Mick Ronson
The guitarist of the Spiders from Mars and solo artist behind *Slaughter on 10th Avenue*.
Mick Ronson was the English guitarist of David Bowie's backing band the Spiders from Mars. His debut solo album, *Slaughter on 10th Avenue*, was released in February 1974 by RCA Records. For inspiration, Ronson relied on Annette Peacock's 1972 album *I'm the One*, using its title track and her arrangement of Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender." Two songs on the album were co-written with Scott Richardson, who came to prominence as lead singer of the SRC and was brought into the Bowie camp by Angie Bowie.
- Role
- Lead Guitarist
- Affiliation
- The Spiders from Mars
- Instrumentation
- Guitar, Piano, Vocals
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
During the recording of *Slaughter on 10th Avenue*, Ronson considered putting together a new band with Scott Richardson, Aynsley Dunbar, and Trevor Bolder, to be called the Fallen Angels, but plans fell through. One of the two tracks co-written by Ronson and Richardson, "Only After Dark," was later covered by the original lineup of the Human League in 1980. Their version was intended as the second single from their second album *Travelogue*, but their label Virgin Records shelved it in favor of a reissue of "Empire State Human" and gave away pressings of "Only After Dark" as a free bonus single, a move that greatly angered the group and contributed to their subsequent split. The song was also covered by Def Leppard and issued as the B-side of their 1992 hit single "Let's Get Rocked."
In Their Own Story
Mick Ronson's debut concert came at the Rainbow Theatre, London, with a pair of shows on 22–23 February 1974. His band consisted of Mark Carr-Pritchard on second guitar, Trevor Bolder on bass, Mike Garson on keyboards, and Ritchie Dharma on drums. The band were augmented by Thunderthighs on vocals, a five-piece horn section, and the London Symphony Orchestra. This was followed by a 13-date tour in April 1974 without the orchestra.
Reader's Guide
Dave Thompson of AllMusic praised *Slaughter on 10th Avenue*, putting it on par with "any of Bowie's own" and describing it as a "snapshot of a special time, when the triple disciplines of glam, rock, and 'Precious Art' slammed into one another." According to journalist Jim Irvin, "Ronno's best-selling solo set of '74 has exclusive Bowie songs, a cracking band and engaging ideas. But the mixes are odd, some tracks don't lift-off and his vocals lack a distinctive persona." *Classic Rock* reviewer finds the album "a mixed blessing" too, noting that some songs sound dated and overblown, but Bowie's penned tracks are "slices of old-school camp given a no-nonsense twist."
Did You Know?
- Mick Ronson's debut solo album *Slaughter on 10th Avenue* was released in February 1974 by RCA Records.
- Ronson considered forming a new band called the Fallen Angels with Scott Richardson, Aynsley Dunbar, and Trevor Bolder, but the plans fell through.
- The Human League's cover of "Only After Dark" was given away as a free bonus single with the official single, angering the group and contributing to their split.
- Ronson's debut concert at the Rainbow Theatre, London, on 22–23 February 1974 included the London Symphony Orchestra.
- Def Leppard covered "Only After Dark" as the B-side of their 1992 hit single "Let's Get Rocked."
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Mick Ronson?
He served as the lead guitarist for David Bowie's backing band, the Spiders from Mars, during their peak glam rock years. In addition to guitar duties, he also performed on piano and provided vocals within the group.
What was Mick Ronson's role in the music industry?
Ronson acted as a key musical collaborator who helped craft the sonic identity of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust era. His arrangement skills were essential in defining the sound that made the Spiders from Mars famous.
Did Mick Ronson release solo music?
His debut solo record, Slaughter on 10th Avenue, was issued by RCA Records in February 1974. Two tracks on this album were co-written with Scott Richardson, who was introduced to the Bowie circle by Angie Bowie.
What inspired his debut solo album?
Ronson looked to Annette Peacock's 1972 album I'm the One for creative direction during production. He specifically used her arrangement of Elvis Presley's Love Me Tender and covered the title track from that record.
Why is Mick Ronson important to Bowie fans?
Mick Ronson is celebrated for creating the iconic guitar riffs that defined Bowie's Ziggy Stardust persona and subsequent rock albums. His partnership with Bowie remains one of the most influential musician-duo relationships in glam rock history.
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