That old-style rhythm and blues
Ron Thompson blows the crowd away at a concert Friday in Visalia
By Sarah Elizabeth Villicana
February 16, 2006
Photo by John Tipton © 2006
VISALIA--The blues have never felt so good.
Blues musician Ron Thompson uses his guitar like a weapon; striking his audience with an undeniable urge to tap their feet, shake their heads from side to side and make a dash for the dance floor.
At Le Chai Wine Lounge, 209 W. Main St., Visalia, Thompson's brand of rock n' roll blues inspired a sharp change in the atmosphere. On an otherwise calm Friday night, the posh wine lounge was transformed by the sound of a slide guitar, taking on the feel of a swanky New Orleans nightclub.
Thompson is a living legend and has shared the stage with musical greats such as John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Jimmy Reed, and Etta James.
A couple of hours before the show, Thompson gave his take on the music scene, what he listens to, and how he's grown as a musician.
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Thompson has been in the business of playing the blues for more than 30 years.
Since his beginnings as a musician in the 1970s, hitting up bars and nightclubs in the East Bay, Thompson has seen the ebb and flow of musical development across the globe.
"The popularity goes up and down, but blues will never die," Thompson said, wearing hip black and red wing tips and his trademark porkpie hat.
For five years, Thompson toured around the country and throughout Europe with Mississippi native "The Boogie Man," John Lee Hooker.
"I learned a lot from him in five years," Thompson said. "I got to travel all around the world and it was a great experience."
Thompson's discography list includes nearly 40 albums that the rhythm and blues man has appeared on. Most notably, he has recorded with Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac, Bonnie Raitt, and Carlos Santana.
Does he have a favorite?
"There are so many," Thompson said. "You stumped me on that one."
With a rich encyclopedia of blues legends as his musical influences, you might be surprised to know what Thompson has in his CD player.
"I listen to all kinds of different stuff," Thompson said. "A lot of modern rock and newer stuff. Actually, I am really into rap music."
This article also appeared in Spanish in the "Noticiero Semanal"( Voluem 8 Numero 4,) a publication of the Porterville Recorder.
© 2006 Porterville Recorder