Ron Meagher

Ron Meagher
Born 2 October 1941
Origin Oakland, California
Genres Folk rock, pop rock, garage rock
Occupation(s) bass guitarist, backing vocalist
Instruments bass guitar, vocals
Years active 1964–present
Associated acts The Beau Brummels, The Black Velvet Band

Ron Meagher (born October 2, 1941, Oakland, California, USA) is best known as bassist of American rock band The Beau Brummels. When guitarist-songwriter Ron Elliott was putting the band together in 1964, he asked a friend, Kay Dane, if she knew any good bass players.[1] Dane recommended Meagher, but cautioned, "He's kind of weird. He has long hair!"[1] After joining the band, Meagher proved to be important to the band's image, as he was one of the first American rock musicians with Beatlesque hair.[2]

In addition to providing backing vocals, Meagher sang lead on occasion, as on "They'll Make You Cry," a song from the band's 1965 debut album, Introducing the Beau Brummels.[2] Meagher appeared with the band in the 1965 science-fiction/comedy movie Village of the Giants, which was featured in a 1994 episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.[3] He remained with the band as it reduced from a quintet to a trio by 1967's critically acclaimed album Triangle.[4]

During the recording of the band's next album, 1968's Bradley's Barn, Meagher was drafted, becoming one of the few musicians from a well-known rock band to serve in the military at the height of the Vietnam War.[2] After he was discharged two years later, Meagher played in the Black Velvet Band with former Beau Brummels bandmate Declan Mulligan.[2] Over the next three decades, Meagher has also participated in several Beau Brummels revivals, most notably in the mid-1970s when the band released a 1975 self-titled reunion album.[5]

Discography

With The Beau Brummels

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tahsler, Bruce (2007). Garage Bands From the Sixties, Then and Now (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Teens 'N Twenties Publications. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-4243-1813-1.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Ron Meagher - Biography". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  3. ↑ Renzi, Thomas C. (2004). H.G. Wells: Six Scientific Romances Adapted for Film (2nd ed.). Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press. p. 173. ISBN 978-0-8108-4989-1.
  4. ↑ Unterberger, Richie (2000). Urban Spacemen and Wayfaring Strangers: Overlooked Innovators and Eccentric Visionaries of '60s Rock. San Francisco: Miller Freeman, Inc. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-87930-616-8.
  5. ↑ March, Jeff; Childs, Marti (1999). Echoes of the Sixties. New York: Billboard Books (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.). p. 136. ISBN 978-0-8230-8316-9.