Ron Holden

Ron Holden
Ron Holden in 1960
Ron Holden in 1960
Background information
Birth nameRolan Webster Holden
Born(1939-08-07)August 7, 1939
Seattle, Washington, US
DiedJanuary 22, 1997(1997-01-22) (aged 57)
Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico
GenresR&B, pop, rock and roll
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, entertainer
Years active1958–1997
LabelsDel-Fi Records, Donna Records
Formerly ofThe Playboys, Little Willie and the Thunderbirds, Ron Holden & Good News

Rolan Webster Holden (August 7, 1939[1] – January 22, 1997)[2] was an American pop and rhythm and blues singer from Seattle, Washington, United States.[1] He appeared on The Lloyd Thaxton Show, Mike Douglas Show, American Bandstand (with Connie Francis, The Crests, Bobby Freeman and Conway Twitty) and The Dick Clark Show. He performed at the Apollo Theater with artists Jackie Wilson, the Crests and Redd Foxx. Most notable were USO tour-stops with Elvis Presley, Pat Boone and Connie Francis.

Between 1958 and 1965, Holden toured with Hank Ballard & The Midnighters, James Brown, Brook Benton, Etta James, Cleve Duncan & the Penguins, Rosie and the Originals, the 5 Royales, the Coasters, Freddy Cannon, the Crests, Marvin & Johnny, Don and Dewey, Big Joe Turner, Marv Johnson, Mickey & Silvia, Harvey Fuqua & the Moonglows, Jimmy Clanton, the Olympics, Donnie Brooks and Bill Haley.[3]

In 1969, Holden, as singer/entertainer, formed a six piece rock and R&B band: Ron Holden & Good News. Good News performed at various clubs and festivals in the Seattle/Tacoma area for about eight months. The group members were Charles Jefferson (trumpet), Bob Cozzetti (trumpet), Tim Gemmill (tenor saxophone & flute), Steve Swartz (drums), Toby Cyer (electric guitar) and Bruce Ransom (electric bass & guitar). Influences included James Brown, Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

  1. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1160. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Finder was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Holden, Ron (1940–1997): Seattle's Sweet '60s Teen Balladeer by Peter Blecha, July 24, 2008 - retrieved October 2015