Today we’d like to introduce you to Roni Lee.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 1977, there was a cattle call for musicians by Kim Fowley. Must have been in a magazine or newspaper since we were about 15 years away from email and the internet! I was working in a Reno show band at the age of 18 and learning how to read charts from the keyboard player as well as memorizing the entire Blow by Blow album by my hero Jeff Beck. It was difficult to join bands then as a female guitar player since girls didn’t play “electric” guitar and the boy glamm bands were in full swing. So, I answered the ad and headed to Hollywood. I was originally from L.A. but had not ever really hung out in the Hollywood scene. I left a foster home situation at the age of 16 in pursuit of the dream of playing in bands and slinging my guitar wherever I could! This looked like an awesome opportunity with Kim and he already had an all-girl band called the Runaways so he seemed accepting of female musicians. He was putting together a new mix genderpunk band called Venus and the Razorblades. (Venus was a guy named Steven T.) It took a few phone calls and hang-ups to convince Kim I was a guitar player and not a media person posing as a girl guitar player. (I guess that is how ridiculous it seemed at the time! LOL.)
Anyway, I auditioned wearing full glam gear and a Marshall stack amp and a Gibson Flying V in an apt on Gower in Hollywood and got the gig.
Then, I was told, “write a song tonight or don’t come back tomorrow.” I penned the song I Wanna Be Where the Boys are that night thinking of how nice it would be to just live in that world for a while of total acceptance.
As it turns out, I was who I needed to be and have never looked back. I met some wonderful people including the new breakout band Van Halen and we had some good times and some bad times but there was no place like Hollywood in the late 70s and early 80s and I was glad to have experienced it (and lived to tell).
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I am a risk taker. Maybe slightly Polly Ana in my outlook. I climbed in a van at the age of 16 with a guy who promised I could join my first band in Seattle… and he really did have a band! If my daughter did that now, I would have a heart attack!! LOL. Deciding to be a female rock guitar player and pursuing that since the mid-70s yea, has been a struggle. Lots of rejection, insecurities, and resistance. But the rewards have far outweighed that. I felt like myself and others from that early time, have paved the way, reducing the resistance and increased the acceptance. (BTW, I still can’t get waited on in those big music stores with a guitar on the sign LOL, or they think I am there with my boyfriend the musician! But now I find it amusing.)
None of the blood, sweat, and tears compared to the music and the power I feel with a guitar in my hand. It has been my security and my companion. My mouthpiece.
I would tell younger players that while the door is much more open now for them, they have the obligation to hone their craft. My experience is that you have to be twice as good to be considered 1/2 as good. So, practice because nothing replaces insecurity better than knowing your shit!
Also, don’t be a bitch. Bands have people in them and people skills are important. You can kill an opportunity with a bad attitude so play well with others.!
What do you do? What do you specialize in?
Being on my own from such a young age has taught me a strong work ethic. I have three children I have mostly raised alone so early on I took a break from full-time music, went to college, got a business degree. That has helped immensely just in life but also since being a business owner (music or otherwise) requires some knowledge of how business works. Especially since musicians can be taken of advantage of so easily or shoot themselves in the foot with tax issues etc. So, my big secret is that I am also a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA in the state of CA). I don’t have a “job” but I do consult and do tax work as a supplement for income. This means I don’t have to make all my money from music and gigs that maybe I would turn down otherwise. This is my decision, it isn’t right for everyone.
Secondly, I have developed my own sound and I think it is a result of not having to play in cover bands so much to make a living (see above paragraph lol). A very common comment I hear is that my guitar tone and style is very recognizable as me and that means a lot. Until very recently, I only had one guitar (my PRS) for years. I moved from Marshall to Soldano amplification about six years ago and that sound is my voice.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
My inspirations are people you don’t know. They are my aunt Dee, my beautiful, patient Grandmother Edith who raised me for a time. My life-long dearest friends who have stood by me through the happy and sad times of life. Those are the people that have inspired who I am.
Musically, early on would be Joan Jett and Sandy West from the Runaways. Joan was the most determined, ferocious woman I had ever met. She never took no for an answer. She always believed in herself and the music.
As far as now. GaGa and P!nk. Those two are a force of nature.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4203 Genesee Ave #103 PMB 430
San Diego, CA 92117 - Website: www.ronileegroup.com
- Phone: 16198905645
- Email: info@ronileegroup.com
- Instagram: @ronileeofficial
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ronileegroup
- Twitter: @ronileeofficial
- Other: www.youtube.com/ronileegroup
Image Credit:
Frank Rodrick
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