Mick Ronson

Latest about Mick Ronson

Mick Ronson plays his iconic Gibson Les Paul Custom onstage in 1973.
The rise and fall of Mick Ronson – rock ’n’ roll’s most quietly spoken guitar hero

By Max Bell Published

In 1970, Mick Ronson changed the career of David Bowie, and went on to work with Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Morrissey, and more

5 Comments
Guitarists
David Bowie performs with a 12-string cutaway acoustic during the Sound and Vision Tour.
The genius of David Bowie’s guitar collabs in 9 classic tracks

By Guitar World Editors Published

Bowie’s most iconic six-string moments, featuring his all-star cast of top-tier players, from Mick Ronson to Stevie Ray Vaughan

Artists
Left–Adrian Belew, David Bowie, Vorst Natonaal, Brussels, Belgium, 11/06/1978; Right–Adrian Belew performs with 'David Bowie' at the Fresno Convention Center in Fresno, California on April 2, 1978
Adrian Belew on how he went from playing with Frank Zappa to joining David Bowie's band

By Janelle Borg Published

Belew would serve as Bowie’s lead guitarist between 1978 and 1979, before returning as his musical director in 1990

5 Comments
Guitarists
Mick Ronson
The post-Bowie career of Mick Ronson, rock ’n’ roll’s most quietly spoken guitar hero

By Mark McStea Published

Sure, he made a massive imprint on David Bowie’s classic early ’70s albums. But Mick Ronson also worked with Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Elton John, Roger McGuinn, Morrissey, Ian Hunter and many others

3 Comments
Guitarists
David Bowie and Earl Slick performing on David Bowies' Diamond Dogs Tour at the Boston Music Hall on November 15, 1974
Earl Slick on the fear he felt replacing a guitar icon – and how David Bowie calmed him down

By Matt Owen Published

Slick stepped into fill the spot in the mid 1970s, and thought he'd have a hard time winning over the fans and the media

Guitarists
Gibson Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Custom Collector's Edition
How Gibson made the ultimate tribute to David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson

By Neville Marten Published

This Collector’s Edition replica of Ronson’s Bowie-era ’68 Les Paul Custom transports you spiritually – and tonally – to the glory days of the Spiders from Mars (Hull) – but it does not come cheap

Electric Guitars
Gibson Mick Ronson 1968 Les Paul Custom Collector’s Edition
Gibson honors Mick Ronson with limited-edition recreation of his iconic David Bowie Les Paul

By Phil Weller Published

The release is limited to just 100 copies, celebrating that guitarist that helped immortalize a rock ’n’ roll icon

3 Comments
Electric Guitars
Gibson NAMM 2026 lineup
Gibson gives us a sneak preview of its 2026 guitars – including long-awaited signature models for two guitar legends

By Phil Weller Published

From ‘50s and ‘60s-inspired reissues to signature models for Mick Ronson, Michael Schenker, and Gary Clark Jr., it promises to be a big year for the historic firm

Guitars
Shane Fontayne playing a blue Stratocaster guitar onstage in 2019
Shane Fontayne on the kindness of Mick Ronson, serving the Boss – and playing Stairway for Jimmy Page

By Andrew Daly Published

His career highs include surprising Stevie Van Zandt with an improvised part, jamming with U2, and playing Stairway To Heaven with the Heart sisters while Jimmy Page was guest of honor

Guitarists
Dunlop Mick Ronson Cry Baby
MXR honors Mick Ronson with a signature Cry Baby reverse engineered from his vintage Italian wah

By Matt Owen Published

The legendary songwriter and guitarist was famed for his cocked-wah tone that helped shape the sound of some of Bowie's biggest hits

Effects & Pedals
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