Mick Ronson - The Spider With The Platinum Hair by Mick Ronson

Author:Mick Ronson [Mick Ronson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781784189525
Publisher: Music Press
Published: 2015-12-16T05:00:00+00:00

Mick spent Christmas in England, reuniting with some of his mates from Hull. Trevor and Woody were busy recording their own album at Trident Studios, tagging themselves appropriately as The Spiders From Mars. Self-titled and released with candy-apple red printed artwork, the full-sized, raised spider image on the cover had an enticing marketing appeal.

Vocalist Pete McDonald and guitarist Dave Black, formerly of Kestrel (Newcastle-based Prog rockers) joined forces with Trevor and Woody, unleashing ten songs that swagger with more rock than stardust. The stardust that remains is thanks to Mike Garson’s contributions, which are found throughout the recording, most notably on the ballad ‘Stranger To My Door’. Trevor Bolder confirms “Mick did come to the studio once and played on a track with us. He played on a single that never got released called ‘Roller’.” Though the album was released with little fanfare, it proved to be an artistic and worthwhile endeavour, a traditional rock album that suited their aspirations. Worthy enough that Castle reissued The Spiders From Mars on CD in June 2000. Incidentally, Trevor later joined Uriah Heep and their version of the song ‘Roller’ turned up on the 1977 Innocent Victim album.

Mick returned to the States to team up with Dylan and the Rolling Thunder Revue for a second Hurricane Carter benefit concert on January 25th, Houston. The January date was a one-off show and the Revue took a break until April. During this time off Mick recorded with Roger McGuinn in Los Angeles for his upcoming May ’76 solo project titled Cardiff Rose, a terrific achievement featuring thirty-six minutes of classic McGuinn, complemented by covers of Dylan and Joni Mitchell. He was assisted by writers such as Jacques Levy, Kris Kristofferson and Bobby Neuwirth, while Mick played acoustic guitar, electric guitar, recorder, accordion, piano, organ, autoharp, percussion and provided vocals. Rolling Thunder Revue mates David Mansfield, Rob Stoner, Howie Wyeth, combined with Timmy Schmit (vocals) and Kim Hitchcroft (saxophone) added up to a classic effort from McGuinn that was hugely under-rated.

“He was a very gifted musician in all areas,” says Roger. “I really loved the way he treated ‘Jolly Roger’ and when he played ‘Chestnut Mare’, he made that horse fly!” Mick also produced the album and McGuinn comments: “I was delighted with how good a producer Mick was. I’d just been friends with him and hadn’t guessed at his hidden talent for production. I was very pleased with the results.” Suzi Ronson really enjoys this album too and agrees with Roger: “Mick did a great production on Cardiff Rose.”

The backing band for the Rolling Thunder Revue were collectively known as Guam and they would often perform a one-hour show before Dylan joined them on stage. Ronson’s solo in the Guam set was the aforementioned ‘Is There Life On Mars?’. Ronson and McGuinn had seriously discussed the possibility of forming a band with Wyeth, Stoner and Mansfield and taking it on the road in support of Cardiff Rose. Talk of a Ronson/McGuinn album was also on the table with Mick planning to use some of the Sundragon material.

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