In 1970, Mick Ronson was a gardener. Two days later, he was David Bowie’s guitarist
Mick Ronson went from working as a municipal gardener in Hull to joining David Bowie as his guitarist in 1970. Their musical partnership helped shape Bowie’s sound, turning rough demos into ambitious rock arrangements and contributing to songs such as ‘Moonage Daydream’.
Bowie’s drummer, John Cambridge, persuaded Ronson to travel to London and meet Bowie and producer Tony Visconti. After arriving in February, Ronson played with Bowie at a Radio One session just two days after their first meeting at the Marquee; Visconti recalled that Ronson quickly understood the songs and impressed the pair with his playing.
- Ronson joined Bowie after working as a gardener.
- He played with Bowie two days after meeting him.
- Their partnership helped define Bowie’s 1970s sound.
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David Bowie was a London-based singer and songwriter whose early recordings were moving towards a more ambitious rock sound. Mick Ronson, from Hull, had played in local bands and was working as a council gardener when Bowie’s drummer, John Cambridge, encouraged him to meet Bowie.
Producer Tony Visconti helped Bowie develop the recordings, while Ronson’s guitar and musical ideas added to the arrangements. Ronson went on to become a central member of Bowie’s backing band, the Spiders from Mars, and their collaboration shaped songs including “Moonage Daydream.”