Written by Ronson, with Scott Richardson, this was possibly the most commercial of all the tracks - yet was overlooked as an A-side in favour of the old Elvis Presley standard, "Love Me Tender", for single vinyl release. As such, with hindsight, it was perhaps bound to fail. Had this B-side been promoted as a chart target in its own right, Ronson's solo ambitions may have taken a turn for the better.
Instead, however, the ex-Spider from Mars became a latter-day 'wandering minstrel', popping up on Seventies projects as varied as ex-Mottman Ian Hunter's own solo forays, Roy Harper's "Blood From A Stone" album, Bob Dylan's "Hard Rain" LP, and Roger Daltrey's 'The Who' breakaway attempt, "One Of The Boys". Here, he is supported by his old Spider pal Trevor Bolder on bass guitar, Spiders replacement sticksman Aynsley Dunbar on drums, and even sister Maggi among backing vocals!
Shame he didn't really make it big. My personal opinion only - what Mick, Trevor, and Woody needed to do was keep the Spiders from Mars name going, right from the parting of the ways with Bowie, without a break. However, the lot of them, Bowie included, were absolutely exhausted by the time the Hammersmith endgig came. Woody chucked his drumsticks out of the pram and flounced off in his stack-heels, leaving Aynsley Dunbar to complete the final months of their contractual obligations.
Instead, Bowie's management took up Ronno as a solo enterprise, keeping Bolder and Dunbar, and also Mike Garson on keyboards, and more or less let Bowie mothball the Spiders name. Until 2 or 3 years later, when Bolder and Woodmansey obtained the rights to the name, drafted in a couple of guys, and set about writing some pretty ordinary tunes, to be honest. I firmly believe that if Mick had kept a spot as lead guitarist/singer with a rejuvenated Spiders, they would have made it BIG a 2nd time.
@leejohnson Ha. No, I agree with everything you've said. You're quite right. When I say Rono was a star, I mean, to me. There have been very few lead guitarist that make me feel the way his sound did.
@SueSkinner Well, I would say the real tragedy was in the 90s. I don't recall any whispers about his drinking habits. Perhaps his liver was just susceptible to cell malign. Who knows? Whatever the truth, a shining talent was lost.
@HarryMetcalfe Ah, yes, but if you lived in the early Seventies and had that hairstyle, you honestly would not have complained about the female attention you invariably got. I had the Ziggy cut, and I was quite happy with that, thank you very much. LOL :)
14 Comments (since 15 Feb 2013)
leejohnson
Written by Ronson, with Scott Richardson, this was possibly the most commercial of all the tracks - yet was overlooked as an A-side in favour of the old Elvis Presley standard, "Love Me Tender", for single vinyl release. As such, with hindsight, it was perhaps bound to fail. Had this B-side been promoted as a chart target in its own right, Ronson's solo ambitions may have taken a turn for the better.
leejohnson
Instead, however, the ex-Spider from Mars became a latter-day 'wandering minstrel', popping up on Seventies projects as varied as ex-Mottman Ian Hunter's own solo forays, Roy Harper's "Blood From A Stone" album, Bob Dylan's "Hard Rain" LP, and Roger Daltrey's 'The Who' breakaway attempt, "One Of The Boys". Here, he is supported by his old Spider pal Trevor Bolder on bass guitar, Spiders replacement sticksman Aynsley Dunbar on drums, and even sister Maggi among backing vocals!
leejohnson
Ronson died of liver cancer on April 29th 1993, at the age of 46. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mick_Ronson
BertrandRustles
Amazing track and one of my most played 7" singles as a kid. BOTH sides. Rono was a star.
leejohnson
Shame he didn't really make it big. My personal opinion only - what Mick, Trevor, and Woody needed to do was keep the Spiders from Mars name going, right from the parting of the ways with Bowie, without a break. However, the lot of them, Bowie included, were absolutely exhausted by the time the Hammersmith endgig came. Woody chucked his drumsticks out of the pram and flounced off in his stack-heels, leaving Aynsley Dunbar to complete the final months of their contractual obligations.
leejohnson
Instead, Bowie's management took up Ronno as a solo enterprise, keeping Bolder and Dunbar, and also Mike Garson on keyboards, and more or less let Bowie mothball the Spiders name. Until 2 or 3 years later, when Bolder and Woodmansey obtained the rights to the name, drafted in a couple of guys, and set about writing some pretty ordinary tunes, to be honest. I firmly believe that if Mick had kept a spot as lead guitarist/singer with a rejuvenated Spiders, they would have made it BIG a 2nd time.
leejohnson
My personal opinion only, @BertrandRustles.
MsSue
One of the tragedies of the 70s
BertrandRustles
@leejohnson Ha. No, I agree with everything you've said. You're quite right. When I say Rono was a star, I mean, to me. There have been very few lead guitarist that make me feel the way his sound did.
kemiladashdot
@leejohnson @BertrandRustles Universally defined as a star or not, he is universally loved that's for sure.
stumbelina
amazing record
leejohnson
@SueSkinner Well, I would say the real tragedy was in the 90s. I don't recall any whispers about his drinking habits. Perhaps his liver was just susceptible to cell malign. Who knows? Whatever the truth, a shining talent was lost.
HarryMetcalfe
great record, terrible barnet
leejohnson
@HarryMetcalfe Ah, yes, but if you lived in the early Seventies and had that hairstyle, you honestly would not have complained about the female attention you invariably got. I had the Ziggy cut, and I was quite happy with that, thank you very much. LOL :)