Talk:Mick Ronson

Hunky Dory
Should not Hunky Dory appear in the Glory Years section, since it was the first Bowie/Ronson co-production - plus Ronson featuring on Piano and Arrangements? Other than Rick Wakeman, this is the studio band that became The Spiders from Mars.


 * Yes, it should. Well spotted, and over to you, dear friend, to effect the amendment.  I am from Mick Ronson's hometown of Hull.  My main rationale of input here, is to keep his memory alive, rather than to muscle in on a true Bowie historian's work.


 * Derek R Bullamore 00:05, 10 March 2006 (UTC)


 * Um, I own the three Ronson studio albums, a few Ian Hunter ones as well as the Dana Gillespie and Lou Reed records. However, compared to a few people I know I am a mere dabbler in the appreciation of Ronno - and I wasn't willing to cut into somebody elses contribution without a polite enquiry first. I will get the Hunky Dory reference in, and throw a Philip Rambow album mention in for good measure. For the time being I will leave the Slaughter and the Dogs credit out.LessHeard vanU 14:35, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
 * (Sigh...) Slaughter & The Dogs have a wikilink, and Phil Rambow doesn't. Another win by notoriety over talent... Mind you, I have been searching the second hand record shops for the Phil Rambow/Ronno album for years - if I could get any decent info on him I would create a stub article myself!LessHeard vanU 20:37, 14 January 2007 (UTC)
 * I have added quite a bit more, especially the Bowie period and Ian Hunter collaberations. I fleshed out what I know of the Bob Dylan connection. It isn't comprehensive, but I am getting wary of exceeding Wiki's policy on too much input of a relative obscure artist. I will see if this gets edited down. If not I will add more, providing it links with established artists.LessHeard vanU 23:52, 10 March 2006 (UTC)

Felatio
Bowie did not "suggestively kiss" Ronson's guitar, he performed felatio to it. Wikipedia is not censored, hence no need of inane euphemisms. TommyStardust 13:17, 4 November 2006 (UTC)
 * I'm impressed that Bowie was able to get the entire head, including tuning pegs and nut, and some of the neck (with how many frets) of Ronno's Les Paul into his mouth - given that Mick was playing the damn thing. That would make it fellatio. From what I have seen, he kisses the neck (above the chord Ronno is holding) and licks the guitar body around the scratchboard. Any other interaction with the strings would have resulted in bum notes, and/or muted strings. In short, it was not an euphemism - Bowie simulated or inferred fellatio by kissing the guitar suggestively and grabbing Ronno's arse when doing so.


 * Mind you, that aside, I am impressed by the cleanup you have done on the article. Good work.LessHeard vanU 21:19, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

Re: "That would make it fellatio.":

Of course, it would not. At most it might make it suggestive of fellatio. Fellatio cannot be performed on a guitar. Don't be silly. TheScotch (talk) 20:01, 14 October 2009 (UTC)

Section Headers
'The glory years' does not strike me as a particularly encyclopaedic section header. Unless there are any objections, I will change it (when I think of something). Vanityjunkie 16:28, 28 March 2007 (UTC)
 * It is hard to think of a suitable replacement. Ronson's post Bowie work is critically generally well regarded, and is probably just as well liked by his fans. He just didn't get his name in the popular press as much (even though he may have made as much, or even more, money when he went freelance). Perhaps "Bowie Era" would cover his work with both little Davy Jones, Lou Reed, Mott, Dana Gillespie, and all that jazz? Then "Later Work" for Ian Hunter, Bob Dylan and all the (many) others? LessHeard vanU 19:48, 28 March 2007 (UTC) ps. Got any decent books on Ronno, this article does need some citations?
 * Unfortunately no. I don't know anything about Mick Ronson - that's why I looked him up. But Bowie Era and Later Work does sound better.Vanityjunkie 09:01, 4 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Nice job on the article. As a reward, find yourself some Ronno and enjoy! LessHeard vanU 12:23, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

Bowie's first meeting with Ronson?
Was it 1970 as suggested here?

Ronson played on Bowie's second album, recorded in 1969, "David Bowie" (retitled Man Of Words, Man Of Music) on the track "Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud". He also played on the re-recorded version of Memory Of A Free Festival the same year, which later appeared on the Ryokodisc reissue of the second David Bowie album (this time retitled Space Oddity). —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 86.16.129.4 (talk) 18:02, 3 April 2007 (UTC).
 * From memory the guitarists around this time were John Cambridge and Keith Christmas. LessHeard vanU 18:32, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
 * My memory would be wrong about the names, John Cambridge played drums... While Cambridge and Ronno had played together in the Rats from Hull, I am certain that Ronno didn't meet up with Bowie until just before the Holy, Holy single/Man Who Sold the World album. LessHeard vanU (talk) 12:44, 13 May 2009 (UTC)

October 1969. Mick Ronson arrived during the 'David Bowie' (Later re-titled 'Space Oddity') album's mixing stages with fellow The Rats band member Benny Marshall (both friends of ex Rat, and now Juniors eyes drummer, John Cambridge - Juniors Eyes providing most of the musicians for the album whilst Marshall provided harmonica on the track 'Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed') Mick provides 'Hand claps and some guitar' on 'Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud', David Bowie was present at these sessions. (further ref: www.Tonyvisconti.com) February 3rd 1970, Marquee Club, London, Mick Ronson formerly introduced to David Bowie. February 5th 1970, John Peel Sunday show, Mick Ronson and David Bowie first session together. Bowie having invited Mick to join his backing band, later called 'The Hype' (source The Hype official MySpace page. www.myspace.com/harrythebutcher John peel session is avaiable on 'Bowie At The Beeb' (EMI 7243 528629 2 4), Ronnohof (talk) 00:20, 5 July 2009 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Mick Ronson.jpg
Image:Mick Ronson.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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BetacommandBot (talk) 14:56, 8 March 2008 (UTC)

Hall of Fame Induction
Over a year ago I started a campaign to have Mick inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio, (Side Man category) One of the ways I am trying to get the selectors to be aware of this campaign was to initate a petition, this has since gained much momentum.

Around 4 months ago, Suzi Ronson joined the campaign, giving the whole project credibilty - and a much needed boost.

Since then Suzi has been in contact with, and had support from, several high profile artists and performers, also a member of the Hall of Fame's commitee, things are looking good.

However, I've attempted to place a message on this, Mick's wiki page, guiding people, via the MickRonson.com website (which is linked) where Suzi has written a message with a link directly to the petition, but for some reason this has not appeared on the page, Ideally it would be fantastic if there was a link directly to the petition ipetitions.com/petition/Ronno but would this be allowed? Any help would be really appreciated, Cheers, Colin Blades Ronnohof (talk) 22:12, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Although I must agree that his induction into the Hall of Fame is a worthy cause, it does not belong in an encyclopedia. Please review What Wikipedia is not.  That kind of information is more appropriate at a fan site or blog.  Good luck, Alanraywiki (talk) 22:24, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
 * If there was an independent source referencing the campaign to get Ronno inducted that would be of encyclopedic value, providing some much needed cited notability to the subject, but as a venue for advocating same - Alanraywiki is correct, WP is not the appropriate place. LessHeard vanU (talk) 12:40, 13 May 2009 (UTC)

Thank you for your comments, however as most pages carry a link to an outside source (official or otherwise) could a link to this, an official petition, not be placed below the mickronson.com link, no diaologue would be neccessary, On a point of clarification, Mick did not instruct a 'roadie' to strip his Les Paul of its ebony laquer, this he did himself (with a little help from Tony Visconti and John Cambridge) whilst living with Bowie at Haddon Hall, which was some time after the Chapman session. Mick copied the idea from a Jeff Beck (Micks hero at the time) Les Paul with similar 'customisation' The work being carried out during Micks time with The Hype. It would be interesting to learn the source of the 'Roadie' story. Ronnohof (talk) 14:22, 13 May 2009 (UTC)
 * I don't think that just a link would be appropriate, either. See WP:ELNO #11. Links to online petitions have been removed from articles in the past (e.g., to save a television show being canceled).  As noted by LessHeard VanU, a cited reference from a third-party is really the only way I can see this campaign being mentioned.  Alanraywiki (talk) 14:39, 13 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Speaking of citations, would Ronnohof have a copy of "The Spider With the Platinum Hair" (or something similar), as this appears to be the only bio made regarding Ronno - the Bowie bio's are generally inconsistent about Ronson (although most paint him quite favourably). This article really does need some good references, and a good article might be considered as equal a memoriam for the man as a Hall of Fame investiture. LessHeard vanU (talk) 19:53, 13 May 2009 (UTC)

Good points well explained. On the subject of 'The Spider with the Platinum Hair', this book is in the process of being re-issued (July 2009) The book has been updated and apparently its many mistakes have now being corrected, we await with interest.159.134.206.73 (talk) 21:36, 17 May 2009 (UTC)
 * I will see if I can't pre-order it from Amazon. Thanks. LessHeard vanU (talk) 19:58, 18 May 2009 (UTC)

Training?
Since Ronson seems to have done a fair amount of work as an arranger, work involving orchestral instruments, I'd like to know what training he's had--especially what formal training he's had--if any (why I came here, actually). Whoever knows one way or the other please put something about it in the article. Thanks. TheScotch (talk) 20:05, 14 October 2009 (UTC)
 * I'm reading "The Spider With The Platinum Hair" Ronson biography. From what it says it appears that Ronson studied piano and violin as a child and youth, at and after school, and his lessons included music theory. Presumably if he could read and write music for piano and violin then scoring other instruments would be fairly straightforward - however that is not indicated in the text so it cannot be included. I am fairly disappointed by the lack of authority in the book, as it is generally a retelling of other peoples accounts rather then something assembled from research. I am not going to get the quantity or quality of inline citations I thought I would... LessHeard vanU (talk) 20:36, 14 October 2009 (UTC)

Singles
It seems odd that there is only one single listed under this heading, and that from as late as 1994. From the little I know, there were two singles from Slaughter on Tenth Ave - the title track and Love Me Tender - not to mention the criminally underrated Billy Porter from Play Don't Worry (this does not mean it was underrated by criminals.) Don't think any of them charted to any great extent, though, if at all. Check out www.mickronson.com Zebideedoodah (talk) 23:46, 6 June 2010 (UTC)

Lack of photos is tragic
All this article lacks are some nice photos of Ronno! Surely there must be some out there that we can include? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.38.208.30 (talk) 15:04, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

At the very least can't we use photos from album covers? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.38.208.30 (talk) 15:07, 5 August 2010 (UTC)
 * WP:Fair use only allows us to use album covers on articles relating to the albums. Most good photo's of Ronno were taken by professional photographers, who are usually unwilling to provide images under WP's copyleft licenses. Most fan's photo's suck (those little 110 fixed focal camera's, with slow film, were the only ones you could sneak into concerts). This is true for most artists up into the 1990's. LessHeard vanU (talk) 11:07, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Heroes Video
Is this Mick Ronson playing the Fender Telecaster? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JOvgfOkxgQ&feature=related —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.25.40.117 (talk) 03:04, 21 August 2010 (UTC)
 * Yup. Bowie's section of the Freddie Mercury tribute concert. Ronno plays "Heroes" and "All The Young Dudes" (Ian Hunter guest vocals). This is covered in the article. LessHeard vanU (talk) 11:09, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

Death
Why no mention of cause of death? This seems to have been done for most other late rock musicians' articles. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.98.96.38 (talk) 08:03, 4 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Lack of RS noting it, I should imagine. He had liver cancer, but what the actual cause of death was - which "complication" - might not be recorded. If you have a good reference for a cause of death, please add it. LessHeard vanU (talk) 21:38, 4 August 2011 (UTC)


 * Yes, was his liver cancer the result of alcoholism??? Saw him in a HD vid from TOTP in 1973 and he definitely had an ashen pallor.User:JCHeverly 22:08, 13 January 2014 (UTC)

Suzy/Suzi?
Is it Suzy or Suzi Ronson? Both versions are used in the text.Vithar Alderland (talk) 12:22, 16 July 2012 (UTC)

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Consistency with Mark Ronson article?
The article on Mark Ronson claims that Mick Ronson had a son named Mark, who is not the same person. However this article lists his sons as Nicholas and Joachim. For what it is worth, I just looked at the two references that the Mark Ronson article cites for this claim, and neither appears to say that Mick Ronson had a son named Mark.

Can someone clear this up and make the two articles consistent? I would but I do not have a definitive reference to cite. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 138.47.34.77 (talk) 16:36, 14 December 2018 (UTC)
 * I've removed the statement from Mark Ronson's article. Neither of the sources used to support it said anything about Mick having a different son named Mark.  -- Jayron 32 18:39, 14 December 2018 (UTC)

Work with 1980 “the Iron City Houserockers” lp as producer and instrumentalist
Ronson’s rôle as producer and instrumentalist is in the Wikipedia articles on the group and the separate article on the album,”have a good time but get out alive”. Should this be cross referenced? 2600:1014:B0E5:6FAA:5091:6FA4:DE80:2EC2 (talk) 22:55, 2 July 2022 (UTC)