Mick Ronson and Lou Reed on Transformer

From www.theoriginalmickronson.com:
Lou Reed's album, Transformer, was Mick Ronson's first co-production with David Bowie. Transformer was Reed's second album after having left the Velvet Underground. While not given formal credit for his role, Reed credited Ronson for his production work on the album citing Mick as "an incredible guitar player, a great producer and great arranger: a lovely man." The album yielded the single, "Walk On The Wild Side" and led to a relationship with drummer Richie Dharma who'd later tour with Ronson as well as play on his solo albums. Interviewed in 1990 in Goldmine magazine, Ronson recalled of the sessions:
We were pretty sharp and that's how records were made back then. Records were done very quickly. I mean, when David and I produced Lou Reed's Transformer, we recorded the whole thing in 10 days, six hours a day. We recorded the whole thing in 60 hours and it was mixed and that was it.

[@toronto55]

Ronson was fundamental to arguably the most musically-important era of Bowie's career.Another great guitarist gone too soon.Saw him in Toronto with Ian Hunter; excellent! Hats off to you,Mick.

[@JLC48]

I'm sitting here right now listening to Lou and MIck's 'Perfect Day' on an AT&T commercial while watching the Olympics. Mick's piano and vocals choke me up...such talent and such a lovely man. Peaceful rest Mick...we miss you.

[@bobgure]

Ahh yes. The best part of the "Classic Albums - Transformer" doc. is when Reed is listening back to the master of "Satelitte.." and it's beautiful, transcendant orchestration and sighs,"Woooofh...Ronson...". This record was the supreme collaboration and as close to pop perfection as you can ask for. Rono!!!!

[@lens2optic]

mick ronson took bowies demos and turned them into what they are....his arrangements and playing were inspirational.

[@8eatm0nster]

Mick - he was just so nice, never lost his down-to-earth accent or outlook. Play on, Angel No. 9...

[@madeleinehague3247]

'Miss you, Mick Ronson. Happy Celestial Birthday. (May 26, 1946 - Apr. 29, 1993)

[@brayrrero]

Mick Ronson one of the best guitarist ever

[@JLC48]

Love his Hull accent too Paul1...love the man!! One of a kind and sorely missed!!

[@Andrewwarrior]

On the Transformer DVD just after this section - Reed plays the multi track in the studio and listens to the string arrangement - and you can see him totally absorbed and stunned by the beauty of Ronsons arrangement and he just said something like 'Wow Mick Ronson" with a ghenuine look of adnmiration in his eyes... Rock on Mick

[@familydogg1234]

The first and last time I saw Hunter Ronson in 1989 Ronno sang " White Light White Heat". RIP Reed Ronson

[@Straker1923]

Mick and Lou RIP Legends!

[@VinceVerasLobo]

Grande Mick Ronson, guitarrista espetacular !!!!

[@ginghamt.c.5973]

Mick Ronson - a true working class hero. Ronno from Hull was a brilliant musician / Producer / Arranger and much more for sure.

[@RoverenderAlligator]

I saw Mick with Ian Hunter too, at the Hammersmith Odeon. I wasn't really into Mott & just went because my friend had tickets & watched pretty half-heartedly. Afterwards, when my friend mentioned him I said "What, that was Mick Ronson??"..............DOHH!!!! I got into Bowie a little too late for Ziggy & hadn't seen Mick perform before. Love his Lou Reed impersonation.

[@annjohansson4177]

He was Great Micke Ronson ❤️🌟🌹

[@Nome_utente_generico]

1 of the best rock documentary I've ever seen; try to find & see the part about Satellite of Love, listen to the vocals David Bowie did for that song: just amazing !

[@WhiteBoy41]

Rono was the Man !!!! Under rated.. A Rock God as far as I am concerned. Kicked Ass !!!

[@bobgure]

I miss you Mick. You made the guitar snarl, scream and vomit like no one else. My hero.

[@bluebeanbaby]

Transformer is on my top ten list...always

[@az979az]

i love that guy

[@Sandragoldenlee]

I met and spent time with him in my bad girl groupie days. He was a sweetheart. i was devastated to hear of his demise years later.

[@casimono68]

@moondough ,AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!GUITARIST, R.I.P

[@mashamorgan]

Pete McDonald who was lead vocals for the Spiders in 76 told me the same, Mick was a whizzkid at arrangements, he also loved the sound he got from that Les Paul in the studio, Trident if i remember right.

[@ronnola]

Ronno looks like an angel. Tired beautiful angel... By the way - a lot of people who died of liver cancer didn't drink at all.

[@Sandragoldenlee]

I met and spent time with him in my bad girl groupie days. He was indeed a sweetheart. I was devastated when I heard of his demise years later. I think he was thirty when I met him. At least that's what he told me.

[@Reint25]

He reminds me a lot of how Paul Weller looks nowadays. He's incredibly handsome as well... I heard his version of Bowie's Soul Love. The guitar-playing was mesmerising.

[@KCJeffro]

David Fricke, from Rolling Stone

[@heatdeb]

You see lou amazed by micks arrangement.

[@salvadormarley]

Never thought i'd hear Lou Reed talking about a Hull Accent. :)

[@stever128]

From the above intro - On the CD I have of Transformer Mick Ronson is credited with Production. David's work up to the PinUps release was really grand however I do think he peaked later. The amazing thing about David was that you can determine when he peaked based on what frame of mind you are in at the time. I do not know of any other musicians I could say that about. It is also a shame that in any Mick Ronson blog David takes as much space. Sorry Ronno RIP.

[@McRonson]

Missed out Lou's awestruck comments on Ronson's production when he listens back to Satelite of

[@RandallJonesey]

Yes, Ronson arranged about everything on Bowie's and Reed's albums (of the time). He could do written music, for the sake of hired strings - listen to Starman or Life on Mars e.g. He has rightfully had recognition for this, but it is saddening that he hasn't been recognised as the co-writer of the Bowie songs, which he, I'm pretty sure of, was. Bowie was a spunge, absorbing any bit of talent from his fellow man that he could, then he went on to the next talented co-worker. No loyalty there...

[@Jeffro321]

That guy is Mr. Clean!

[@354sd]

well said hannah

[@voozoo62]

Sounds like you've got good taste!

[@ivankaramasov]

He was not a co-writer, whereever did you get that from? In fact, Rick Wakeman told a story about Bowie playing him the whole Hunky Dory album before it was recorded. Also if you listen to demos for songs for Ziggy Stardust (with only Bowie playing) you will hear that the songs are very similar to the finished ones, except for the arrangements which obviously became more elaborated.

[@lazyriver2]

My twelve-yr-old son tells me that Bowie's Berlin Trilogy is superior to the string of genius from Hunky to Aladin. The kid is just a kid. Ronson shows up and electrifies Bowie's sound, the perfect combo of writer and musician. After Ronson goes, Bowie becomes a dancing queen, still potent, but a shadow of his golden era, '72-'75. Trying to be black never really works, even for some black guys, but especially for pale Englishmen. It would have been nice to see Bowie, Ronson, and Reed do abumm 2.

[@voozoo62]

Seems all the best Guitarists have either gone or are on the way out. Now we're inundated with technique heads. Groan!!!!

[@HWynn87]

@moondough Not to mention Roger McGuinn, Slaughter and the Dogs and John Mellencamp.

[@Moparmal]

Ronson did a great version of Reeds Velvet's classic as well - White light White Heat - a really funky "glam" style riff - and a murderously economical solo at the end. His economy of notes, and his use of sustain makes him one fothe best 10 Rock Guitarists ever in my book. - (I can't stand these techno 10000mph hour guys..really boring. And that's not forgetting he was a white hot arranger as well !

[@moongazed777gmailcom]

so he is gone???? that is truly f####ked up I cannot believe that bowie did not even perform a concert in memorie if mic R.I.P could you let me know if he did..

[@WhiteBoy41]

He swayed when he played. He was a rock icon and one of the best guitar players. What a rip off he was taken so soon.

[@snuffelsuf]

does anyone know who that FIRST guy is :as SOON as This video STARTS?

[@beastieboy9286]

David fricke rolling stone/ spin magazine journalist

[@uitham]

find lou reed transformer lp on e-bay rocks off

[@ivankaramasov]

Hunky Dory came after The Man Who Sold the World. I don't know what Ronson got paid. Forty dollars a week seem like a very low sum, though taking inflation into account it would be about 10-15 times as much today, which is still a very modest amount. However, all Bowie's business in the beginning of the 70s were taken care of by his manager Tone DeFries who got away with almost all Bowie's earnings. The fact is that before Let's Dance Bowie was not a very wealthy man.

[@AnthonyDelRay]

No Bowie as we know him without Ronson. Nobody could of played like that for Bowie it accelerated his career bigtime. Lou playing out of tune? ...never ;)

[@OrochiAngel666]

Ronno was god

[@brookdalebill]

Lou Reed...microtalent!

[@8eatm0nster]

you lost me...

[@BenCulture]

Yes, the Ziggy Stardust album is the only one that feels perfect and complete to me. Hunky Dory is damn good, but there are songs I have to skip on that one. And "Heroes", for me, after the title track I lose interest (and he should never have even MADE that horrible single edit of "Heroes"! Listening to that version is like eating a sandwich, but not being allowed to actually swallow any of it!

[@ivankaramasov]

And I am not in any way denying that Ronson was important as a guitarist, band leader, and arranger, but it is just ridiculous to try to imply that he was more important than Bowie. Bowie would also go on to demonstrate that he was perfectly capable to make great music (even greater in my opinion) without the help of Ronson.

[@cocozhang270]

But with the help from Eno?

[@ivankaramasov]

@@cocozhang270 Help from Eno on some albums and from others on other albums. Bowie was always extraordinarily good at picking collaborators. He let people co-create, but he was ultimately the director.