Mick Ronson: The Spider with the Platinum Hair by Weird and Gilly Reviewed by Steve Rudd

Born and bred in Hull, Mick Ronson indeed did come from extremely humble beginnings to become one of Britain's most respected musicians and producers. Born in 1946, it was in the early seventies that Mick first became well known through his work with David Bowie, with ace guitarist Mick being one of the legendary Spiders From Mars. After the Spiders broke up and Bowie battled forth with the rest of his career (surrounded by a whole host of other musicians), Mick hardly shied away from the music industry. Instead, he released some brilliant solo material and even joined up with Mott The Hoople - although the latter project with Mott wasn't as much of a success as everybody involved hoped it would be.

Still, Mick - in his time as a Mott member - had forged a lifetime-lasting friendship with Ian Hunter, and both Mick and Ian were later renowned for their partnership and work together as a duo.

This book, The Spider With The Platinum Hair, chronicles Mick's life perfectly and in astute detail. Whoever the authors in Weird and Gilly really are, they've done a fantastic job of interviewing a great array of people that Mick worked with over the years, including Steve Harley and Joe Elliot (who are two of my favourite singers, and who are frontmen of Cockney Rebel and Def Leppard respectively). And the one common thing that seethes through all of the interview excerpts bowls along the lines of how kind and caring a man he was, in the vicinity both of fellow musicians and his many die-hard fans.

And even though his solo releases weren't as commercially successful as they deserved to be, albums such as Slaughter On 10th Avenue and Play Don't Worry are still held in very high regard by admirers of his music. Away from his solo career, Mick (who sadly died of cancer in 1993) was also a fantastic producer. Perusing the book's astonishing discography, it's impossible not to be amazed at how many great musicians he managed to work with in his short life... from Morrissey to The Wildhearts, John Mellencamp to Bob Dylan. And as this book - which is essentially a proud and true tribute to Mick in more ways than one - constantly re-iterates, he never ever developed an ego and to a large extent always somehow managed to act like the boy next door, regardless of the stars he'd been working with.

In truth, this is probably the most touching and comprehensive biography of a musician that I've ever read, and it also focuses on the grand tribute concerts that were held in Mick's memory after his death... concerts that were held in London, Hull and Japan - and that involved his mum and sister heartily when it came down to the gigs' organisation.

Before reading this book I must admit that I knew next to nothing about Mick (despite being a massive fan of David Bowie and the songwriting and performing that Mick did with David). Having read the book though, I feel like something of an expert on his life, and this is because the book is so well researched and written. And now I have nothing but respect for Mick and I honestly can't wait to trawl around the music shops (in his hometown of Hull of all places, where he is buried) in search of his solo albums, and then the great many albums that he produced. RIP, Mick Ronson. An amazing musician and all-round good Samaritan of your caliber comes around but once a very long while indeed. ISBN 0-9539942-3-6 (first published in 2003 by Independent Music Press) www.impbooks.com

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