Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story Soundtrack Drops Like a Spider from Mars

Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story wiped the makeup off the legendary and influential guitarist, to reveal a working class virtuoso. Mick Ronson wasn’t only David Bowie’s guitarist, he was his arranger and co-conspirator.  UMe will release Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story, The Soundtrack on June 8. The soundtrack is the first official career retrospective compilation for the guitar virtuoso as well as highlights from Ronson’s solo records.

Former rock manager and Bowie insider Jon Brewer, who also directed the documentaries BB King: The Life of Riley, Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark, Jimi Hendrix: Guitar Hero, The Most Dangerous Band in The World, had unprecedented access for the guitarist’s life story.

“Mick Ronson was a guitarist with a sound like no other,” The Guardian noted. “Between 1970 and 1974, he was the musical genius behind David Bowie’s greatest run of albums, The Man Who Sold the World, Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, and Pin Ups. Not only did he play guitar, he wrote the arrangements, baroque soundscapes that perfectly complemented Bowie’s vision.”

Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story features exclusive narration by David Bowie and exclusive contributions by Rick Wakeman, Joe Elliott, Roger Taylor, Ian Hunter and Angie Bowie.

“As a rock duo, I thought we were every bit as good as Mick and Keith, or Axl and Slash. Ziggy and Mick were the personification of that rock & roll dualism,” Bowie apprises in the documentary.

Ronson, known affectionately as “Ronno,” also put his deft fingers on the works of Elton John, Ian Hunter and Mott The Hoople, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Morrissey, John Mellencamp Michael Chapman and Queen. The film is a tribute to an uncomplicated man who achieved the pinnacle of success in the music industry as well as the rarefied respect from his contemporaries for his production and guitar skills.  

The upcoming soundtrack includes a previously unreleased cover version of “This Is For You” by Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott and a piano tribute to Ronson from Bowie’s piano-man and band alumni Mike Garson, who played with Bowie, Nine Inch Nails and Smashing Pumpkins.

Ronson was largely commercially overlooked despite his direct contribution and pivotal involvement in countless iconic compositions of David Bowie and The Spiders from Mars. Ronson passed away in 1993 before receiving the recognition he so richly deserved before taking that final bow, as seen on film, at his last show. He had been making a solo album at the time, which was subsequently finished by his contemporaries.

Ronson’s humble beginnings underpinned his values and modest, unpretentious personality. Originally working with Hull City Council while he pursued his craft with consummate dedication, word of his talent reached Bowie who grabbed at the chance to work with Ronson, and from there rock history was made. “The Man Who Sold the World”, ‘Aladdin Sane’ “Hunky Dory”, “Jean Genie, all were constructed with Ronno on guitar. In 1974, he was voted #2 ‘Best Guitarist’ in Cream magazine. Eric Clapton came in third.

Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story, The Soundtrack track list:

1.    Queen, Ian Hunter, David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Joe Elliott & Phil Collen – “All The Young Dudes” (Live)

Recorded live at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert For AIDS Awareness, April 20, 1992 at Wembley Stadium, London

2.     Michael Chapman – “Soulful Lady”

Originally appeared on Fully Qualified Survivor (1970)

3.     Elton John – “Madman Across The Water”

Originally appeared on Rare Masters (1992)

4.     David Bowie – “Moonage Daydream”

Originally appeared on The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)

5.     David Bowie – “Cracked Actor”

Originally appeared on Aladdin Sane (1973)

6.     David Bowie – “Time”

Originally appeared on Aladdin Sane (1973)

7.     Ian Hunter – Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Originally appeared on Ian Hunter (1975)

8.     Mick Ronson – “I’d Give Anything To See You”

Originally appeared on Just Like This (1999)

9.     Mick Ronson – “Hard Life”

Originally appeared on Just Like This (1999)

10.  Mick Ronson – “Midnight Love”

Originally appeared on Heaven and Hull (1994)

11.  Mick Ronson – Like A Rolling Stone

Originally appeared on Heaven and Hull (1994)

12.  Joe Elliott – “This Is For You” *

13.  Queen, David Bowie and Mick Ronson – “Heroes” (Live)

Recorded live at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness, April 20, 1992 at Wembley Stadium, London

14.  Mike Garson – “Tribute To Mick Ronson” *

* Previously Unreleased

Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story, The Soundtrack will be released on June 8.