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The evolution of Ronny and the classics begins with Jawbone,
Approximately 24 years ago.
Approximately 1982, four brothers: Dino, Ron, Freddy and Rene decided to
start a band with some friends for weekend fun.
Ronny Kakebeen
The other members were at first Paul Sullivan, Jackie
and Don Hunter, Bobby Fetherolf Mike Hardin and Maureen Kakebeen.
They performed mainly in a little club in Glendale called Pike’s Verdugo
Oaks. With Don Hunter they put on a sold out show in the then world
famous Palamino club. While at Pike’s, Gary Wyma, an old acquaintance of
Rene, took an interest in promoting and investing in Jawbone, but only
if we all quit our day jobs and went professional.
Dino had too many years invested in United Airlines so he bowed out.
Ron, Freddy and Rene took the offer and it was decided that we needed to
make a few changes to be competitive in the Vegas market. Andy Horway
came onboard on keys and Don Chilcot on guitar.
Andy Horway
That year was hard work rehearsing, recording and traveling. The band
successfully broke into the Las Vegas lounges and also did many jobs in
various different states. We soon found out that life in a band was not
that glamorous. There were many long boring drives through immense heat,
sleet and snow, vertical rainstorms and speeding tickets, lousy
accommodations, fast food and intelligence deficient club owners. Once
in Colorado at the Double Tree Inn it was decided the band was
attracting too much attention and should dress in plain black bus boy
outfits without any stage lights. Another club in Ohio called the Living
Room had us turn down a row of speakers directly in line with a
going away party for a Mafioso gentleman who was being sent up for
embezzlement in Vegas. The next day a " Godfather" asked us to play the
song "Just Once". Needless to say we learned it the next day. Jawbone
also performed at the Green Tree in Pocatello and Twin Falls, Idaho, the
Antler Hotel in Colorado Springs and the Double Tree in Aurora, Colorado
and various casinos in Nevada from Jackpot to Las Vegas and Reno.
Rene and Don soon burned out and quit the group. Enter Chris Eddy (drums
and son of Duane Eddy) and Guy Lee (guitar). Jawbone now took a
different turn, becoming more rock oriented and doing many originals and
setting new sights on Rock Stardom. They came out with an album soon to
be followed by a video. Due to the lack of experience, Gary could not
break down the barriers keeping Jawbone from the big time. Chris and Guy
became impatient and frustrated and quit. At this time, Freddy took the
opportunity to seek a normal life. Steve Jenkins (drums) joined and soon
after Scott (saxophone) and Byron (guitar).
Steve Jenkins
This was to be the year in hell. No direction, no Freddy, no enthusiasm,
but Andy, Ron and Steve were determined. While working in a club in Big
Bear, a phone call came asking Jawbone to open as a fifties act for
Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries at the Palamino. It was so much fun,
that the direction was shaped. We would do Oldies not just limited to
the 50’s and 60’s and change the name. This was not what Byron and Scott
wanted to do. The manager asked Freddy to come back, which he did.
Now you haven’t lived until you audition and interview and screen phone
messages from hundreds of guitar players each with egos the size of
Jupiter.
Questions that needed to be asked where the following: "Whose guitar is
it?", "Do you own an amplifier?", "Do you have a watch?", "Can you tell
time?", "Do you have a bank account?", "Do you take showers?", "Do you
own a current car?", "Do you do drugs?", "Do you smoke marijuana or
abuse alcohol?", "Do you have a family or girl friend?", "Can you and
will you load and unload equipment?" Why all these questions?
Glenn Stiglic
There were many names in the suggestion box: Dutch Dig and the Bonetones,
Dr. Dutch and the Skeletones, Fabulous Ron and the All-stars (to which
Ron vehemently objected) and many more too objectionable to mention.
Finally, at the request of manager and agents it was to become
RONNY AND THE CLASSICS
Since then, The Classics have opened for many notables and played for
some great venues, a
list
of which you can access. They have recorded two
CD’s, written several
original songs, amassed a mailing list of over 2000 fans and
friends and continue to be a strong presence in the Oldies music and
entertainment arena.
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