Sad news, Ronnie Montrose passed away Saturday...rest in peace Ronnie...
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/ne...at-64-20120304
Sad news, Ronnie Montrose passed away Saturday...rest in peace Ronnie...
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/ne...at-64-20120304
One of my best friends, Chris, was good friends with Ronnie and built a few guitars for him. At the NAMM show in 2005, Chris and I walked around with Ronnie for a couple of hours, you would never have guessed that he was anything but some guy who was really into guitars and recording. I hung back and let them do most of the talking, after all I didn't really know him, but he was very nice and you could tell he really loved everything about playing the guitar. A couple of years later he called Chris with a question about removing a Taylor ES pickup from a guitar he had and Chris referred him to me, so for a while I had Ronnie's home and studio phone numbers. When he called the first time and I answered the phone it was a little surreal to hear the voice on the other end say, "Hi Joe, This is Ronnie Montrose, Chris told me you could help me out." Back in the '70s, when I was really into rock music, especially guitar players, a moment like that would have seemed impossible. Thank goodness I had long ago gotten over my "awe of rocks gods" phase and I was able to speak to him without making a fool of myself.
May he rest in peace.
Last edited by Joe Mendel; Mar-05-2012 at 11:24am.
I have to admit to having been pretty ignorant about his body of work, though aware of him, but thanks to the wiki I am suitably impressed - mostly by all the session work. He contributed to one of my favorite albums, "Tupelo Honey," and "Listen To The Lion," recorded during those sessions, ended up on Van Morrison's next release, "St. Dominic's Preview," also a fine album. If someone who is more conversant about his mandolin work would be so kind as to post some examples I would appreciate it, and I'm sure so would a lot of others. Thanks in advance, and godspeed, Ronnie - you left us but you left a legacy.
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
Furthering Mandolin Consciousness
Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!
R.I.P. Ronnie, Darn good guitar player
Jim Richmond
Great story, Joe! Like you, as a young man I was in awe of RM after the release of "Montrose". 1973 seems like yesterday...
Dave
Yes, very cool story Joe! I know I wore out my first Montrose album, it was definitely a classic. Ronnie burning up the fretboard, and Sammy in his prime...it just doesn't get much better than that.
Another amazing musician gone to the great gig in the sky.
For a bit of mandolin content, on his Open Fire album he played mandolin and mandocello on the third cut, Mandolinia, and Chris told me, within the last few years, Ronnie had a mandola that he was playing. I don't know the particulars of any of those instruments.
Deleted double post!
OK, here we go - synthesizer and mandolins from 1978.
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
Furthering Mandolin Consciousness
Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!
'A Concert for Ronnie Montrose--A Celebration of His Life in Music' Set for April 27
- Guitar Player Magazine
c.1965 Harmony Monterey H410 Mandolin
"What a long, strange trip it's been..." - Robert Hunter
"Life is too important to be taken seriously." - Oscar Wilde
Think Hippie Thoughts...
Gear: The Current Cast of Characters
Wow, thanks, Ed! I would have missed that announcement, and that's a local show for me. Montrose was an early influence on my rock side, and I also wore the first album flat (literally!), only to buy another copy, and then years later the CD. I'm going to do my best to get to that tribute show! Thanks again.
Think globally, bike locally.
No problem! I'm glad I remembered this thread when I read the announcement.
That first Montrose album is a classic!
c.1965 Harmony Monterey H410 Mandolin
"What a long, strange trip it's been..." - Robert Hunter
"Life is too important to be taken seriously." - Oscar Wilde
Think Hippie Thoughts...
Gear: The Current Cast of Characters
Ugh. That concert SOLD OUT, probably before you even wrote the message. C'est la Vie. Now I'll have to start listening to the rock stations to see if I can win tix.
Think globally, bike locally.
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