Ronnie Hawkins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ronnie Hawkins OC
Hawkins at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival
Background information
Birth name	Ronald Cornett Hawkins
Born	(1935-01-10)January 10, 1935 Huntsville, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	May 29, 2022(2022-05-29) (aged 87) Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Rockabilly rock and roll R&B country bluegrass
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1956–2022
Labels	Roulette Columbia Cotillion Monument Atlantic Polydor Pye United Artists Epic Cosmic Cowboy
Associated acts	The Band, Full Tilt Boogie Band, Crowbar, Bearfoot, Skylark, Robbie Lane and the Disciples, the Rock 'N' Roll Orchestra, the Revols

Ronald Cornett Hawkins (January 10, 1935 – May 29, 2022) was an American singer and songwriter. He spent most of his life in Canada. His music career lasted over 50 years.

Ronnie started his career in Arkansas, where he was born. He became very successful in Ontario, Canada, and lived there for most of his life. He helped shape rock music in Canada.

People called him "Rompin' Ronnie," "Mr. Dynamo," or "The Hawk." He was a big part of the 1960s rock scene in Toronto. He performed all over North America and recorded more than 25 albums. Some of his famous songs include "Forty Days" and "Mary Lou." He also had popular versions of "Who Do You Love?" and "Susie Q." His cousin, rockabilly artist Dale Hawkins, wrote "Susie Q."

Hawkins was also a talent scout. He helped many musicians who played in his band, The Hawks. Some of his band members later formed the famous group The Band. Other musicians he worked with went on to form Janis Joplin's Full Tilt Boogie Band and other groups. Even in his 60s, Ronnie Hawkins still performed about 150 shows a year.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Ronnie Hawkins was born on January 10, 1935, in Huntsville, Arkansas. His mother, Flora, was a teacher, and his father, Jasper, was a barber. In 1945, his family moved to Fayetteville. Ronnie finished high school there in 1952.

Music was important in Ronnie's family. His father, uncles, and cousins played music in the 1930s and 1940s. His cousin, Dale Hawkins, was one of the first white singers to perform at famous Black theaters like the Apollo Theater. Ronnie started singing at local fairs when he was 11. He even shared a stage with country music legend Hank Williams.

As a teenager, Ronnie transported goods illegally from Missouri to Oklahoma. He said this helped him earn money to buy into nightclubs. He formed his first band, The Hawks, in 1952. He then studied physical education at the University of Arkansas but left before graduating in 1956.

Ronnie joined the United States Army for six months. While in the Army, he heard an African American quartet play music. This experience made him realize he wanted to play a mix of blues and rockabilly. He joined the four musicians, and they called themselves the Blackhawks. They created exciting new sounds. However, some people in the 1950s American South did not like mixed-race bands.

After the Army, Hawkins went to Memphis. He recorded two demo songs, but they did not become hits. He then joined a band called The Hawks in Helena, Arkansas. This area was known for blues and country music.

Drummer Levon Helm joined The Hawks in 1957. Ronnie Hawkins was known for his energetic stage moves. He did back flips and a "camel walk." These moves earned him the nicknames "Rompin' Ronnie" and "Mr. Dynamo." Ronnie also owned a club in Fayetteville. Famous rock and roll pioneers like Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins played there.

After Levon Helm graduated high school, The Hawks moved to Canada. On April 13, 1959, they signed a record deal with Roulette Records. Their first song, "Forty Days," became a hit, reaching number 45 on the US pop charts. "Mary Lou" was also a big hit, reaching number 26.

Moving to Canada and The Hawks

Ronnie Hawkins and his band started touring Canada in 1958. They were told that Canadian audiences liked rockabilly music. Their first show was in Hamilton, Ontario. In 1959, he signed a five-year contract with Roulette Records. Working from Toronto, Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks recorded their first album, Ronnie Hawkins, in 1959. They recorded another album, Mr. Dynamo, in 1960.

Ronnie moved to Canada and became a permanent resident in 1964. He lived in Douro-Dummer for many years before moving to Peterborough, Ontario, in 2017. Ronnie Hawkins was a very important part of the Ontario music scene for over 40 years. He opened his own nightclub in Toronto called the Hawk's Nest.

After moving to Canada, most of the original Hawks left Ronnie's band. Only drummer Levon Helm stayed. New members joined, including Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson. These musicians later formed The Band.

David Clayton-Thomas, a Canadian singer, said he watched The Hawks play. He said young musicians would gather to listen to every note. This new version of The Hawks wore cool suits and had sharp haircuts. They were the best band playing at Le Coq d'Or, a lively bar in Toronto.

Robbie Robertson wrote in his book Testimony about seeing The Hawks play when he was 15. He described Ronnie's amazing stage moves. He said it was the most exciting rock and roll he had ever seen. He also noticed Levon Helm, calling him a "young beam of light on drums."

Robertson wanted to learn from The Hawks. He wrote two songs, "Someone Like You" and "Hey Boba Lu," and played them for Ronnie. Hawkins was impressed and recorded both songs for his album Mr. Dynamo.

In 1960, Robertson traveled to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to try out for The Hawks. Levon Helm showed him around the Deep South. Robertson learned many of the band's songs. He listened to records by Ray Charles, Howlin' Wolf, and Muddy Waters. His guitar playing was influenced by these blues artists.

In 1964, all The Hawks, including Helm, left Ronnie Hawkins to form their own group, which became The Band. They later became the backup band for Bob Dylan. Ronnie Hawkins continued to perform and record music.

Later Career and Achievements

In December 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono stayed at Ronnie Hawkins's home in Mississauga, Ontario. They were promoting world peace. Lennon even recorded a radio message for one of Hawkins's songs. Later, Lennon and Ono, with Ronnie and his wife, traveled to Montreal for their famous Bed-in for Peace. Ronnie also went with them to Ottawa to meet the prime minister.

In the early 1970s, Ronnie Hawkins discovered guitarist Pat Travers. He invited Travers to play in his band. Travers later became a very successful hard rock guitarist.

In 1975, Bob Dylan asked Hawkins to play a role in his movie, Renaldo and Clara. The next year, Ronnie performed at The Band's farewell concert in San Francisco. This concert was shown in the 1978 film The Last Waltz.

Ronnie's 1984 album, Making It Again, won him a Juno Award. This award recognized him as Canada's best Country Male Vocalist. Besides music, he also acted. He hosted his own TV show and appeared in movies like Heaven's Gate.

Hawkins in 2014

On January 10, 1995, Ronnie Hawkins celebrated his 60th birthday with a concert in Toronto. Famous musicians like Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis performed. The concert was recorded for the album Let It Rock.

Ronnie Hawkins's star on Canada's Walk of Fame

Later Life and Awards

In 2002, Ronnie Hawkins was diagnosed with a serious illness. He later recovered, which he called a miracle. His recovery was shown in the 2012 film Ronnie Hawkins: Still Alive and Kicking.

Ronnie Hawkins passed away on May 29, 2022, at the age of 87. He was survived by his wife, Wanda, and their children, Ronnie Jr., Robin, and Leah. Robin and Leah are also singers and songwriters.

Ronnie Hawkins received many awards for his music and his support for charities. On October 4, 2002, the city of Toronto declared it "Ronnie Hawkins Day." He was also added to Canada's Walk of Fame. In 2004, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame. The Rockabilly Hall of Fame also recognized his important contributions to music.

In 2005, he received an honorary degree from Laurentian University. On May 2, 2013, Ronnie Hawkins was named an Honorary Officer of the Order of Canada. This is a very high honor in Canada. He also won a Juno Award in 1984 and other special achievement awards.

Discography

Albums

Singles

See also

In Spanish: Ronnie Hawkins para niños