This article will answer every question you have about Ronnie Hawkins. Below are some of the frequently asked questions about him.
- What does Ronnie do for a living?
- Who are Ronnie’s parents and siblings?
- What are Ronnie’s interests and hobbies?
- Is Ronnie married or does he have a girlfriend/ boyfriend?
- Does Ronnie have any children?
- Where is Ronnie now?
- How tall is Ronnie?
- How much money does Ronnie earn?
- What is Ronnie’s net worth?
N/B: Please read the entire post to have all your questions answered.
Who is Ronnie Hawkins?
Ronald Cornett Hawkins OC abbreviated as Ronnie Hawkins was a famous American-Canadian rock and roll singer-songwriter. His career spanned more than half 100 years. Moreover, he began his career in Arkansas where he was born and raised. For most of his life, he lived in Ontario, Canada where he found success. Also, he is highly attributed to the establishment and evolution of rock music in Canada.
Also known as “Rompim’ Ronnie”, “Mr. Dynamo, or “The Hawk”, he was one of the key players in the 1960s rock scene in Toronto. He has recorded more than 25 albums and has performed all across North America. His hit songs include covers of Chuck Berry’s “Thirty Days” (retitled “Forty Days”) and Young Jessie’s “Mary Lou”, a song about a gold digger. His other notable recording is a cover of Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love? (without the question mark), “Hey! Bo Diddley”, and another song entitled “Susie Q” written by his cousin rockability artist Dale Hawkins.
Besides singing, he was a talent scout and a mentor of the musicians he recruited for his band, The Hawks. For one of his projects, Roy Buchanan was an early Hawks guitarist on the song “Why Do You Love”. His other successful students who left the band went on and formed The Band. While others he had recruited formed Robbie Lane and the Disciples, Janis Joplin’s Full Tilt Boogie Band, Crowbar, Bearfoot, and Skylark.
How Old Is Ronnie Hawkins?
He was 87 years old at the time of his death on May 29, 2022, having been born on January 10, 1935, in Huntsville, Arkansas, U.S Ronnie shared his birthdate with celebrities such as; Ben Azelart, Kobe Morris, Avi Angel, Mason Mount, Jadyn Xavier, and many more.
Ronnie Hawkins Family
Who are Ronnie Hawkins’s Parents?
He was born to Jasper Hawkins (Father) a barber and Flora Cornett Hawkins (Mother) a schoolteacher.
Does Ronnie Hawkins have Siblings?
He has two siblings. Two brothers by the name Royal Allen Hawkins (was born on June 10, 1928, but died on August 20, 1928) and Bobbie Winfred Law.
Ronnie Hawkins Education
He received his high school education at Fayetteville High School where he graduated in 1952. After high school, he studied physical education at the University of Arkansas, but he dropped out just a few credits short of graduation.
Ronnie Hawkins Marital Status
He was married to the love of his life Wanda Hawkins.
Ronnie Hawkins Kids
He and his wife Wanda have three kids. Two sons by the name Ronnie Hawkins Jr. and Robin Hawkins. And a daughter by the name of Leah Hawkins. His sons served as his guitarist since the 1980s and the daughter an aspiring songwriter who had been a backup singer.
Ronnie Hawkins Career
Upon being advised by Twitty, who told him Canadian audiences wanted to hear his rockability, in 1958, he and the group began touring Canada as the Ron Hawkins Quartet. But they left their bassist George Paulman as he was abusing liquor and pills. This, therefore, led to their first tour in Ontario where they played without a bass. Their first gig was at the Golden Rail Tavern in Hamilton, Ontario, where according to booker Harold Kudlets, all the bartenders quit when they heard the band’s sound and saw Ronnie’s stunts on stage. He performed a number of live shows in 1959 and also signed a five-year contract with Roulette Records.
He and the Hawks working out of Toronto cut the LP Ronnie Hawkins in 1959, and with Fred Carterm Jr. taking Jimmy Ray “Luke” Paulman’s place on lead guitar. Also, they cut another LP, Mr. Dynamo the next year both of them were recorded on the Roulette label. Ronnie subsequently moved to Canada and became a permanent resident in 1968. He then moved from Stoney Lake Manor in Douro-Dummer in 2017 where he had resided since 1970, to Peterborough, Ontario. After moving to Canada, The Hawks with the exception of Ronnie and drummer Levon Helm dropped out of the band. Therefore, their vacancies were filled by Southwestern Ontarians Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson.
Career Continuation
Ronnie in December 1969 hosted John Lennon and Yoko Ono for a stay at his home in Mississauga, Ontario, during the couple’s campaign to promote world peace. Thus Lennon did a radio promo for Ronnie’s single a version of The Clover’s song “Down in the Alley”. When Lennon and Ono’s stay ended, Ronnie and his wife as part of their entourage took the CNR Rapido train to Montreal where they engaged in their Bed-in-for Peace at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. Ronnie noticed guitarist Pat Travers performing in Ontario nightclubs in the early 1970s and was so impressed by the young musician that he invited him to join his band. Later after a successful recording career, Travers became an influential guitarist in the 1970s hard rock genre. Bob Dylan in 1975 cast Ronnie to play the role of “Bob Dylan” in the movie Renaldo and Clara.
In 1976, he was a featured performer at the Band’s Thanksgiving Day farewell concert at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco which was documented in the 1978 film The Last Waltz. His 1984 LP, Making It Again garnered him a Juno Award as Canada’s best Country Male Vocalist. In addition to his musical career, he became an accomplished actor where he hosted his own television show Honky Tonk in the early 1980s. He also appeared in films such as Michael Cimino’s Heaven’s Gate alongside his friend Kris Kristofferson and in the action/adventure film Snake Eater. He celebrated his 60th birthday on January 10, 1995, by sponsoring a concert at Massey Hall in Toronto which was documented on the album Let It Rock. The concert featured performances by him, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Band, and Larry Gowan.
Ronnie Hawkins Height and Measurements
Adding up to his well-built body he stood at a height of 6ft 1inch (1.85m) and a weight of 62kg (136lbs)
Ronnie Hawkins Salary and Net Worth
His salary is not mentioned on the internet but had a net worth of $4 million.