Ronny Drayton | |
|---|---|
 Ronny "Head" Drayton on guitar | |
| Born | Ronald Drayton May 19, 1953 South Jamaica, Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 7, 2020 (aged 66) New York City, U.S. |
| Education | John Bowne High School Kingsborough Community College |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1972–2020 |
Ronny Drayton (May 19, 1953 – February 7, 2020)[1] was a guitarist[2][3] based in the New York City area and Monroe, New York.
Born and raised in South Jamaica, Queens, New York City, Drayton started out playing drums at St. Clement The Pope Middle School and switched to guitar at age 14.[4] After high school, he eventually met and played with many notables in the genres of rock, funk, soul, blues and jazz, most notably R&B acts like The Persuaders and The Chambers Brothers. He became an in-demand session musician, performing with Edwin Birdsong and Nona Hendryx, and also studied Composition and Arrangement at Kingsborough Community College. Over the years, he has worked on countless recording projects as well as numerous TV shows and videos. In late 2012, Drayton joined 24-7 Spyz, performing with them as well as the bands Defunkt and Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber until his death.
In 2012, Drayton was active in trying to get his son, Donovan Drayton, released from Riker's Island.[5] In 2013, he contributed music to a benefit album to help recoup the legal fees involved in this fight.
On February 7, 2020, Drayton died of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and treatment complications at the age of 66.
- ^ Ronny Drayton Tribute
- ^ Vibe - Google Books. June–July 1997. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
- ^ Tate, Greg (2003). Midnight lightning: Jimi Hendrix and the black experience - Greg Tate - Google Books. ISBN 9781556524691. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
- ^ "Ronny Drayton: - Music is life in real-time - Musicians on Music".
- ^ "Donovans Defense". 4donovan.com. Retrieved 2012-02-10.