Mick Ronson, a profoundly influential figure in rock music, is best remembered as a virtuoso guitarist, arranger, songwriter, and producer. Born Michael Ronson on May 26, 1946, in Kingston upon Hull, England, he rose to fame in the early 1970s as part of David Bowie’s backing band, The Spiders from Mars, contributing significantly to Bowie’s transformation into a glam rock icon. Ronson’s musical journey began in Hull, where he initially played piano before switching to guitar. He was influenced by rock ‘n’ roll pioneers like Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. Before his rise to fame, Ronson played with various bands, including The Rats, honing his skills as a guitarist.
Ronson’s career trajectory changed dramatically when he joined David Bowie in 1970. His collaboration with Bowie during the Ziggy Stardust era was pivotal. Ronson’s guitar work, coupled with his skills as an arranger, were instrumental in crafting the sound of albums like The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Hunky Dory. His contribution to Bowie’s music extended beyond his guitar playing; he arranged the strings for songs like “Life on Mars?” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide,” showcasing his versatile musical talent.
After his time with Bowie, Ronson embarked on a solo career. His debut album, Slaughter on 10th Avenue (1974), showcased his talent as a lead artist. The title track, a cover of the ballet score by Richard Rodgers, highlighted Ronson’s knack for dramatic and intricate guitar work. His subsequent albums, such as Play Don’t Worry (1975) and Heaven and Hull (1994), further exhibited his range as a musician.
Numerous collaborations with other prominent artists marked ronson’s career. He worked with Ian Hunter, formerly of Mott the Hoople, contributing significantly to Hunter’s solo albums. I worked with people who were in that band, and I always heard stories of how important Ronson was to Ian Hunter.
Below is a look at Mark Ronson’s solo albums.
MICK RONSON STUDIO ALBUMS
Slaughter on 10th Avenue
Released February 1974
Mick Ronson’s debut solo album, Slaughter on 10th Avenue, was released in February 1974 under the RCA Records label. This album, following Ronson’s pivotal work with David Bowie as a part of the Spiders from Mars, showcases his remarkable talents as a guitarist and arranger. Produced by Mick Ronson himself, alongside Aynsley Dunbar and David Hentschel, the album was recorded at Trident Studios and Advision Studios in London.
In Slaughter on 10th Avenue, Ronson blends instrumental pieces with vocal tracks, demonstrating his versatility. The title track, a dynamic adaptation of Richard Rodgers’ ballet score, stands out as a testament to Ronson’s innovative approach to guitar playing and arrangement.
CD Track Listings:
- “Love Me Tender” – 4:50
- “Growing Up and I’m Fine” – 3:10
- “Only After Dark” – 3:31
- “Music Is Lethal” – 5:10
- “I’m the One” – 4:53
- “Pleasure Man / Hey Ma Get Papa” – 7:05
- “Slaughter on 10th Avenue” – 4:26
- “Sole Survivor” – 3:27
Play Don’t Worry
Released January 1975
Play Don’t Worry, Mick Ronson’s second studio album, was released in January 1975 by RCA Records. This album continues the blend of rock, glam, and blues styles that characterized his first album. Produced by Mick Ronson and engineered by Mike Stone, the album was recorded at several studios, including Trident Studios and Chipping Norton Recording Studios in England.
This album features a mix of original compositions and cover songs, with Ronson’s guitar work being the focal point. The album includes the hit single “Billy Porter,” showcasing Ronson’s songwriting and vocal abilities alongside his guitar prowess.
CD Track Listings:
- “Billy Porter” – 3:33
- “Angel No. 9” – 5:34
- “This Is for You” – 4:30
- “White Light/White Heat” – 4:09
- “Play Don’t Worry” – 3:15
- “Hazy Days” – 4:23
- “Girl Can’t Help It” – 2:47
- “Empty Bed (Io Me Ne Andrei)” – 3:14
- “Woman” – 3:30
- “Seven Days” – 2:41
Heaven and Hull
Released August 1994
Heaven and Hull, released in August 1994 by Epic Records, was the final studio album released by Mick Ronson before his death in 1993. Produced by Mick Ronson and B. A. Robertson, the album was recorded at several locations, including Mountain Studios in Montreux, Switzerland.
The album is a culmination of Ronson’s experiences and collaborations, featuring guest appearances by artists like David Bowie, Ian Hunter, and Joe Elliott. The tracks blend rock, glam, and pop influences, showcasing Ronson’s talents as a guitarist and his skill in arranging and production. The album includes “Don’t Look Down,” a song co-written with Bowie.
CD Track Listings:
- “Don’t Look Down” – 5:52
- “Like a Rolling Stone” – 4:21
- “When the World Falls Down” – 5:03
- “Trouble With Me” – 4:17
- “Life’s a River” – 5:24
- “You and Me” – 3:10
- “Colour Me” – 3:09
- “Take a Long Line” – 3:00
- “Midnight Love” – 3:22
- “All the Young Dudes” – 3:31
Just Like This
Recorded in 1976, Released in 1999
Just Like This, an album by Mick Ronson, was recorded in 1976 but remained unreleased until 1999. This posthumous release by NMC Music unveils a collection of tracks that Ronson recorded following his initial solo projects. Produced by Mick Ronson himself, the album was recorded at various locations, showcasing his continued evolution as an artist during the mid-1970s.
CD Track Listings:
- “Just Like This” – 3:26
- “I’d Give Anything to See You” – 6:01
- “Takin’ a Train” – 2:54
- “Hard Life” – 6:36
- “(Is There) Life on Mars?” – 4:48
- “I’ve Got No Secrets” – 4:17
- “Girl Can’t Help It” – 3:47
- “Empty Bed (Io Me Ne Andrei)” – 4:23
- “Seven Days” – 4:26
- “Midnight Love” – 4:24
- “It’s a Lie” – 5:35
- “Colour Me” – 3:21
Showtime
Live in 1976 and 1989, Released in 1999
Showtime, released in 1999 by NMC Music, is a live album capturing performances from two different phases of Mick Ronson’s career. The first part of the album features a live recording from 1976, while the second part includes performances from 1989. This album provides a glimpse into Ronson’s live shows, showcasing his dynamic presence and exceptional guitar work.
The contrast between the two eras presents a fascinating insight into Ronson’s musical journey, demonstrating both his consistency and his growth as a live performer. The album includes a mix of his solo work and covers, highlighting his versatility and influence as a guitarist.
CD Track Listings:
- “Crazy Love” – 3:31 (1976)
- “Hey Grandma” – 3:03 (1976)
- “Takin’ a Train” – 2:58 (1976)
- “Junkie” – 3:26 (1976)
- “I’d Give Anything to See You” – 6:04 (1976)
- “Hard Life” – 6:41 (1976)
- “Just Like This” – 3:29 (1976)
- “Sweet Dreamer” – 5:50 (1989)
- “F.B.I.” – 3:50 (1989)
- “White Light / White Heat” – 4:05 (1989)
- “Darling Let’s Have Another Baby” – 2:48 (1989)
- “Slaughter on 10th Avenue” – 2:55 (1989)
Indian Summer
Recorded in 1981–1982, Released in 2001
Indian Summer, another posthumous release, was recorded between 1981 and 1982 but was not released until 2001 by NMC Music. The album, produced by Mick Ronson, features a collection of songs that Ronson worked on in the early 1980s, a period marked by musical experimentation and transition.
CD Track Listings:
- “Indian Summer” – 3:42
- “East of Ealing” – 3:34
- “Love Me Tender” – 4:03
- “Billy Porter” – 3:33
- “American Pie” – 8:20
- “Get On With It” – 3:25
- “I Gotta Grow Up” – 3:55
- “Racing” – 4:40
- “Hard Headed Woman” – 4:15
- “Roll Like the River” – 3:50
Complete List Of Mick Ronson Albums And Discography article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
Classicrockhistory.com claims ownership of all its original content and Intellectual property under United States Copyright laws and those of all other foreign countries. No one person, business, or organization is allowed to re-publish any of our original content anywhere on the web or in print without our permission. All photos used are either public domain Creative Commons photos or licensed officially from Shutterstock under license with ClassicRockHistory.com. All photo credits have been placed at the end of the article. Album Cover Photos are affiliate links and the property of Amazon and are stored on the Amazon server. Any theft of our content will be met with swift legal action against the infringing websites.