Ronnie Dawson (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ronnie Dawson
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ronald Monroe Dawson |
| Born | August 11, 1939 Dallas, Texas |
| Died | September 30, 2003 (aged 64) Dallas, Texas |
| Genres | Rock and roll, rockabilly, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, guitarist |
| Years active | 1959–2002 |
Ronald Monroe Dawson (born August 11, 1939 – died September 30, 2003) was a cool American musician. He was a singer, guitarist, and drummer. People called him The Blond Bomber because of his hair. He was very popular in the 1950s in his home area. Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, he became famous all over the world.
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Early Life and Music
Ronald Monroe Dawson was born in Dallas, Texas. His dad, Pinkie Dawson, led a western swing band. They were called the Manhattan Merrymakers. Ronnie's family later moved to Waxahachie.
Ronnie learned to play many instruments. He could play the guitar, bass, and drums. He loved rock and roll music. He even won a local talent contest for the Future Farmers of America.
Starting His Music Career
In 1956, Ronnie started his first band. They were called Ronnie Dee & the D-Men. They often played on the Big D Jamboree radio show in Dallas.
Their first song was "Action Packed" in 1958. It was released on the Back Beat label. Ronnie's voice sounded younger than he was. He toured with Gene Vincent and appeared on TV. But the song was only popular in his local area.
His next song, "Rockin' Bones", came out in 1959. It was credited to Ronnie Dawson "The Blond Bomber". This song also did not become a big hit.
Ronnie played with the Light Crust Doughboys band. This was from 1957 to 1960. He even released a song with them and harmonica player Delbert McClinton. This song was by Johnny & the Jills.
Becoming a Teen Idol
Later, Ronnie signed with Dick Clark's Swan label. Dick Clark tried to make him a teen idol. Ronnie appeared on American Bandstand.
His pop songs "Hazel" and "Summer's Comin'" were popular in Pittsburgh. But Ronnie later said he didn't like these songs much.
New Bands and Jingles
Ronnie went back to Texas. He worked as a session guitarist and drummer. He played on famous songs like "Hey! Baby" by Bruce Channel. He also played on "Hey Paula" by Paul and Paula.
He also recorded his own songs. Some were under the name Commonwealth Jones. In the mid-1960s, he joined a folk music group. They were called the Levee Singers. They made three albums with Ronnie. They also appeared on TV shows.
Ronnie left the group in the late 1960s. He then formed a country rock band called Steel Rail. They played in Texas clubs all through the 1970s. Ronnie also recorded short songs called jingles. These were for commercials on radio.
International Fame and Later Years
In the 1980s, rockabilly music became popular again. This was especially true in England. Bands like the Cramps helped. They even covered Ronnie's song "Rockin' Bones".
This led Ronnie to tour Britain in 1986. Many of his old songs were re-released on CD. He also recorded new music. He made albums like More Bad Habits in the 1990s. He toured a lot in Europe and the US. Some of his early songs were even used in movies.
In 1995, Ronnie asked The Vibro Champs to be his live band. They toured together. In 1998, Ronnie Dawson was honored. He was added to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Ronnie kept performing even after he got throat cancer. He passed away in Dallas on September 30, 2003. He was 64 years old.
