like this! I bet you'll find from the comments that Mick is nothing like "forgotten" too!
So glad you highlighted Mick Ronson, I was a huge fan of his "Slaughter on 10th Ave." album when I was at school.
One of the first records I remember dad bringing home was Man Who Sold the World .. I was hooked.
Mick had an incredible style of combining lead and rhythm into a seamless composition. One of the very best
Thank you for this look at Mick Ronson! I loved the guitar licks on Ziggy Stardust long before I learned that Mick was the genius behind that sound.
Mick was my Jimmy Page when I was a kid. Thanks for this insightful video.
Thanks for this. This bloke just oozed charisma. He played with panache. The solo on Ian Hunter's 'The Truth, the whole truth, nuthin' but the truth' is a masterclass in restrained fury/frustration.
I’m so glad to see my guitar hero Ronno get some recognition for his great talents. Nice one 🎸
Thank you for keeping his legacy alive
Mick! is undoubtedly 1 of the greatest musicians ever his live playing on the movie Spiders is unequal. THAT BAND was awesome! but Micks playing his look stage presence all together spelled Rock Star. Had all the talent and most importantly he was humble.
Too humble i’m afraid.
Ian Hunter was practically the only one who supported him during his illness. Ronson was one of the first one mentioned when talking about great guitarists but when it came to give him the recognicion he deserved he got left behind.
I echo all your comments. Saw the Ziggy S tour at Torquay Guildhall. Truly great gig.
Mick Ronson - Champion Legend VISIONARY RIP
His guitar playing is absolutely fantastic. Ronson was right there at Dylan's career high point. He is easy to spot, he is the only person with unnatural hair color - within a group of hippies. He hides in the back. I have Dylan's Rolling Thunder Review in my car and I kept hearing this fantastic guitar playing. I had to find out who it was, this is how I learned about Mick Ronson.
I saw the Rolling Thunder Review in 78 over in Nuremberg Ha Ha The King Jew at Hitler's big address ceremony location it was awesome 😎 Lots of big name artists at that show Good stuff 👍
Dylan recognized Talent
Fantastic photos. Look at all those iconic guitars that today are practically priceless.
When I think of Mick Ronson, I remember his performance with Ian Hunter at Rockpalast in Essen 1982. So great!
If you were there? Wild. Look around…there’s a TH-cam vid of Hunter and Ronno being interviewed backstage after that gig.
Brilliant! I grew up with Ziggy Stardust in the 70s. Ronson was a monster musician.
If you haven't heard the version of "Madman Across the Water" that Ronno played on it's incredible. Ronson nails it. It was recorded in '70 during the "Tumbleweed Connection" sessions. It wasn't even released until '93. Absolutely blew me away. The song became the title track of the next record but it wasn't the Ronno version.
Great video. Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge Mick's enormous talent. His contribution to some of the finest music of that era must never be forgotten. One slight criticism though, you left out his work on Lou Reed's 'Transformer'. Lou himself credits Ronno with a greater influence on that album than Bowie, and his string arrangement on 'Perfect Day' rivals that of 'Life on Mars'. Ronson was undoubtedly a major talent and it's a sin he didn't get the recognition he deserved during his lifetime. Whilst he may not have had the virtuosity of other great guitarists, that growling sound he developed was iconic and instantly recognizable. For me, some of his best guitar work can be heard on the Ian Hunter debut album and on the track 'Lounge Lizard' in particular.
You’re right I should’ve mentioned it but I cut it because I want to do a video just on Transformer
@@TheGuitarHistorian Yeah, mention it at least. There was a whole section on John Cougar, so a brief mention of Lou Reed in passing would have been nice. And then can plug the Transformer show. :).
But appreciate that you did Ronno and started the series with him! The work with Bowie was supreme but under-appreciated at the time and since that time. Jimmy Page and Steve Howe etc got the accolades, but the playing (and arranging) by Mick was so powerful, expressive, melodic... He wasn't going for flash, but was hearing the guitar as part of a composition, as another voice, not just a speed riff.
Most point to Moonage Daydream, but I like the stuff on MWSTW... The solos on Width of A Circle and Black Country Rock are just so mind-bending...
Thanks for the info on Ian Hunter and Cougar, though. That was cool.
@@harveycan5820 Beautiful comments! "Width of a Circle" - oh man, what gorgeous lead guitar. Also love the feedback at the very first moment of the song.
Thankyou for that. Mick Ronson has been in my top 5 "I hate lists" musicians. You giving him the well deserved credit for his composing and arranging means alot. He and Bowie were magical, and for Bowie not giving Mick Ronson any credit is very confusing to me. I love David Bowie's music, and like many others his music helped me in time of "sorrow" as well in times of great pleasure in my youth. This was because those two were in tune with one another. Let us not forget what a phenomenal Guitarist Mick Was. Today, all you hear about is this guitarist X is great, man he can Shred. We've lost the soul in Rock.
Melody. They’ve lost melody and the passion for melody. It’s become a speed contest of technical ability to the point of being no different from the next.
@@Epistrat22 fast typing isn't great writing
@@Epistrat22 One reason for Jeff Beck being so brilliant as well as Ronson's own hero. It's why the Wallington Wizard features in P.A Pennebaker's film though excised on released (you can SEE that Bec(k is cooking up storm but the sound quality is atrocious!).
Dude! Did you come up with that?
Thank you! Very informational.
My first real rock and roll love.
Strange days indeed.. Wow.😎
Gone, but NEVER forgotten.
Mick rocked. BIG TIME.
His guitar playing on the Moonage daydream live versions still blows me away, time after time.
Nice show! Buck Dharma comes to mind as a legend who's story might not be so well known to the masses.
Mick Ronson!! One of the Great Guitarists!! Thank You for sharing this with Us on the tube
Please do one of these for Rory Gallagher. I feel he is often overlooked these days but was a total legend and did it for the love of playing live music.
Yes! Jimi Hendrix’s favorite guitar player!👍😁
Agreed. Very underrated. He should have been huge but is really only known to other guitarists (at least here in the U.S.). He should have been as big as Johnny Winter or Stevie Ray Vaughn.
I second this motion
Roy Buchanan, too.
Ian Hunter gets a shout 😁
love your show, it brings back so many memories as I'm 61 yr old Aussie and grew up with all this amazing music. And yes many I have forgotten about; and have now downloaded from spotify to my collection love your show, and so informative
My fave guitar player ever. Also worked with Elton John, Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Roger McGuinn, Van Morrison, Graham Parker, Morrissey and dozens of other people. Refused to tour with Rod Stewart and Bob Seger. A true genius
And The Wildhearts and Joe Elliott
What was his trip with Bob Seger and Rod Stewart?
Great feature on one of the best in Rock History. Thanks for all the info on stuff I didn't know about him, even after having read his biography book. He was such a nice guy; in the early 1980's he actually agreed to listen to our NYC band's song demo and met us in NYC's Pete's Tavern for drinks to discuss it. Who else of his stature in Rock & Roll would do such a thing for unknown aspiring young guys like us? I can't imagine there are many. Rest in Peace, Mick. And thanks again to you, GH, for this very informative and entertaining video!
Ronson's piano on Lou Reeds Perfect Day is Classic.
Ronno's electric guitar simply crackled and popped with heart smacking energy and emotion....and always musical...great review !
The Width of a circle solo is outstanding, but seeing him with Bowie at the Fredie Mercury tribute with Bowie is the best thing I've seen.
glad to see someone who appreciates Mick publicly.
Mick Ronson’s guitar mastery is one of the main reasons I started listening to Bowie. Thanks for an interesting vid!
Thanks for putting this together. Ronson gets far less attention than he deserves. I met him briefly in a guitar shop in Denmark Street in the early 80s. I was about 16 at the time and he could not have been nicer. I played a half arsed version of his solo from Starman and took the guitar and played it perfectly. Very fond memory. Lovely guy.
Tell them it’s Tin Pan Alley Andrew!
@@garymorgan3314 Yes I had forgotten that Denmark Street was the UKs Tin Pan Alley. It's easy to forget other countries sometines don't get our references.
@@TheAndybow1964 Am a quiz freak so it's a reflex!
As an old guitarist and Ronson fan, I appreciate this. Well done Brother! I too always mention Mick Ronson whenever I share my own influences and samples of their expertise with folks who've been too pop for too long. Thank you. Keep up the great work.
Died so young. Too soon. So much talent. Still cry when i think of him passsing and so greatful to have met him
My favorite guitarist. He actually played through a 200 watt Marshall Major amp. that he called "The Pig".
Thank you for remembering this forgotten genuis!
😊❤ Mick Ronson was a guitar playing genius the likes of whom we will never forget,he was also a true gentleman.RIP MICK.
Never forget staggering into a bar in Thailand owned by a guy from Hull with a big picture of Ronno up on the wall,great musician shame Bowie/Ronson wasn't mentioned the same as plant/page Jagger/Richards
I don’t think I would have ever picked up a guitar if I hadn’t heard Mick’s playing. My older sister brought home Ziggy Stardust. I was amazed. Then, shopping in a K-mart with my mom and dad I found the Man Who Sold the World in the cutout bin. I think it was $2.99. I begged them to let me buy it. We got back to the house and I listen with my headphones and was completely blown away.
He is by far one of the most underrated musicians of all time. This was a great piece that really points that out.
Thanks for doing that.
Great story on Mick Ronson, My guitar hero is Todd Rundgren, way underrated guitarist, Soul, Fusion, Rock; he does it all
Saw Todd just before Covid. I’d no idea he was so good!
Thanks for doing this. Mick Ronson is one of the true greats and is under-appreciated, as you suggest.
Nice. I saw the Aladdin Sane tour at Worcester Gaumont in 1973. Mick Ronson really was that good.🎸✨
Outstanding episode. I had the great delight of meeting Mick Ronson before he played a small club gig with Ian Hunter in the town where I lived. This would have been about 1986. I was an enormous Bowie fan, and it was a real pleasure to meet Mick, whose work I had long admired. He was a genius.
Mick Ronson used a Tone Bender and was one of the original big name people to use one. That's how he got his fuzz tone and I don't think it was just the cocked wah. If you don't know about the history of Tone Benders it's a really rich and fascinating story.
Superb...so important that Mick is recognised...as a fan from Yorkshire it has always been a huge pride that a man from my County could be such an influential part of the greatest music ever made. As you can guess I’m a huge Bowie fan but equally am a huge Mick Ronson fan who also produced an album by Morrissey which is in my mind his greatest! Thank you for a wonderful post!
THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD,his playing on this record is sufficient to call him a guitar hero
Too true. It shook me cold.
Mixk Ronson deserves so much attention and was a music genius - I love his work arranging as well as guitar with Bowie. Great to see this.
The intro to all the young dudes defines this guys sense of melody. If your guitar player you probably know and understand what force he was
Great series idea, and great subject , Mr Mick Ronson , to start with
Some years ago I turned on the radio and a voice came out talking about Mick Ronson and what an amazing arranger and composer he was. It took me a while to realise that the voice I could hear extolling Ronson's skill and creativity was Rick Wakeman. That is praise indeed.
It’s amazing how many times the Les Paul/cocked wah/Marshall sound has been forgotten and rediscovered as innovative. Not only was it key to Mick’s sound, but it was to the early Boston guitar tone, and to Slash’s guitar tone.
Great idea to make this serie. You were right, there was some I didn't know about the guitar/music wiz...also known by the earthly name Mick Ronson
Definitely not sure which planet he was from but it sure is a cool one. He just went back right? 😉
Excellent video. No filler. All killer. Bravo👏 btw, I saw Mick with Ian in Florida 1988. Amen.
Mick Ronson has been my favorite guitarist since the early 70s. I bought Play Don’t Worry in the morning one day and liked it so much I went out that afternoon and bought Slaughter on Tenth Avenue.
I freaking love Mick Ronson! And together with Bowie they are just pure joy to listen to.
My fave guitarest in the world
Ronson was awesome, thanks for doing this vid.
Dont forget his arrangements in Lou Reeds biggest hit " Walk On The Wild Side" including all the string parts.
That side of Ronson was wild.
The whole Transformer album is great. Mick put his stamp all over it.
@jc Ripp - Excellent comment! That's very true. Love his work on the "Transformer" album.
Let’s not forget that Mick Ronson also produced Lou Reeds album Transformer, alongside Bowie. Ronson provided those string arrangements in Perfect day and Satellite of Love.
I was about ten and living in Hull, when Bowie became famous. Ronson was revered there. Tough town, but great people.
Absolutely right!😀
A promising start to the series! I loved Bowie, it's only later that I realised Mick's contribution.
How fitting that you should feature Mick on the first episode - saw him every time he came to Glasgow with Bowie - on his own and with Ian Hunter - I had the pleasure of meeting him here in Glasgow - he was a genuine great guy - he was the sound of Ziggy - he gave Bowie his sound - responsible for arrangements - outstanding guitarist - he was a genius who allowed Bowie to develop to near genius - my favourite guitarist of all time - check out Angel No 9 live on OGWT - sadly missed - thank you for creating this.
Thanks man, that was awesome! Mick was a huge influence on so many players, Randy Rhoads being one of them.
your right, us hardcore players will neve forget Mick or Randy.