Ron Asheton and James Williamson

James did the 'conventional' thing I guess, career and family, while Ron is just...Ron.
Maybe James doesn't feel the need to go back to guitarplaying? Whereas Ron essentially hasn't done much else, far as I know!
(of course they can all do what they like!!!!)

mg196 wrote:

Nadja wrote:

Also, I guess this whole Ron-James debate is really inexhaustible, altho of course people have their preferences, but it's interesting, as it's just illustrative of how amazingly different the two principal guitarists with the world's best band actually are!

People wouldn't even care about Ron & James if they had heard CC Deville, from Poison. He's the gosh-darned best guitarist of the last 30 years!

Now THAT'S some funny shit!!

For the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame thing, James and Ron should play I Got A Right 1971 style.

G, F#, E wrote:

For the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame thing, James and Ron should play I Got A Right 1971 style.

That would be a fucking blast!

Be it Chuck, Jimi, Edward, Jimmy, Eric, Jeff, James or Ron, all of the great guitarists have one one thing in common: unmistakable tone and a certain unique and instantly identifiable presence and soul to their playing. The streets of LA and bedrooms of the Midwest are littered with young players possessing impeccable technique, speed, dexterity and very little -if any- originality or voice. Part of achieving greatness as an artist is having the balls to make a statement that is true to yourself. Being the first to do it doesn't hurt either.
I love 'em both, but in this instance I must give the nod to Ron.

PS: I am somewhat biased, as when I was a teen I used to sneak into the VFW hall in Ann Arbor and check out Destroy all Monsters/Cult Heroes/Gang War etc. gigs. Not only did they rule, but they left an indelible mark on my playing and attitude about life.

Detoilet wrote:

Be it Chuck, Jimi, Edward, Jimmy, Eric, Jeff, James or Ron, all of the great guitarists have one one thing in common: unmistakable tone and a certain unique and instantly identifiable presence and soul to their playing. The streets of LA and bedrooms of the Midwest are littered with young players possessing impeccable technique, speed, dexterity and very little -if any- originality or voice. Part of achieving greatness as an artist is having the balls to make a statement that is true to yourself. Being the first to do it doesn't hurt either.
I love 'em both, but in this instance I must give the nod to Ron.

PS: I am somewhat biased, as when I was a teen I used to sneak into the VFW hall in Ann Arbor and check out Destroy all Monsters/Cult Heroes/Gang War etc. gigs. Not only did they rule, but they left an indelible mark on my playing and attitude about life.

You just made yourself incredibly welcome with that post.

James is Keith Richards on steroids, which in itself is a great thing. BUT RON IS RON. Top THAT, people.

Detoilet wrote:

. The streets of LA and bedrooms of the Midwest are littered with young players possessing impeccable technique, speed, dexterity and very little -if any- originality or voice. .

hehe, they should cut down on the sale of guitars.
& anyone who doesn't possess soul or originality should have their instrument forcibly removed!
(that would save the world a whole lotta up-themselves, boring-as-shit guitarists)

That's what annoys me so much about formulaic bands. It's all by the book songwriting.

I came across an apt description the other day of Ron as being 'guitarist to the gods'. I like that.

Nadja wrote:

I came across an apt description the other day of Ron as being 'guitarist to the gods'. I like that.

Hey, I like that too!

Loose1969 wrote:

Nadja wrote:

I came across an apt description the other day of Ron as being 'guitarist to the gods'. I like that.

Hey, I like that too!

It's good. I'd like to use it as my epithet for Ron from now on

Actually I'd like to think up new epithets for all of them but it's not easy!!
might be fun though

Ron just sounded better. Being able to play a guitar is different from composing a riff. And Ron just did it better. Although james is still a great guitarist.

Arganius wrote:

Ron just sounded better. Being able to play a guitar is different from composing a riff. And Ron just did it better. Although james is still a great guitarist.

Of course Ron's no slouch at composing riffs either. (Even on the Weirdness)

I'm just interested to see which riffs he's gonna come up with in future... Or hear, rather.

I think Arganius was talking about how Ron was better at composing riffs than Williamson ever though technically Williamson was better but by 1971 there was only a VERY small difference. And I think lately O Solo Mio is one of Ron's best riffs as it's moody and still very fresh like Fun House era songs.

G, F#, E wrote:

I think Arganius was talking about how Ron was better at composing riffs than Williamson ever though technically Williamson was better but by 1971 there was only a VERY small difference. And I think lately O Solo Mio is one of Ron's best riffs as it's moody and still very fresh like Fun House era songs.

well, whatever! I just like to seize any opportunity I can to lavish praise on Ron's musical talents


Cheers!

G, F#, E wrote:

And I think lately O Solo Mio is one of Ron's best riffs as it's moody and still very fresh like Fun House era songs.

Definately. And I've gotta say that listening to Ron's playing now - technically there's no difference between him and James

[quote="J And I've gotta say that listening to Ron's playing now - technically there's no difference between him and James [/quote]

Really?
all I can say is that Ron doesn't sound as literally unique as he used to. I think he does sound more self-conscious now, I mean on The Weirdness it does sound a bit more like he's trying to play in a more conventional way, more recognizably 'punkish' a lot of the time. but thank goodness he hasn't learnt to show off and he never will. He's the last person that needs to, anyway.
Can't comment on the live shows, never been to any

also, wonder what James's playing would sound like now, if he was still playing! Would he have mellowed a bit with age or something (don't think you can say that Ron has, anyway!)

Nadja wrote:

Can't comment on the live shows, never been to any

He doesn't exactly stand at the front of the stage machine gunning the audience with his guitar

Donald wrote:

Nadja wrote:

Can't comment on the live shows, never been to any

He doesn't exactly stand at the front of the stage machine gunning the audience with his guitar

why on earth should he?

I meant that Ron is now able to play stuff as blasting as James did I can hear it for sure in the way he plays solos e.g. in 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' -> master craftsman

I still prefer his older style!
Guess I just don't like to move with the times

Nadja wrote:

I still prefer his older style!
Guess I just don't like to move with the times

I'm with you on that one. Ron's sound on the first two albums are simply unbeatable!

I really think it generally sounded on The Weirdness as if Ron was consciously trying to sound a bit more up-to-date, or a more 'accomplished' guitarist, or something. I sure won't be complaining if he chooses to have a massive relapse on the next album!

Hopefully - though i loved The Weirdness - they will just (as they did in their early days) just not give a fuck wat anyone thinks or says or asks for and just go where the music takes them, but i dunno, i think iggy probly thinks that they are washed up insofar as talent goes, which is the furtherst from reality but i think he looks at sa the stones who work like a business model more than a band, altho thats only to reach as many ppl as they can, but i dunno maybe iggy just thinks, or is afraid in a way that they may be dropped if they try anything like they did back in 69/70 u'no

i dunno, hopefuly it will be another new album, i dont want it to sound like the weirdness at all, each album has a different sound and style etc and i'd hate for that 'accidental ethos' to be ruined

Nadja wrote:

I really think it generally sounded on The Weirdness as if Ron was consciously trying to sound a bit more up-to-date, or a more 'accomplished' guitarist, or something. I sure won't be complaining if he chooses to have a massive relapse on the next album!

Even the sound from their "Skull Ring" contributions would be pretty cool. Not as raw as the originals, but a bit wilder than The Weirdness.

All in all, I'd love another Fun House though.