Mick Ronson – The Guitar Soul of Ziggy Stardust
Photo: Unknown photographer / RCA archive / editorial use
Mick Ronson was far more than “Bowie’s guitarist”. He was the sonic engine of the Ziggy Stardust era — the musician who gave glam rock its raw power, emotional depth, and melodic elegance.
Where David Bowie brought the extraterrestrial persona and conceptual vision, Ronson delivered volume, precision, and soul. Together, they formed one of the most iconic creative partnerships in rock history.
- Name: Mick Ronson
- Born: 26 May 1946 (Kingston upon Hull, England)
- Died: 29 April 1993 (London, England)
- Role: Guitarist, arranger, producer
- With Bowie: 1970–1973
- Key eras: Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust
- Known for: Guitar work & orchestral arrangements
Joining Bowie and shaping the sound
Ronson joined Bowie in the early 1970s and immediately left a deep imprint. On The Man Who Sold the World, his heavier guitar textures and darker tone marked a decisive shift toward hard rock.
That foundation fully bloomed on Hunky Dory and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, where Ronson’s role expanded far beyond guitar.
Arranger, architect, and emotional force
Ronson was also responsible for some of Bowie’s most iconic string arrangements, including those for “Life on Mars?” and “Moonage Daydream”.
By weaving classical elegance into glam rock, he helped elevate Bowie’s songs from pop compositions into cinematic statements.
Live chemistry and Ziggy Stardust
On stage, the Bowie–Ronson partnership became legendary. While Bowie, as Ziggy, pushed the boundaries of gender, theatre, and rock performance, Ronson stood beside him as a charismatic, grounding presence.
Their on-stage interaction — leaning into each other, sharing microphones, exchanging energy — produced some of the most enduring images in rock history.
After Ziggy
After the end of the Ziggy era, their paths diverged, but Ronson’s influence remained unmistakable.
He went on to work with Lou Reed, Mott the Hoople, Bob Dylan, and later artists from the alternative scene, earning respect as both musician and producer.
Bowie’s reflection on Ronson
Bowie later spoke with deep affection and gratitude about Ronson, emphasising how crucial Mick had been to the success of Ziggy.
While Bowie continually reinvented himself, Ronson remained fixed in memory as the fiery, loyal presence who made the Ziggy universe believable and emotionally grounded.
Legacy
Mick Ronson passed away in 1993, far too soon. Yet his sound lives on.
Every time “Starman”, “Moonage Daydream”, or “Hang On to Yourself” plays, Ronson’s guitar remains inseparable from Bowie’s voice — part of Bowie’s DNA and part of an entire generation’s soundtrack.