Ron Altbach

Ron Altbach
Birth nameRonald Steven Altbach
Born(1946-12-24)December 24, 1946
Olcott, New York, U.S.
DiedFebruary 21, 2023(2023-02-21) (aged 76)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Instrument(s)Piano, keyboards
Formerly ofCelebration, King Harvest, The Beach Boys

Ronald Steven Altbach (December 24, 1946 – February 21, 2023) was an American keyboardist and songwriter who co-founded French-American rock band King Harvest,[1][2] and played the Wurlitzer electric piano intro on their single "Dancing in the Moonlight" (1973).[3][4] He later became a session keyboardist for The Beach Boys[5] and penned songs for the group.[4] Altbach was a member of Celebration, a group led by Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love.[2] In 1979, Altbach played keyboards in the band Clean Athletic & Talented (C.A.T.); the band, including John Huff, recorded an album.

Altbach's contributions to the Beach Boys include co-producing M.I.U. Album (1978)[6] and co-writing songs such as "Belles of Paris", "She's Got Rhythm",[4] and "Alone on Christmas Day".[7]

Altbach died on February 21, 2023, at the age of 76.[1][8]

  1. ^ a b "Home Page". King Harvest. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b "King Harvest honors 'Doc' in moonlight Edit Share Print Download". Buffalo, New York: The Buffalo News. 7 July 2013. p. 87. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Olcott 'Dancing in the Moonlight' Saturday". Niagara Frontier Publications. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Mann, Brent (2003). 99 Red Balloons--: And 100 All-time One-hit Wonders. Citadel Press. p. 157. ISBN 978-0-8065-2516-7.
  5. ^ Wright, Gary (2014). Dream Weaver Deluxe: A Memoir; Music, Meditation, and My Friendship with George Harrison. Penguin Publishing Group. p. 48. ISBN 978-0-698-19449-6.
  6. ^ Lambert, Philip (2007). Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 315. ISBN 978-1-4411-0748-0.
  7. ^ Blistein, Jon (November 6, 2015). "Hear Mike Love's Spirited, Bittersweet New Christmas Song". Rolling Stone.
  8. ^ "Our dear friend Ron Altbach passed away after being in a coma for several days". Mike Love on Twitter. Retrieved 24 February 2023.