“I didn’t want to stay in the same town I grew up in. I wanted to live. I wanted to do  something with me life.” 

Mick Ronson is one of those famous people who is not quite famous enough as far as  many, including me, are concerned. Born and raised in Kingston upon Hull (mostly known  as plain ol’ Hull), he had matinee idol good looks, platinum blonde hair and a bronzed,  muscular build. Classically trained on piano and violin, he turned to guitar and went on to  play in successful bands touring around places close to Hull while maintaining a day job.  After one unsuccessful try at moving to London to play music he was recommended to  David Bowie by a fellow musician from Hull and he went on to make history as the guitar  player in The Spiders From Mars. 

As my dear friend and Cholo Steve Morales pointed out, whatever type of project Mick was  involved in, whether playing, arranging or producing it was rarely the same thing twice. He  has a resume that is beyond impressive ranging from working with people like Bowie, Lou  Reed and Ian Hunter to The Rich Kids, Slaughter And The Dogs to Bob Dylan and John  Mellencamp. And he produced the best Morrissey solo record. Those are just a few of his  credits. Legendary? Yes! But his story is not exactly a happy one.  

In a better world Ronno would have gone on to become a highly paid record producer, a  composer of film scores and also a guitar player in a KILLER Rock N’ Roll band. His  accomplishments, like his amazing guitar playing and his ear for fine arrangements are all  well documented but what about the man and his story? 

There are two books I have located on Ronno. Mick Ronson: The Spider With The Platinum  Hair by Weird And Gilly aka Eric Demattio and Karen Laney is a fun book that tells Mick’s  story with a lot of quotes from people close to him and includes a look at rare items like  handwritten notes by Mick, ads covering many stages of his career, quotes from Mick and a  discography. There is also a forward by Suzi Ronson giving the book some real legitimacy. Turn And Face The Strange: The Mick Ronson Story is more straight forward in the way it  tells Mick’s story. It takes a hard-nosed reporting style in uncovering the facts about Mick’s  life. There is a timeline and a guide to important sites in Hull relating to Ronno’s time there.  The point size is very small so there is a lot crammed in and there is a section with photos  and ads for Mick related gigs.  

But a real treat for Ronno fans is the Jon Brewer film Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story.  David Bowie serves as the tour guide through the film, commenting on Mick’s life while  also providing great stories about The Spiders From Mars via filmed archive interviews. On  hand for interviews are collaborators Angie Bowie, Ian Hunter and Joe Elliott to name a few.  The legendary story of how the manly lads from Hull who made up The Spiders From Mars,  Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Woody Woodmansey were reluctant to say the least when  Bowie suggested they wear glam outfits and make-up but later were fighting over eyeliner 

and rouge after the girls started responding to their androgyny is included. And when told  by Bowie himself, it is perfect.  

The DVD looks fantastic and with the celebrated recent release of the Bowie doc Moonage  Daydream this film deserves to be on your shelf right next to it. The extras include bonus  interview footage with Angie, Ian, Rick Wakeman (who looks worn out but still plays  beautifully), Sex Pistol Glen Matlock and more.