Mick Ronno's Backstory

[guitar_voodoo]

Before Mick met Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars he was out of the spotlight altogether. After leaving school at sixteen, Mick went to work for an orchestra company in the North of England, where he grew up. Being able to play a variety of orchestral instruments such as the violin and cello; he dreamt of making it big in the orchestral world. But, it wasn't meant to be. In the end he had to apply for the job of stage hand at concerts and the like. It was mostly due to him coming from a working class background. Many Northerners didn't get to make it big a lot. A lot of manual work was needed to set up concerts, lifting heavy sets and equipment for the show to go on. In his spare time he often practiced on his string instruments including the acoustic guitar, often showing off to his friends which he made at his job.

As well as stringed instruments, Mick could play the recorder, piano and even the harmonium. A very talented man but out of where he really wanted to be. Under the spotlight and the man in front of the set, rather than to be behind it. He'd often practice guitar in his dad's garage until late into the night, where the neighbours would often tell the lad to turn it down.

Ah, the joys of being a musician.

Into his mid twenties and Mick was still helping out at the orchestra company, not really finding the spotlight. This was when he decided he wanted to go into rock, since electric guitars were quite popular among young men of his age. Besides, he'd seen loads of good acts on the television and on the radio. He wanted in. But where to start?

It was then he decided to change jobs and work at a music store in his local town, since the orchestra company decided to move elsewhere. Re-locating to London. The owner of the music shop then told Mick about auditioning for a man known as Ziggy Stardust. Apparently, he was looking for talent down in London. It was a far-fetched but tempting job offer since Mick wanted to broaden his horizons. He knew he'd never get to show off his true talent working behind the scenes or stuck selling guitars all his life. Taking the chance he headed down to London. Renting out a flat, he became a resident, knowing that it could be make or break with this Ziggy character.

The day of the audition came as Mick finally sat down and met with Ziggy. What a guy indeed! Mick found out that Ziggy was looking for a lead guitarist, a bassist and a drummer. He wanted to be the lead guitarist and by some luck he was hired on the same day since he'd wowed Ziggy with his guitar-playing skills. Now, he was getting somewhere and the spotlight and stage seemed closer than ever. After a few days, Mick met with Weird and Gilly, the other guys. They seemed decent blokes and Mick had found out that both men knew each other and Weird was bassist and Gilly was drums. As for the name of the band? That was Ziggy's decision. The guy looked like an alien and Mick secretly guessed that this was for the benefit of the fans. He was really out there.

The Spiders from Mars.

This was going to be the name for Ziggy's band and Mick was lead guitarist. At last. His chance at the spotlight and the stage. He was going to be famous. No doubt his mum and dad back home in the North would be proud of their little boy.