Ronnie Simmons is an Australian born rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer from Newtown Sydney.
Ronnie is currently the guitarist in legendary Australian rock band Rose Tattoo, for Richie Ramone (The Ramones fastest, loudest and most powerful drummer) and fronting Ronnie Simmons and The Redback Spiders.
Raised on the music of The Easybeats, The Who & Rolling Stones as a child, then influenced by AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, The Ramones and Kiss in his early teens. Ronnie began playing guitar at 10 years old, and started performing by busking on King Street in Sydney. Singing and playing these band's songs after school in Newtown at just 12 years old, he would take the money and then use it to buy more records to learn and discover. Ronnie's rock career began in the pubs and clubs of Sydney in 2004 at the age of 15, fronting and playing guitar in punk rock band The Skanks. With Sindy Sinn (now renowned Australian visual artist) on drums, The Skanks' set was comprised of Ronnie's early songs, covers of AC/DC, The Ramones, New York Dolls, Iggy Pop and they supported bands in Sydney such as Doomfoxx (Mick Cocks - Rose Tattoo).
The Skanks evolved into hard rock band L.U.S.T. (with Sindy) and they toured Australia relentlessly supporting The Screaming Jets, Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo), Swanee, Kevin Borich, Nashville Pussy and Ace Frehley (Kiss). L.U.S.T. would release one album 'First Tattoo' featuring 'See You In Hell' that would be used as the theme song to MTV Australia's Headbanger's Ball.
Ronnie began his teaching career in this time at Sydney's School Of Rock as the youngest instructor the company had ever employed.
With his sights set on the world, after asking Angry Anderson's advice on tour together: "Go to Germany". In 2012 Ronnie travelled to Germany and was invited by Lutz Vegas (V8 Wankers) to write and record an album with Autobahn Outlaw featuring Steve King (Rose Tattoo).
Upon returning to Australia Ronnie was hired on guitar by Australian band The Art who brought him to Hollywood in 2013 where they were managed by ex-Guns N' Roses manager Vicky Hamilton. Ronnie would record all the guitars on the 'Weirdo Superhero' EP and they supported Aerosmith, Van Halen, Richie Ramone & Buckcherry's Australian tour, and Faster Pussycat's 2013 world tour. Even as the youngest member on the Faster Pussycat tour, this would lead to Ronnie forming a friendship with Taime Downe, Danny Nordahl and Chad Stewart and he was welcomed into "The Pussycat Family". During his time back in Australia between touring Ronnie would regularly fly to Melbourne to write music and perform acoustic shows with Screaming Jets bass player and iconic Australian songwriter Paul Woseen.
When Ronnie returned to Sydney he was invited by Angry Anderson to join Rose Tattoo on guitar for a sold out show at Frankie's Pizza in December 2013, this was Ronnie's audition for the group. He passed with flying colours however unforseen circumstances would lead to the group taking a brief hiatus.
At this same time Vicky Hamilton organized The Art to relocate to Hollywood in early 2014, where the group was scheduled to support Faster Pussycat's next USA tour. When Ronnie was the only band member to show and upon hearing this news, The Pussycat Family came to the rescue and Ronnie was invited by Motochrist (featuring Danny Nordahl and Chad Stewart of Faster Pussycat, Marc Diamond of the Dwarves and Ricky Vodka of Humble Gods) to join the group onstage for a sold out show at The Whisky A Go Go which began his next decade of working in Los Angeles.
After a show with Motochrist in North Hollywood, Ronnie reconnected with Todd Youth (Danzig, Murphy's Law, D Generation) who he'd met on The Ace Frehley & L.U.S.T. Australian tour of 2010. Impressed by Ronnie's guitar playing and performance, Todd was inspired to reform The Chelsea Smiles with Ronnie on guitar. After his performance with The Chelsea Smiles at The Viper Room (and being recommended by Chelsea Smiles Bass player Johnny Martin) Ronnie was hired by The Raskins to play lead guitar opening for Motley Crue Final Tour with Alice Cooper, which included a sold out Madison Square Garden in New York City and multiple live TV appearances on American news networks like NBC. It was the highest grossing tour worldwide of 2014. Influenced by Motley Crue in his teenage years, it was a special moment for Ronnie when he was able to introduce his father to Nikki Sixx backstage, who had flown out from Sydney to see the last show of the tour in Spokane Washington. The three had dinner together and when Nikki Sixx asked Ronnie what he wanted to do with his career that night he said "I want to be in Rose Tattoo."
In 2015 Ronnie was invited by Motochrist to co-write and record guitar and saxophone on the Chrome album produced by Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses). Then guitarist and producer Clay Davies (Bullets and Octane) asked Ronnie to join Future Villains who toured the US and Canada supporting Steel Panther's 'All You Can Eat' tour.
After working with Gilby he was invited to join his daughter Frankie Clarke's band Frankie + The Studs along side Johnny Martin (L.A. Guns) who he co-wrote, recorded and went on to play Lollapalooza with in 2016.
Ronnie first crossed paths with legendary Ramones drummer Richie Ramone at Canter’s Deli with The Mayor of the Sunset Strip, Rodney Bingenheimer when introduced by Vicky Hamilton upon arrival to LA. Ronnie and Richie first shared the stage together at Ronnie’s first USA performance playing The Ramones ‘Something To Do’ and in 2016 Richie invited him to join his band. The Ramones were a huge influence on Ronnie, he even had the infamous Arturo Vega eagle logo tattooed the size of his back when he was 18 back in Sydney. He has mastered the right-hand downstroke aggressive style and stamina of Johnny Ramone’s guitar playing as well as brought his own style (influenced by Australian rock guitarists like Mick Cocks, Malcolm, Angus and George Young) into the fold with Richie Ramone. Touring around the world with Richie was a dream come true for Ronnie and the two formed a friendship that is still strong to this day.
In 2017 Ronnie was invited by Paul Woseen to join The Screaming Jets on guitar for a show in Sydney and then to record lead guitar on a cover of Stevie Wright's classic Aussie rock song 'Guitar Band' for the 'Gotcha Covered album'. It went to number one on the Australian iTunes rock charts. Vale Paul Woseen.
During Covid in Hollywood Ronnie was hired to compose and score music for film & TV networks such as Discovery Channel & UFC before live music returned in late 2021. During this time Ronnie became a dual US and Australian citizen. Then Ronnie was invited by Danny Nordahl and Ronnie Sweetheart to play guitar in The infamous New York rock and roll band (who Little Richard played with) The Throbs.
In 2022 Ronnie was invited by Taime Downe to join Faster Pussycat who toured the USA playing packed shows with Tom Keifer and L.A. Guns on The Sonic Slam Tour as well as a sold out show at The Whisky A Go Go which broke the historical venue's record for attendance (on Ronnie's birthday). The year was spent pulling triple duties on guitar touring with Faster Pussycat and Richie Ramone around the world and returning on guitar with Frankie + The Studs - Ronnie spent 49 out of 52 weeks of the year on the road. Playing 6 and 7 nights a week (including Ronnie's personal record to date of 19 nights in a row with Richie Ramone) and was dubbed by peers in Hollywood as 'the busiest guitarist in the business'.
In the last two weeks of 2022 upon returning from the road, Ronnie wrote, recorded and produced his first full length solo LP with Clay Davies & Richie Ramone as co-producers in LA. The record features Richie Ramone and Chris Moye (RIP) on drums, Johnny Martin (LA Guns, Chelsea Smiles) on bass, Danny Nordahl (Faster Pussycat, Motochrist), Scott Churilla (Reverend Horton Heat) and Frankie Clarke (Frankie + The Studs) on backing vocals which is due for release with The Redback Spiders in 2024.
In January of 2023 Ronnie Simmons was invited by Angry Anderson to join Rose Tattoo after Bob Spencer (The Angels, Skyhooks) left the group.
After touring Australia with Faster Pussycat headlining The Glam Fest Tour including acts like Wednesday 13, in January of 2023, he remained in Australia and returned to Sydney. With only 2 days between tours he embarked on The Rose Tattoo 'Assault and Battery' tour before flying back to The USA to pull double duties with both Faster Pussycat and Rose Tattoo on The Monsters Of Rock Cruise. Ronnie returned to Australia where he was 'patched in' and 'blooded in' (by The legendary Australian Tattoo artist Tony Cohen who has done Angry Anderson's ink) to Rose Tattoo as a full band member. Another of Ronnie's dreams came true.
In early 2024 Ronnie was invited by The Rainbow Bar and Grill in West Hollywood to add one of his Gibson Les Paul's (that he had signed by Rose Tattoo in Australia and had recently played a few nights before with Faster Pussycat at The Whisky A Go Go) to the iconic bar's wall of memorabilia along with a signed photo on behalf of Rose Tattoo. Having been Ronnie's local hangout for the past decade in LA, before and after many gigs on The Sunset Strip, this was a monumental occasion and achievement.
Ronnie now spends his time between Australia and The USA. He has been touring Australia with Rose Tattoo on The Southern Stars Tour and will soon be launching The Redback Spiders.
"To play with these legendary bands that started off as posters on my walls as a kid, and become a part of their legacy means everything to me. The fact I can also call them my friends, we consider each other family and I'm treated as an equal... it's indescribable. They gave me an identity and a purpose in life before I'd even met them, and I don't take a second of it for granted. Long live rock 'n' roll."
- Ronnie Simmons
With over two decades experience working in the music industry he teaches music & mentors students all around the world. Helping the next generation pursue their dreams is a passion he has taken from School of Rock in Sydney Australia, to classrooms at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles and continues to do between touring the world today.
Ronnie endorses:
Copyright © 2024 Ronnie Simmons - All Rights Reserved.
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