Ron E Beck Interview - March, 2007

Strokeland Records Interview

 

How did you get started in music?

I come from a musical family.  There was no Dad at home, but everybody in the family was into music.  It was just kind of a natural turn of events to pick up an instrument.  My twin brother Donnie started on drums with me at age 8, but I didn't like to practice and he did, so he practiced for both of us.  When I was 14, my brother wanted to play bass and told me "Man, you have to play drums!", so I did. 

When did you start playing professionally?

I was in high school in Omaha.  All my friends were getting jobs washing dishes at 85 cents an hour, but I just couldn't do that.  We had an organ trio.  I was 16 when we finally got a little weekend gig playing at a local club there in Omaha. We were playing music by Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff and all those great old B3 players.  My Mom had to come to the gigs because I wasn't old enough, but she would hang out and talk and drink and have fun.

How did you hook up with Tower of Power?

I left Omaha when I was 18.  After learning how to play, there weren't a whole lot of places to play in Omaha, so Donnie and I came to San Jose and hooked up with a horn band that had a record deal.  That lasted for 6 or 8 months and the record label folded.  At that time, I always hung out in Oakland because there were more gig opportunities than in San Jose.  The guitar player in our band was taking lessons from Bruce Conte and Bruce used to come out to hear us.

In 1974, David Garibaldi was leaving Tower of Power and Bruce asked me if I wanted to audition.  He gave me some albums and helped me prepare for the gig.  The night that I auditioned, David  was there.  He hadn't been to anyone else's audition and I was uptight thinking "Man, I've got to audition in front of David Garibaldi!?".

I had big sticks and was playing LOUD at the audition because I was so pumped up and wanted to impress them.  Chester Thompson told me I didn't need to play that loud, but I could play.

Apparently, I gave them what they wanted because Emilio gave me the gig. We were a tight bunch of guys in the rhythm section in those days.  Bruce Conte, Chester Thompson, Rocco and I were all Pisces and we hung together and partied all the time.

What led you to step out front on lead vocals for Soul Cry?

I've been singing since even before Tower.  I always tried to learn music - harmonies and musical structure in addition to the drums.  Doc and Chester and the others would show me things.  I always sang and played piano because I wanted to be more than just a drummer.

After doing it for 10-15 years, I started feeling more confident about singing lead.  I did an earlier album, "Love Comes and Goes", where I sang as well.  I was into the songwriting thing and shopping songs and wanted to put it out there and see how people responded to me as a performer in addition to being a drummer.

I was producing tracks for lots of other folks, but I decided on Soul Cry to hire producers and focus on singing and the music without all of the stress of keeping the whole project on track myself.

After the release, for the debut gigs of the Soul Cry material, I actually had a drummer so I could come out front and sing.   I learned a lot about what kind of personality it takes to give up an instrument and just come out front and sing.

I'm still working it.  My quest to learn and grow is never-ending.  My daughter said, "That's one thing I like about you.  You never gave up."

Who would you say your main influences are as a drummer and a vocalist?

Right at the top of the list is David Garibaldi.  When we were younger there was a competition there.  Now, I think we've both just accepted that there is no competition and that we can coexist.  He was a serious influence on my playing.

Max Roach, Buddy Rich, Tony Williams and a lot of the great drummers influenced me, but I always tried to put my own twist on things.  Rocco used to say, "You play David's stuff, but you play it your way and I like that."

As a vocalist - Stevie Wonder; Teddy Pendergrass; Will Downing; Frank Sinatra (I just love his phrasing, he's incredible); my Mom; Aretha; Otis Redding - he's probably my favorite.

Tell us about your involvement with the new Strokeland Superband release, "Bumped Up to First Class".

I'm playing on two tracks on the new CD. It was an honor to be asked to perform on this Strokeland Superband project. I have always respected Doc's writing prowess. I'm happy to see that he's getting his music out there in grand style. I also had a great time working with Jeff and Bobby Vega.

What would you say to young, up and coming artists?

I'm an optimist at heart.  I've been through some tough times, but I want to say to people that aspire to be artists that it takes a real dedication, commitment, self-confidence and alignment with the Spirit to be able to put yourself out there like that.  Gather all the fortitude you can muster and stick to it.  Whether you achieve monetary success or not, stay true to your spirit.

 

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