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Ronnie Hawkins -- 'Still Alive and Kickin'' -- CTV Special, Fri. Aug. 20, 2004

-- by Joe Curtis --

Ronnie Hawkins is a household name in Canada. This hillbilly cat from Arkansas brought rock 'n' roll to Canada in 1959, and has lived here ever since. Many musicians and producers in the music business, have been directly helped in one way or another by 'the Hawk', and his 'boot camp' school of rock 'n' roll. Some of the more well-known of these are The Band, with drummer Levon Helm and guitarist Robbie Robertson. They used to be Ronnie's original backup band The Hawks, until they flew the Hawkins 'coop' and went on to gain worldwide fame and fortune with Bob Dylan - then on their own as The Band -- performing at Woodstock in 1969, as well as in the concert film 'The Last Waltz' in the 1970s, (where Hawkins also appears).

Former Hawk alumnus and now world-respected, award-winning music producer David Foster, once played piano in Ronnie's band. He and other famed music icons, including close friends Paul Anka and former U.S. President Bill Clinton are featured in various live and very rare film footage segments in this very well put together documentary by film maker Anne Pick of Real To Reel Productions in Toronto. It traces the extremely colorful life of Ronnie Hawkins, from the early 1950s, right up to the present day. There's live concert footage shown, as well as an in-depth focus on Hawkins' recent bout with what's thought to be pancreatic cancer - claimed by some to be 'cured' by teenage 'energy healer' Adam, from Vancouver, B.C., who's also interviewed here.

There's even some super-rare Hawkins home movie footage in color from1969, taken at Ronnie's secluded Mississauga home, showing Beatle, John Lennon driving around the Hawkins estate in the snow in an all-terrain jeep/snowmobile, while having the time of his life. Lennon is wearing a camouflage green army uniform in these rare film clips. He's also heard in an equally rare audio interview, where he tells of his visit to the Hawkins home, and what a great time he and wife Yoko Ono had there. Lennon also mentions what a big fan he's been of Hawkins since his early rock 'n' roll days. Lennon also mentions how much he really dug Hawkins' then recent recording of "Down In The Alley", featuring Duane Allman on slide guitar. (This awesome song has recently been re-recorded, and is featured on Ronnie's recent CD, 'Still Cruisin'', available through his official web site at: www.ronniehawkins.com , email: thehawk@pipcom.com .

There's a touching scene where one of the film crew of this CTV documentary reminds Ronnie of the time when John Lennon visited the Hawk in 1969. He goes on to mention that back then as wide-eyed teenagers, he and a friend had visited the Hawkins home, and had seen Lennon and Yoko standing there. He also mentions being given a friendly greeting by Ronnie at the time, instead of a brush-off. Ronnie's seen listening intently to this story, with his smiling face lit up like a Christmas tree.

Another long-time fan of Ronnie's is interviewed in the lobby of the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton, Ont. in Dec. 2002, during Ronnie's CD release party for 'Still Cruisin''. This Hawkins fan remembers the time as a teenager, when he was hitchhiking along a country road in rural Ontario in the winter, with no money in his pocket. The Hawk not only picked him up, but also gave him a ride all the way to his house. This fan now has grey hair, but the memory of Ronnie's kindness decades earlier, was still felt so much at the time of the filming, that he was in near tears as he told the story of Ronnie's good deed. He finishes his sentimental recollections by looking into the camera, mentioning to Ronnie, "You're a good man, my friend!"

There's footage in this documentary of the entertainment at Ronnie's Dec. 5, 2002 CD release party, featuring Ronnie on stage for the finale, singing "Bo Diddley" in a rousing duet with Elvis impersonator and local personality Max Brand. They're backed by Garth Hudson of The Band on accordion; Jerome Godboo on blues harp; guitarists Domenic Troiano and Buzz Thompson; keys guy Dave Murphy on B-3; George Olliver (of Mandala fam) singing soul/R&B, and doing the splits with Max; Patti Jannetta on background vocals and many others sharing the stage for this incredible finale to the evening's entertainment. This writer was there, and can say without a doubt this was the main highlight of the entire evening. The audience loved it, and gave the Hawk a much deserved standing ovation. It's great that this was included in the documentary.

Country singing star Billy Ray Cyrus is another famous face interviewed in this very meaningful CTV documentary. Cyrus is also featured singing an emotional duet with Ronnie in the Hawkins' hit, "Days Gone By" -- which is about old friends and how much they care about and miss each other. In the interview segment, Cyrus mentions, "I've seen some of my friends go recently -- Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins." He then goes on to say, "Ronnie's a 'living legend' just like them" -- concluding with, "But he's still with us ... Enjoy this man ... We almost lost him!" The next scene shows a close-up of Ronnie, smiling like a saint!

Long-time folk/rockabilly hero and Hawkins friend, Kris Kristofferson, is interviewed about Ronnie, and is seen giving a tearful dedication to the Hawk outdoors on the podium in front of Toronto's prestigious Royal Alexandra Theatre, Fri. Oct. 4, 2002, when Ronnie received his 'star' on the 'Walk of Fame' on the sidewalk in front of this world-renowned theatre. Seated behind Kristofferson were Hawkins' longtime friends, vocalist/ex-Hawk B.J. Cook and entertainment booker/publicist Gino Empry (who many times booked Ronnie into the Royal York Hotel's fashionable Imperial Room near the Royal Alex).

Later that same evening, Oct. 4th, Kristofferson, as well as Levon Helm, Doug Inglis (Hawks/Goddo), Garth and Maude Hudson, ex-Hawk Kelly Jay (of iconic 1960s Canadian rock band, Crowbar), Greg Godovitz (founder of iconic 1970s rockers, Goddo), B.J. Cook, Domenic Troiano, Buzz Thompson, Jerome Godboo (Hawks/Jimmy Bowskill Band), the Weber Brothers and many others performed a memorable tribute concert to the Hawk, at Toronto's Massey Hall that this writer attended. Bill Clinton and David Foster even made surprise guest appearances on pre-recorded messages to Ronnie and Wanda, televised from TV monitors suspended above Massey Hall's 1890s Art Nouveau stage.

Media person Jim Zeppa, (who was Ronnie Hawkins' business manager for this event), recently shared some happy memories from this Hawkins tribute concert. Some of these reminiscences include Bill Clinton talking to Ronnie, Wanda and the rest of the Massey Hall audience, (from the TV monitors), mentioning "I am a better man today, for knowing Ronnie Hawkins." Zeppa later comments, "Clinton's words made my big toe jump up in my boot!"

Such is the nature of the Hawk's magnetic personality -- which explains why he's just as popular today as he was 45 years ago, when he first appeared live on American Bandstand, and in live publicity footage from his then label, Roulette Records. This live footage from 1959, shows the rock 'n' roll scene in all its late 1950s pop culture glory. The Hawk (minus his beard) is featured in these segments, looking very dapper in an obviously expensive suit. He's shown doing his 'moon walk' and is seemingly 'walking on air' -- while the energy of his rockabilly band, The Hawks, plays on with atomic intensity.

Another segment with the debonair, beardless Hawk, features him in live color footage filmed on his wedding day in 1962 to Wanda, whom he's still married to. In these scenes, Ronnie hams it up for the camera, by pretending to rip up his brand new wedding license. Wanda is interviewed in recent footage from 2004, mentioning how she and Ronnie first met around 1960 at Toronto's Concord Tavern. There's also late 1960s footage of their children, Robin, Ronnie Jr. and Leah, who Ronnie lovingly refers to as "Curly, Larry and Moe ... the 'Three Stooges'." These late '60s Hawkins home movies show the two Hawkins boys in their first days as musicians, playing plastic toy guitars as kids, There's also footage of the boys as teenagers really playing well in Levon Helm's barn in Woodstock, NY; as well as recent footage of guitarist/music producer son Robin (who's been part of the Hawks for almost 25 years) along with his sister, vocalist Leah; with longtime Hawk guitarist Buzz Thompson (over 15 years) and Hawkins' blues harp player Jerome Godboo, performing in the Hawks with Ronnie, when he got inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in early 2004.

There's also live footage featuring Robin, as well as Leah and Buzz performing in the Hawks in Jan. 1995 at Ronnie's 'Let It Rock' 65th birthday bash concert at Massey Hall. It features special guests Carl Perkins; Jerry Lee Lewis; as well as Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko of The Band. 'Let It Rock' was filmed as a TV show at the time. It's now available on video, DVD and CD from Ronnie Hawkins' official web site: www.ronniehawkins.com .

The early film footage from the late '50s, (this writer's favorite part of the entire documentary), allows the audience a time-capsule view of a then-19-year-old blonde-haired drummer named Levon Helm, performing live in Ronnie's band in 1959 -- at the very beginning of their illustrious careers in show biz.

There's some fabulous early to mid-1960s live footage of Toronto's Yonge St. Strip too, where Ronnie's rockin' 'n' rollin' club The Hawk's Nest, was located on the second floor of the club, Le Coq D'Or. This footage includes dancing Go-Go girls in the Hawk's Nest, as well as the fabulous neon signs from this era at the corner of Dundas St. and Yonge St. Seen flashing in all their neon glory are top Toronto night spots like the Brown Derby (where Louis Armstrong and others played); Frank's (burgers and hotdogs) next to it, the Biltmore Theatre and Le Coq D'Or next to that again. (These days the former Le Coq D'Or at 333 Yonge St., is the main HMV music store in Toronto). Just down the street at 279 Yonge St. was the Friar's Tavern (at the corner of Dundas Sq.), where upstairs at the Nickleodeon, Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks ruled the roost as resident house band. Downstairs at the Friar's, former Hawks backup band Robbie Lane and the Disciples (replacing Levon, et al) were its house band. This is now the present location of the Hard Rock Cafe, and Club 279 upstairs, where the Nickleodeon once rocked. All this great music history is brought to life in 'Still Alive and Kickin'', thanks to film maker Anne Pick and her dedicated film crew.

One of the highlights of this documentary, is the rare live film footage from Sept. 2002, of a private dinner held in Ronnie's honor at Toronto's Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto's now posh (but former '60s hippy haven) Yorkville area. Some of the special guests that evening were Paul Anka; David Foster and his wife Linda Thompson, (former girlfriend of Elvis Presley); ex-Hawk singer B.J. Cook; former U.S. President Bill Clinton and guitarist Domenic Troiano. It was believed the Hawk only had a few short months to live, so most of his close friends were there that night to say 'goodbye' to their old friend Ronnie, and party with him one last time.

Some of the entertainment at this private 'who's who' dinner party, is featured in live footage in 'Still Alive and Kickin''. Paul Anka sings "My Way", with new lyrics he wrote just for Ronnie. Some of these lyrics recall the first time Anka met Ronnie in the '50s, when the Hawk asked Anka, "Are you the bellboy?" This very humorous look at each other in this Anka tune, features David Foster playing piano, with Anka singing praise to Foster's great success in music (and his gratitude for it). Also in this lyrically re-written version of "My Way", Anka refers to ex-U.S. President Bill Clinton as being "total class." In the closing verse of "My Way", Clinton gets in the last line, singing "I did it Hilary's way."

Another of these highlights includes footage of a time when some of Ronnie's friends paid a call on him from Toronto, by stretch limo. Scenes inside the limo show Greg Godovitz (of iconic rock band Goddo fame), playing rock 'n' roll acoustic guitar in the back seat, while the Toronto Sun's beautiful Money Editor, Linda Leatherdale screams out "Ronnie Hawkins lives ... Yes!" Shortly afterwards, Ronnie greets the vivacious Linda at the door, on his knees, in a rockabilly re-enactment of 'Prince Charming' and 'Cinderella'!

Little did anyone know then that Hawkins would miraculously survive his illness. This was an unexpected turn of events, which ended on a happy note with Ronnie recovering, and continuing to entertain his fans at live concerts all over the world.

There's some attention paid is in this documentary to Hawkins' recent bout with what is believed by some to be pancreatic cancer. There are several interviews with Ronnie's doctors, including his friend and doctor, Dr. Hughes. There's also a few scenes of Ronnie on his way to the hospital in Toronto for cancer treatment; as well as conversations between him and the specialists looking after him. There's also some very funny Hawkins'-style flirting with the nurses that look in on him in his hospital room. One important medical fact is mentioned in this documentary, relating to Hawkins' medical condition. This is the segment where the doctors mention something about localized pancreotitis, which looks like cancer, but it's not. This leads to speculation that possibly Ronnie didn't have cancer at all, and also could explain why the supposed 'cancer' didn't spread and cause the untimely demise of this rockabilly legend.

Whatever illness Ronnie had, (and the doctors still can't say what it was with 100% certainty), we're all very happy that this very vital and still touring rockabilly legend, Ronnie Hawkins, 'the Hawk', is 'still alive and kickin'', and rockin' and rollin' in live concerts and other public appearances. Fortunately because of the Hawk's 'miracle cure', (it could be), all of us can continue to enjoy his great music live, and his very funny sense of humor, that gets everyone laughing whenever he tells his uproariously funny jokes. As singer B.J. Cook commented in this documentary, "I haven't heard him change one word or line in these stories in the almost 40 years I've known him."

'Still Alive and Kickin'' is extremely entertaining and well put together. There's always something interesting to be found in it, no matter how many times it's viewed. That's why I sincerely recommend purchasing your own copy of 'Still Alive and Kickin''. It will soon be available for sale to the public on DVD and video in an extended 90 minute length, with additional footage not included in the 66 minute CTV broadcast.

Further info about Ronnie Hawkins can be found on his official web site: www.ronniehawkins.com including sound clips, rare photos, interviews and reviews from the 1950s to the present time. The Hawk can be reached in regards to bookings and Hawkins merchandise via email at: thehawk@pipcom.com .

Inquiries about 'Still Alive and Kickin' can me made to Anne Pick at Real To Reel Productions, Inc. She can be contacted through her email address: annepick@r2r.ca The web site for Real To Reel Productions is: www.r2r.ca and features more info on this absolutely superb Ronnie Hawkins pop culture documentary.