Ron the One (alias Rony King)

Ron was resident DJ at the Lower Chambers, Rochdale Town Hall and the Fire Station from 1963 - 1968.

Between 63-66, Ron was the resident DJ at all Rochdale Council run events, including Town Hall, Fire Station & Chambers.

During this period, Ron worked with such groups as Ivans Meads, The Buttons, Tony Merrick, The Factotums, Bruce & the Spiders, The Quiet Five and the biggest of all was November 64 when he had the great pleasure to introduce " This week, at number one in the American  Billboard Charts - recently number one here in the UK, guy's & gals, it is ...................HERMANS HERMITS"

In 1966, along with Keith, (on the publicity pic, right below), was scheduled to join a pirate station "Radio Caesar".

However, this never saw the light of day due to the Marine Offences Act, and the scramble for DJ work became a little tough.

Ron turned to managing a group "Somebody's Corporation" and in March of 1967 promoted a show at the Champness Hall in Rochdale starring Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, Simon Dupree & the Big Sound, The Creation along with 3 local groups, Somebody's Corporation, Anita & The Chariots & The Apex Jazz Band.

As years went on, like so many others, matured, got married, & like mom & dad kept saying, "got a proper job".

Ron made a few comeback appearances at the  Kirkholt Community Centre in Rochdale running a series of 60s nights during the eighties, and more recently, just before the turn of the century he fullfilled his dream by going live on radio in Essex, where he now lives, co-hosting a 8 week series called "Rock Back the Clock" on a local station Mellow 1557 on AM.

However, 2 months after the series ended, the station was absorbed into a bigger company, went FM, and all the part-time DJ's were shown the door.

Ron has kindly provided heaps of pics and ads related to Lower Chambers and Rochdale FireStation gigs.