Introduction
Mick Ronson was one of the most influential rock guitarists of the 1970s, known for his groundbreaking work with David Bowie during the rise of glam rock. Though his name may not be as widely recognized as guitar icons like Jimi Hendrix or Eric Clapton, Ronson’s creative guitar arrangements and playing style helped define the sound of glam and shaped the course of rock music.
As Bowie’s right-hand man during his Ziggy Stardust era, Ronson’s guitar gave songs like "Moonage Daydream" and "Suffragette City" their hard-edged glam sound. His studio production and arrangements were also integral to the success of albums like The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane. Though he contributed to only a short period of Bowie’s long career, Ronson’s influence can be heard throughout Bowie’s extensive catalog.
Beyond his collaborations, Ronson also forged a solo career that demonstrated his talents as a songwriter, vocalist, and bandleader. His two solo albums in the 1970s remain cult classics for glam rock fans. In his later years, Ronson continued to work as a sought-after producer and session musician until his untimely death from cancer at age 46.
Decades after his passing, Ronson’s legacy lives on through the countless artists he has inspired. His innovative guitar work cemented his reputation as one of the most important sidemen in rock history and the preeminent guitarist of the glam era. This article will explore Ronson’s life, collaborations, and enduring musical impact.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Mick Ronson was born in 1946 in Kingston upon Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. He came from a working class family and grew up surrounded by the sounds of rock n’ roll, which he fell in love with at an early age.
As a teenager, Ronson joined his first band The Mariners, providing backing vocals and rhythm guitar. He then went on to play with The Crestas and The Hype, where he started developing his signature guitar style. Major influences at this time included guitarists like Hank Marvin of The Shadows, Duane Eddy, and Jeff Beck.
In 1967, at age 21, Ronson joined The Rats, where he met future collaborator Ian Hunter. This band allowed Ronson to truly hone his craft as lead guitarist. He incorporated techniques like finger-picking and hybrid picking into his energetic guitar solos.
After The Rats disbanded, Ronson went on to join the folk-rock band The Hooterville Hoboes, later renamed Ronno. This group gained a reputation for their live shows, where Ronson often stole the spotlight with his mesmerizing guitar work. It was with Ronno that Ronson started to build a name for himself within the Hull music scene as an up-and-coming guitarist.
Meeting David Bowie
Mick Ronson first crossed paths with David Bowie in early 1970, when Bowie was looking to put together a backing band for his third studio album, The Man Who Sold the World. Despite coming from very different musical backgrounds, the pair hit it off immediately, thanks in large part to Ronson’s creative guitar playing.
Bowie was drawn to Ronson’s unique style, later describing his guitar work as "violent, yet sweeping". Ronson’s edgy riffs and inventive arrangements proved the perfect complement to Bowie’s avant-garde rock vision.
Over the next several years, Ronson became an essential part of Bowie’s glam rock reinvention. His contributions as guitarist and arranger were integral to classic albums like Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and Aladdin Sane.
Ronson’s searing guitar lines on tracks like "Moonage Daydream" and "Suffragette City" gave Bowie’s music its raw, proto-punk edge. His creative arrangements fleshed out Bowie’s ideas into fully realized rock songs. Ronson also helped develop the flamboyant Ziggy Stardust character, applying Bowie’s makeup and even coordinating stage outfits.
In many ways, Ronson was the musical genius behind Bowie’s signature sound and style. Their partnership pushed boundaries and redefined rock, cementing them both as 1970s icons.
Classic Albums
Mick Ronson’s guitar work was integral to some of David Bowie’s most iconic and influential albums in the early 1970s. On 1971’s Hunky Dory, Ronson added his bluesy guitar flair to tracks like "Changes" and "Life on Mars?" His creative arrangements helped bring Bowie’s songs to life.
However, it was 1972’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars that cemented Ronson as an essential part of the Bowie sound. His epic guitar riffs on songs like "Moonage Daydream" and "Suffragette City" gave the album its glammed-up edge. Ronson’s guitar solos were raucous and melodic, channeling the rebellious spirit of glam rock.
The following year’s Aladdin Sane saw Ronson continue to evolve his guitar work alongside Bowie’s artistic vision. His riff on the title track is one of his most famous, while his solo on "Cracked Actor" is a standout. Ronson also arranged strings on several tracks, expanding his creative role.
Across these three seminal records, Ronson went from talented sideman to Bowie’s creative foil. His guitar playing was the fiery yin to Bowie’s eclectic yang. Ronson’s solos, riffs and arrangements helped forge the distinctive glam rock sound.
Live Performances
Ronson and Bowie’s live performances during the height of their collaboration in the early 1970s were the stuff of legend. Their shows were flamboyant, theatrical spectacles that showcased the duo’s creative partnership and cemented their status as glam rock icons.
The Ziggy Stardust tour of 1972-1973 was particularly iconic. Bowie took on the persona of the fictional rock star Ziggy Stardust, complete with elaborate costumes, makeup, and set designs. Ronson was an integral part of bringing Ziggy to life on stage, not just with his guitar playing but his own unique style and stage presence. According to those who attended the shows, Ronson had an understated cool that balanced Bowie’s dramatic theatrics.
There are many great anecdotes that give a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the Ronson/Bowie live experience. At one show, Bowie spontaneously knelt down and sang a verse of "Space Oddity" into Ronson’s guitar pickup, creating an echo effect. The crowd went wild. Ronson also sometimes wore a tight one-piece suit that showcased his guitar skills during solos. At a 1972 Oxford Town Hall show, Bowie playfully peeled the suit off Ronson on stage, stripping him down to a leotard.
Ronson and Bowie also had a signature move where Bowie would melodramatically collapse backwards across Ronson’s shoulders at the climax of certain songs. Photographs of this maneuver, like Ronson holding up Bowie on his shoulders during "The Width of a Circle", have become iconic images of their partnership.
Their live interplay showcased the deep creative trust between the two musicians. Bowie would often look to Ronson for cues during shows, relying on him to lead the band. Ronson’s guitar solos were also highlights, as he improvised and played off the crowd’s energy. Their charismatic performances solidified them as one of the most legendary pairings in rock history.
Mick Ronson’s Guitar Style and Technique
Mick Ronson’s guitar playing was integral in defining the glam rock sound. His style blended elements of rockabilly, surf rock, and blues rock into something completely new and innovative.
Ronson’s signature guitar tone was clean and crisp, achieved through his favored Fender Telecaster guitar paired with a Marshall amp. He used unique techniques like palm muting and hybrid picking to produce punchy rhythms and searing lead lines.
Some of Ronson’s most influential guitar parts can be heard on classic David Bowie tracks like "Moonage Daydream" and "Ziggy Stardust." The iconic riff in "Moonage Daydream" demonstrated Ronson’s mastery of string bending and vibrato. His solo on "Ziggy Stardust" is regarded as one of the great guitar solos in rock history, building from sparse melodic phrases to an emotive crescendo.
Ronson also frequently employed unorthodox techniques that added to his distinctive flair. On "Suffragette City," he created a warbling effect by shaking his tremolo arm while bending strings. His finger-picked arpeggios on "Lady Stardust" and Eastern-inspired lead lines on "Aladdin Sane" revealed the depth of his musical knowledge and creativity.
As a soloist, Ronson constructed melodic solos that served the song, alternating between smooth, sustained notes and rapid-fire runs. His control of dynamics and use of distortion, feedback, and harmonics expanded the sonic possibilities of the electric guitar. From the rawness of "Moonage Daydream" to the delicacy of "Life on Mars?," Ronson consistently delivered iconic guitar parts that influenced generations of players.
Solo Work
After his fruitful partnership with David Bowie ended in the mid-1970s, Mick Ronson embarked on a solo career that allowed him to step into the spotlight. Though his solo work never reached the commercial heights of his collaborations with Bowie, Ronson’s albums showcased his songwriting talents and guitar skills.
Ronson released two studio albums in the 1970s that blended glam rock, pop, and hard rock influences. His debut solo album Slaughter on 10th Avenue arrived in 1974, featuring Ronson’s renditions of classical compositions by Richard Rodgers alongside originals. The record presented a diverse showcase of Ronson’s guitar playing, from the aggressive riffs of "Love Me Tender" to the tender acoustic work on "Only After Dark."
His second and final studio album Play Don’t Worry followed in 1975. While less cohesive than his debut, it contained standouts like the title track and "Billy Porter," where Ronson unleashed some of his most inspired guitar solos. Despite poor sales, these albums cemented Ronson’s artistic credibility outside of the Bowie universe.
Beyond his solo work, Ronson remained an in-demand collaborator and producer. He contributed guitar and arrangements to Lou Reed’s Transformer, helping craft Reed’s definitive solo work. Ronson also served as the musical director for Bob Dylan’s controversial Rolling Thunder Revue tour in 1975-76. Throughout the late 70s and 80s, Ronson produced albums for artists like John Mellencamp, Ellen Foley, and Ian Hunter. Though he preferred the creativity of the studio, Ronson’s elite guitar skills still lit up these collaborations.
Later Career
Mick Ronson’s career slowed down in the 1980s as music trends shifted away from glam rock. While his guitar playing was still respected, Ronson struggled to maintain the same level of popularity and success he had achieved in the 1970s.
Health issues also started impacting Ronson’s career in the 80s. He was diagnosed with liver cancer in 1990, which forced him to take time off touring and recording. The cancer went into remission after initial treatment, but returned in 1991.
Ronson released his last solo album Heaven and Hull in 1994, which was partly recorded in his hometown. While it received positive reviews, it failed to chart or gain much commercial success. His guitar playing was still excellent, but the glam rock style was out of fashion in the 90s grunge era.
Ronson’s visibility and output declined significantly in the late 80s and early 90s as his health deteriorated. He made occasional guest appearances but was unable to regularly tour or record new material. His pioneering guitar skills were still respected by musicians, but Ronson faded from the mainstream spotlight in his later career. Though he planned future projects with David Bowie, Ronson’s life was sadly cut short before he could reclaim the success of his heyday.
Death and Legacy
Mick Ronson’s prolific career was tragically cut short when he passed away in 1993 at the age of 46 after being diagnosed with liver cancer. Though Ronson remained active in music through the late 80s and early 90s, his death came as a shock to friends, family, and fans.
A star-studded memorial concert was held in London shortly after Ronson’s passing, featuring performances from artists like David Bowie, Joe Elliott, Trevor Bolder, and Elton John. The concert was both a celebration of Ronson’s life and an outpouring of grief over the loss of such an iconic and beloved guitarist.
Despite his relatively short career, Mick Ronson left an indelible impact on rock music that is still felt today. His guitar work with David Bowie is considered profoundly influential, shaping the sound and style of glam rock. Ronson’s signature guitar tones, riffs, and solos inspired countless aspiring guitarists and can be heard echoed in many contemporary rock acts.
From being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to having a guitar technique instructional DVD released in his honor, Mick Ronson’s artistic legacy continues to be recognized well after his passing. He is remembered not just as a sideman to Bowie’s stardom, but as a legendary guitarist in his own right who took rock guitar playing in bold new directions. Though the world sadly lost Ronson too soon, his revolutionary musicianship lives on as a testament to his great talent and vision.
Conclusion
Mick Ronson’s musical journey took him from humble beginnings playing in small clubs in Hull to legendary stages around the world. His creative partnership and guitar innovations alongside David Bowie in the early 1970s cemented his status as one of rock’s greatest guitarists.
Ronson’s guitar style blended elements of rock, blues, and even classical arrangements, creating a signature sound that was emulated by countless musicians. His creative guitar parts on albums like The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, and Diamond Dogs invented the musical blueprint for glam and art rock. Ronson’s influence stretched beyond Bowie, with his production and arrangements for artists like Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, and Morrissey expanding his impact.
While Ronson’s solo career after Bowie never reached the same heights of popularity, he continued exploring new musical directions up until his untimely death. His final work showed an artist still bursting with fresh ideas and innovation. Over 25 years since his passing, Ronson’s legacy lives on through the generations of musicians he has inspired. His creative spirit and singular guitar voice cemented his reputation as one of the most important rock guitarists of all time. For glam rock in particular, Ronson was instrumental in defining its sound, elevating him to the status of the genre’s greatest guitarist.