Michael "Mick" Ronson

Born:

26 May 1946, Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England

Died:

29 April 1993, London, England

Nationality:

British

Profession(s):

Guitarist, Songwriter, Multi-instrumentalist, Arranger, Producer

Early Life and Education

• Michael "Mick" Ronson was born in Kingston upon Hull.
• Received classical training in piano and learned to play recorder, violin, and eventually guitar.
• Early musical endeavors involved playing in local Hull bands such as The Mariners, The Crestas, and The King Bees.

Career and Major Achievements

• Rose to prominence as the guitarist in David Bowie's backing band, The Spiders from Mars, during Bowie's Ziggy Stardust era.
• Contributed significantly to Bowie's albums The Man Who Sold the World, Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Aladdin Sane, and Pin Ups.
• Embarked on a solo career, releasing albums such as Slaughter on 10th Avenue (1974) and Play Don't Worry (1975).
• Worked extensively as a session musician, arranger, and producer for artists including Lou Reed, Ian Hunter, Mott the Hoople, Bob Dylan, and Morrissey.
• Formed The Wild Horses with Ian Hunter after leaving Mott the Hoople, but the band was short-lived.
• Joined Ian Hunter's band in the late 1970s and toured and recorded with him extensively.
• Collaborated with Def Leppard on their album Adrenalize, co-producing and performing on the track "Only After Dark."

Notable Works

Selected Discography

Legacy and Impact

Mick Ronson's distinctive guitar playing, arranging skills, and production work significantly influenced glam rock and subsequent generations of musicians. His contributions to David Bowie's most iconic albums are considered seminal, and his work continues to be celebrated by fans and critics alike.

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