Ronson's Rainbow Article: 1974

📰 Ronson’s Rainbow – NME News Feature: Jan 1974

📰 Sub‑Heading

A New Musical Express news report announcing Mick Ronson’s solo career launch, Rainbow Theatre concerts, and the release of Slaughter on 10th Avenue.

📰 Key Highlights

• Published in New Musical Express (UK), January 26, 1974

• Announces Ronson’s first solo headline shows

• Venue: Rainbow Theatre, London

• Dates: February 22 & 23, 1974

• Confirms release of Slaughter on 10th Avenue (February 15, 1974)

• Notes Ronson’s debut solo single “Love Me Tender”

• Mentions Bowie’s concurrent work on the 1980 Floor Show album

• Includes additional music‑news briefs (Ella Fitzgerald, Pure Food, Gary Glitter)

📰 Overview

This NME page captures a moment of transition for both Mick Ronson and David Bowie. Ronson, newly independent from the Spiders From Mars and MainMan machinery, steps into the spotlight with his first solo concerts and a fully self‑produced debut album. Meanwhile, Bowie is preparing to leave Britain for New York to develop his stage revue based on Orwell’s 1984, later retitled The 1980 Floor Show. The page reflects a shifting early‑’70s landscape where both artists are redefining their creative identities.

📰 Source Details

Publication / Venue: New Musical Express

Date: January 26, 1974

Format: One‑page news feature

Provenance Notes: Early UK press coverage of Ronson’s solo debut and Bowie’s theatrical ambitions.

📰 The Story

Ronson’s Rainbow Debut

NME announces that Mick Ronson — formerly the musical anchor of Bowie’s Spiders From Mars — will headline two major concerts at the Rainbow Theatre on February 22 and 23, 1974.

His band for the shows includes:

• Mike Garson – keyboards

• Trevor Bolder – bass

• Aynsley Dunbar – drums

This lineup bridges Ronson’s Bowie past with his new solo ambitions.

NME also confirms:

• Ronson’s debut solo single “Love Me Tender”

• His first album Slaughter on 10th Avenue, released February 15

• Ronson’s role as producer, arranger, conductor, and primary songwriter

• Inclusion of a new Bowie composition, “Growing Up in Public” (listed here under an early working title)

The article frames Ronson as stepping confidently into a fully autonomous creative role.

📰 Bowie’s U.S. Plans – The 1980 Floor Show

The lower half of the page reports Bowie’s upcoming departure for New York to prepare a stage revue based on Orwell’s 1984, retitled The 1980 Floor Show due to copyright issues.

Key points:

• Bowie leaves Britain in mid‑February

• Working at Olympic Studios on the revue’s album

• Tracks in progress include “Big Brother” and “Are You Coming?”

• Guests involved: Mike Garson, Mick Ronson, Rod Stewart

• NBC to air Bowie’s TV special on February 8 in the U.S.

The article captures Bowie in a state of intense creative flux — between theatre, television, and studio work.

📰 Additional News Briefs

The page also includes short items on:

• Ella Fitzgerald returning to the UK for April concerts

• Pure Food beginning their debut British tour

These contextual notes situate Ronson and Bowie within the broader 1974 music landscape.

📰 Visual Archive

“Ronson’s Rainbow,” New Musical Express, January 26, 1974.

📰 Related Material

Explore the tags below for connected posts and themes.

📰 Closing Notes

This NME feature captures a pivotal crossroads: Ronson stepping into his solo identity while Bowie prepares a new theatrical chapter. A rich, transitional moment in the post‑Ziggy era.

#MickRonson #SlaughterOn10thAvenue #RainbowTheatre #DavidBowie #1980FloorShow #NME1974 #GlamSlamChronicles

📰 Sources

• New Musical Express, January 26, 1974

📝 Copyright Notice

All scans and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.

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MICK RONSON, former leader of David Bowie's backing group the Spiders From Mars, launches his solo career in style next month when he headlines two major concerts at London Rainbow Theatre on Friday and Saturday, February 22 and 23. And further concert dates, in key provincial cities, are at present being lined up for him. Ronson will be supported by Mike Garson (key- boards), Trevor Bolder (bass) and Ayn- sley Dunbar (drums).

Ronson, whose debut solo single "Love Me Tender" has just been released, has his first album issued by RCA on February 15. Titled "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue", it was produced, arranged and mixed by Ronson, who is featured on all the vocals. He also wrote most of the tracks, although the album does include a new Bowie composition titled "Growing Up In Advance". TV appearances for Ronson are at present being negotiated.