Mick Ronson Benefit Show Review

By Cyndi Ford

 

Mick Ronson - A Tribute - April 2011, Atlanta

When I did my interview with Suzi Ronson, I was compelled to do a benefit show for
the Mick Ronson Legacy Foundation. I had to follow my heart, and do what I could.
I immediately told my best friend Penny, and she thought it was a great idea.
However she is what keeps me grounded, and reminded me that it would be quite an undertaking.
Of course I thought, ah this will be a piece of cake...little did I know the road this endeavour would take me down.

First thing I did was contact my friend and editor Chris Rockson at Soundcheck-Magazine, he gave me his blessing, and said he was there if I needed him, and of course I did. Then I contacted one of my favorite venues in town the Masquerade, they gave me two dates to chose from, both were a Sunday night, so I took the later one, which made my show March 6, 2011, a date that will forever be etched in my mind. I contacted Bruce Smith, who graciously offered up a few questions for the interview, but after a few messages back and forth he declined...this was my first bump in the road. I did not let it get me down though.

Next I contacted some close friends, The Gasoline Bros, they said they were with me and would help me out in any way possible, and were on board, and thought that the night was going to be great.
I called Atlanta’s premier sax player, Jonny Hibbert, he was on board and thought the night sounded fabulous and told me to contact Doug Bristol, he is next on my list I told him. Doug was excited and said most definitely he was on board, and would be glad to cover the Ian Hunter set.

His enthusiasm I would lean on often through this undertaking. Ray Dafrico, someone that was also glad to be included, and promised to be my stage manager, Ray was my rock as far as musicians go, I would not have come out sane on the other end of this without him. Next in line for me to contact was Joey Huffman, as long as he got to play All the Way from Memphis, he would be happy, and also turned out to be one of my key players in this show, appropriately so, as he is one of the finest keyboard players there is. Joey also suggested his friend Neal Spears to do a set, this would prove to be a great addition to the show.

As time went on many questions and problems arose, and I was able to climb the mountains that they raised, but it was the backing out of the main act The Gasoline Bros that made me question myself and if I could do this without them. But once I cried a few tears, I dusted myself off and kept to my path.
Next I contacted David Michaelson, who agreed to help me with the hole that the Gasoline Bros had left, with his band The Rainmen, which turned out to be a great thing in the end. This is when I was going to be just fine. To my delight the next addition to the show was Brent Daniel and his brother Jon, things were finally taking shape and and show time was just around the corner.
 

Now for the merchandise, and posters....yes posters, as with all the changes in the line up, I pushed Chris’ kindness to the limit. As he did the wonderful job of designing the t-shirts, which was so graciously done by Jon Daly for free as his part of the show, as he could not play the show, (thanks Joey Huffman, what a great suggestion). Jonny D, as Mr. Daly is known as did a fabulous job, and people all over were requesting the tees. And the sweet, kind, Patti Ray Stanley, she helped me out big time in this area, as not only did she design and make custom jewellery for the show, but her and her husband Chris helped me obtain photos from Wolfgang, a photographer out of Germany that had great shots of Mick and Ian at a show they had done together in Germany.

And then there was the great items that were donated by the Mick Ronson Legacy Foudation, autographed plectrums, several copies of a biography written by Weird and Gilly, called “The Spider with Platinum Hair”, and t-shirts with Mick’s autograph and picture on them, as well as posters from their upcoming show.
Thanks to Sunny and Mark for their help in acquiring these items. I was blown away by the generosity of my friends with their help on the merchandise booth, it totally rocked.

The week of the show had arrived, and things were looking good. I had planned for what seemed like forever, and was relatively calm much to my surprise. I had a plan for each moment for the days leading up to the show and things fell into place. On the day of the show, I put my plan into action and proceeded with caution.

When I arrived at the venue, I unloaded the car with the help of a few of the guys and set up what I had hoped to be was the best back stage ever, beer, sodas, water, food, gum and yes even the battery...the little 9volt battery that I had seen at all the shows backstage. I had played close attention to all the details and wanted to make everyone comfortable and enjoy themselves as they relaxed backstage.
I was told, “beer and BBQ, she knows the way to a man’s heart.” I guess this means I succeeded in my efforts.

The members of the band were arriving and setting up their equipment and things were going so smooth. True professionals, that is what it was, as these guys set about their task with ease, and things were sounding great. Paul Lenz was there, video equipment was ready. Phillip Morrissey was there for photos.
As show time approached, I began to get nervous, as I awaited for the arrival of the people. There were several friends of the band already at the show, and we were all ready for the show to begin.

Unit 31, was the first to take the stage. They had driven all the way from Pikeville, KY, and were excited just to be there. Neal Spears, on vocals, Joey Huffman on keyboards, Billy Jack Scott on lead guitar, Patrick Owens on drums and Steve Bowens on bass. These guys were great, they got the crowd rocking and put on a helluva show, and had some great originals they did along with a cover of Rebel Rebel, that really got everyone dancing. I could not have asked for a better opening act.

Next to take the stage was Ray Dafrico and the Shanghai Gesture. They did a fabulous job, and Ray’s vocals on the Ziggy songs blew me away. I was getting chills from their performance. He was joined on stage for a couple of songs by Paula Mangum, Susan Ridarick, and Jonny Hibbert on sax. Susan played keys on Suffragette City,
they also helped on Ziggy Stardust, Rebel Rebel, and The Jean Genie.

Third set, was done by Shades Off, that consisted of Doug Bristol on guitar, Brent Daniel on vocals, Jon Daniel on percussion, John Yoakum on bass, and Mark Whitmire on drums. Panic in Detroit was their opening number, but it was their cover of “Once Bitten Twice Shy” that blew me away. I was on my feet for sure on this tune, as it’s one of my favorites.

The final set was done by the Rainmen, with David Michaelson on drums, David Ford on guitar/vocals, Lyle Bufkin on bass/vocals, Joe Scinta on guitar/vocals, and Joey Huffman on keyboards. They were joined on stage by Jonny Hibbert and Ray Dafrico and did a smashing job on “All the Way from Memphis”. “Switchboard Susan” always a crowd pleaser got everyone dancing for sure.

As the night came to a close and final chores were taken care of.
I knew in my heart that this had been on of the best shows that I had seen in a while. And I was not being biased either, as the same sentiments were echoed from every person that I spoke to. All of the musicians were pleased with their sets and the transitions in between them had been smooth beyond imagination.

It had been a success even before it began though, as the reason was to celebrate Mick Ronson,
and keep his memory alive. And this was achieved by each and every conversation, and practice that had taken place in preparation for the show.

And next year, yes there is going to be a next year...is going to have to be pretty spectacular to meet the criteria that this one set, I cannot wait.

Cyndi