Mick Ronson - The Spider with the Platinum Hair

Weird & Gilly

• Publisher: Music Press Books
• Year: 2017
• eBook ISBN:
  9781786065056
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Music Biographies

Mick Ronson was a lot more than just the guitarist for Ziggy Stardust. This fully updated first biography is full of first-hand recollections by those who were closest to him including a foreword by his wife Suzi and a hand-written speech by his daughter Lisa.
During the five years it has taken to collate this work, authors Weird and Gilly have spoken to over fifty family members, close friends and colleagues including exclusive interviews with Suzi Ronson, David and Maggi Ronson (brother and sister), Minnie Ronson (mother), Steve Popovich (manager), Lou Reed, Mick Jones, Ian Hunter, Chrissie Hynde, Glen Matlock, Cherry Vanilla, Steve Harley, Bob Harris, Joe Elliott and a host of others.
As a result, this book provides a deeply intimate and compelling insight into the life and times of an extraordinarily talented guitarist. A man who was tender and caring off the stage, yet fierce and electrifying on it. Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Ian Hunter and Annette Peacock are just a few of the names that were to become associated with the Mick Ronson legend. He toured with Bob Dylan, played with Mott The Hoople, worked with Lou Reed and produced an impressive number of albums with arresting originality.
From his days as a mobile grocer to his performances at Wembley Stadium, this minutely detailed biography also includes scores of unpublished photographs and unseen rarities including: a hand-written six-page autobiography by the man himself, love letters to his first girlfriend, family album photographs and an exhaustive discography.
After losing his battle with cancer, Mick passed away in the spring of 1993 at the young age of 46. This book is a salute to his remarkable music and legacy. Fully revised and updated with scores of new unpublished photographs and even more rare memorabilia.
'I was struck by the enormity of Mick's contribution to every record he played on - arrangements, incredible guitar, beautiful backing vocals, classical piano - he did it all, and he was northern and glamorous'

Table of contents

• Cover
• TITLE PAGE
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• DEDICATION
• CAST OF CHARACTERS INTERVIEWED BY WEIRD AND GILLY FOR THIS BIOGRAPHY:
• INTRODUCTION
• FOREWORD
• CHAPTER 1: GROWING UP AND I’M FINE
• CHAPTER 2: MICK’S BOOGIE
• CHAPTER 3: FACE TO FACE WITH THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD
• CHAPTER 4: THEN WE WERE ZIGGY’S BAND
• CHAPTER 5: HE WAS THE NAZZ WITH GOD-GIVEN ASS
• CHAPTER 6: SOLO ON 10TH AVENUE
• CHAPTER 7: ONE OF THE BOYS
• CHAPTER 8: WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN YOU’VE GOT SOMEWHERE TO RUN?
• CHAPTER 9: BURNING SOUNDS
• CHAPTER 10: JUST ANOTHER NIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF LIFE
• CHAPTER 11: THE HUGHMANN TECHNIQUE
• CHAPTER 12: SWEET DREAMER
• CHAPTER 13: HEAVEN AND HULL
• CHAPTER 14: MICHAEL PICASSO
• CHAPTER 15: MOLTEN GYPSY SOUL
• CHAPTER 16: THIS IS FOR YOU
• CONCLUSION: AND LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY – WHO LET HIM OUTTA HIS AMP?
• APPENDICES
• PLATES
• COPYRIGHT