Ronnie Taylor
Ronnie has been playing saxophone professionally since the 1960’s. He was a member of The Globe Show that had an international hit single with Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da which reached No. 1 in New Zealand. He toured as a member of Ben E. King’s band five times (350 gigs), played with Irma Franklin at Royal Albert Hall and toured in the bands of Patti Labelle, Jimmy Ruffin, Joe Tex & The Fantastics. He has also shared the stage with Tom Jones and Little Richard.

He was then member of Iguana (1971-74) that recorded on Polydor Records before they joined up with Jess Roden who had been in the Butts Band with ex-members of The Doors. The Jess Roden band were signed to Island records (1974-77) and were a major touring draw, and their live album, Blowin’, was recorded during capacity shows at Birmingham Town Hall and Leicester University. Their final show was issued as Live at the BBC. They also appeared on “The Old Grey Whistle Test”, “In Concert” and “Sight and Sound”. The bands version of ‘You Can Keep Your Hat On” had a horn arrangement by Ronnie and band mate Chris Gower, and it was that version that inspired both Tom Jones and Joe Cockers versions.

After the band split up Ronnie continued to play both in the UK and the US primarily with Honky who has a hit with “Get Up and Join the Party” in the 70s.

Returning to Southampton, he was part of Big Brother, Roxoff, The Bruce Roberts Band and Press to Play.  He also played with Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones during that time.

Ronnie is legendary in and around Southampton and has for many years been part of the Ronnie & Johnnie duo with Johnny Wands which later became the trio RSJ.

By the way, Ronnie still plays the saxophone that belonged his teacher, Gillie Hume.