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| (Pic by Lance) |
It's very sad to receive the news that trumpeter and vocalist Ronnie Young passed away recently. Ronnie was active for many years on the local jazz scene - I first met him in the New Orleans Club in the 60's when he ran a band on Monday nights.
He joined up with the Phoenix Jazzmen later and remained for about five years until it disbanded, when he started a very successful Sunday lunchtime session in the back bar of the Turks Hotel in Grey Street.
I remember he also turned up at the San Sebastian Jazz Festival where I got roped in to play trombone with him because his trombonist didn't turn up! Ronnie was a lovely gentle man, never downcast or gloomy, always ready to make the best of the situation.
Sadly missed. Gordon Solomon.
This pic shows Ronnie (far left) with Gordon Solomon, Sting and John Hedley who supplied the photo. Lance
4 comments :
Sad news indeed! The photo was taken at the City Vaults in the Bigg Market circa 1980.
Re San Sebastian - well remembered, or should I say, half remembered -travelling overland to Spain in Kevin Savin's Dormobile. That was some trip!
Ronnie Young, Charlie Carmichael, Andy Hudson, Kevin and myself all cooped up in that small space for 3 or 4 days fortified by cheap plonk from French supermarkets. We had some laughs. For some unknown reason Ronnie would suddenly start singing The Sun has got his hat on hip, hip,hip hooray and from then on I'd always relate that song with Ronnie - along with King of the Swingers. One of life's characters!
Very sad news. Ronnie was indeed a very likeable character but difficult to keep in touch with as he never got around to having a telephone installed never mind internet. I’ve still got the record of him doing King of the Swingers that Soli did with him, Charlie Carmichael, Don Eddy, John Hadley, and myself at Dave Woods studios. Does anyone know when the funeral is?
I think the funeral was yesterday - a private family affair. Maybe there will be a wake later. Strangely enough, one of the last times I recall seeing Ronnie (off the band stand) was at a bar in Whitley Bay for his divorce party! King of the Swingers? - Ronnie was the Emperor of them!
Sorry to here that Ronnie Young has passed away. I have not seen him for years and now, out of the blue, he has passed away and another one is gone - R.I.P.
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