Biography...

Ronald Stackman... 

Born in Rochester NY during the mid 1950s.

  Began playing violin at age 7, moved on up to Trumpet lessons at age 9 thru High School.

Played in the School Band, & later moved over to bass in the Jazz Band. Self taught in song writing, starting at age 16.

 1960s: Favorite Bands include Sam & Dave, Four Tops, Booker T & the MG's, Wilson Pickett, Beach Boys, Dylan, Beatles, Stones.

Late 1960s: Started playing in Rock bands.

Early 1970s: First reggae records discovered are the Wailers - "Catch a Fire" & "Natty Dread".
Fave 1970s bands include: Miles Davis, U-Roy, Lee Perry & Upsetters, Burning Spear, Wailers, XTC, King Sunny Ade, George Jones, Steeleye Span.

1973: co-founded Bahama Mama, as lead singer and keyboardist, widely recognised as one of the first white-reggae bands in America. Performed up & down East Coast between 1973 and 1979, focusing on writing good songs with roots sensibiltiies, blurring the line between Rock and Reggae.

 

 

 

Bahama Mama releases 2 singles:
"Lonesome Cowboy / Upstate Skank"
& "Hurricane / Future Fear" and an album:
"Bahama Mama Live".

1979: Bahama Mama breaks up. Ron soon forms a 3 piece roots power trio - the Majestics, playing Hammond B-3 & guitar with former band mates, Lou LaVilla (drums), & Jim Schwarz (bass). Eventually added Rudy Valentino (guitar), & Brother James (percussion).

1981: Having seen a live video of the Majestics as a 3 piece, legendary eccentric producer / reggae artist Lee Scratch Perry immediately enlists them as his backing band, resulting in their slot opening for the Clash's legendary stint at Bonds in Times Sq, NYC.

1982: They continue working with Scratch, eventually traveling to Jamaica to record his "Mystic Miracle Star" album at Dynamic Studios. A song from the record is featured in John Sayle's cult-hit movie 'The Brother from Another Planet'.

 

 

Ron & Lee Perry at Dynamic.


1983: Majestics release the EP - 'Future Now'

 

The Majestics continue to grow in popularity, playing the Northeast extensively on their own, as well as tours supporting Burning Spear, and opening a series of shows for Peter Tosh.

 

Ron & Rudy tune up.

Mid-1980s: The Majestics dissolve with Ron settling in to play with local bar faves - The Park Ave Band.

1990s: Ron goes back to band leader by forming Big Roots, a 9-piece big band performing Roots-Reggae with full-blown instrumentaion & arrangements in the classic vein. They record & release the album, "Live and Direct"

 

 

1994: Ron buys a house with a very big lawn.



2000: Big Roots breaks up. After a brief relaxation break, Ron returns to song writing in the back room studio of his house, where he eventually begins recording. As songs develop, he invites friends to contribute ideas & performances to the project.

Late 2003: Finishes recording & mixing what will become his first solo album - "Music from Big Lawn".

Winter 2004: "Music from Big Lawn" released on BonaFide Records.

Summer 2004: live shows planned.

 

 

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