If you’re a fan of David Bowie. You will also be familiar with the name of Mick Ronson, a talented musician who became an integral part in the success of Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust album, where he provided string arrangements and other instrumentation, as well as lead guitar.
Nineteen years ago, on the 29th April 1993, Mick passed away from liver cancer. He was only 46. I wanted to pay him homage, for he deserves to be remembered.
After Bowie, he went on to record two solo albums and worked with Ian Hunter and Bob Dylan. In 1992, he produced Morrissey’s Your Arsenal solo album.
In an 1994 interview, Bowie said this about him: ‘Mick was the perfect foil for the Ziggy character. He was very much a salt-of-the-earth type, the blunt northerner with a defiantly masculine personality, so that what you got was the old-fashioned Yin and Yang thing. As a rock duo, I thought we were every bit as good as Mick and Keith or Axl and Slash. Ziggy and Mick were the personification of that rock n roll dualism.’
His work can be heard on Bowie’s 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. In 1993, he reunited with Bowie for the Black Tie White Noise album.
If you’ve stumbled upon this blog and want to know more about Mick Ronson, be sure to check his official website here. Remember the man and his music.
A few videos below:
Moonage Daydream – Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars from 1973 at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. Featuring a mind-blowing solo from Mick.
Once Bitten Twice Shy – with Ian Hunter – 1975
I’d Give Anything to See You – Mick Ronson
Alannah Murphy is a former rock musician turned writer, currently working on a rock'n'roll novel set in London. 
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Mick is my hero. Never saw him perform with Bowie however Hunky Dory was the first album I ever bought and to this day Life on Mars is my favourite track of all time.
Saw his solo Tour in Newcastle and also saw him there with Ian. Met them at Stage Door and still treasure his autograph.
Off to Hull to celebrate next weekend looking forward to it very much.
It has been said so often he was underrated and I agree. Once you realise it was Micks production and arrangements on the early Bowie stuff you really listen to it with fresh ears.
The Empty Bed is awesome too.
We love you Mick xx
That is wonderful Diane, thanks for sharing that here. I have always wanted to go to Hull myself.
Bowie’s first few albums would have never been the same if Mick had not been involved, I knew he’d done a lot of the arrangements too.
A greatly under-rated musician, but I am glad there are many out there who truly appreciate him.
Thank you for commenting
Thank you for this tribute. What a superb musician and wonderful man he was. We miss you, Ronno.
Thanks for your lovely comment Irina.
Thanx v. much Alannah, Mick richly deserves to be well remembered.
Definitely, he was a great talent.
Glad you enjoyed it Richard. Makes one nostalgic for the good old days of rock’n'roll.
An impressive panoply, Alannah. Thanks for this.