| About the Band |
Ron's Garage was formed in 1995 and started in, you guessed it, Ron Wheeler's garage.
I needed a couple of subs for an upcoming gig and knew Ron and his friend, Paul
Babiak from the circuit. We rehearsed in that now infamous garage and we were quite
pleased with the chemistry and harmony of our personalities and of the music.That first
gig together was a success so we started a side project called Ron's Garage. Paul moved
on a few years later and Claudio Martin joined the band. We next added Gary Taylor as
our full time drummer/percussionist. This quartet is the core of Ron's Garage. The
talented Rob Gironda is our current bass player and we've had the pleasure of working
some some of San Diego's finest bass players.
Needless to say, that side project is now my main project. The band's musical focus has
always been the classic rock of the 60's and 70's but we just like to perform good music
so it really doesn't matter what decade it comes from. You can check out the set list for
a comprehensive listing. Ron's Garage is available for your corporate and private parties
performing as a duo, trio, quartet or full band. Claudio and I can also perform as a
classical duo.
For booking contact: Gonzo@RonsGarageBand.co
I needed a couple of subs for an upcoming gig and knew Ron and his friend, Paul
Babiak from the circuit. We rehearsed in that now infamous garage and we were quite
pleased with the chemistry and harmony of our personalities and of the music.That first
gig together was a success so we started a side project called Ron's Garage. Paul moved
on a few years later and Claudio Martin joined the band. We next added Gary Taylor as
our full time drummer/percussionist. This quartet is the core of Ron's Garage. The
talented Rob Gironda is our current bass player and we've had the pleasure of working
some some of San Diego's finest bass players.
Needless to say, that side project is now my main project. The band's musical focus has
always been the classic rock of the 60's and 70's but we just like to perform good music
so it really doesn't matter what decade it comes from. You can check out the set list for
a comprehensive listing. Ron's Garage is available for your corporate and private parties
performing as a duo, trio, quartet or full band. Claudio and I can also perform as a
classical duo.
For booking contact: Gonzo@RonsGarageBand.co
| Support Local Music, Gonzo |
| Band Bios |
| Ron Wheeler: Guitar/Vocals |
I was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Was involved in choir
at school from first grade. Graduated from Raytown South
High in 1970. I attended the University of Missouri Music
Conservatory, studying vocal music. Inducted into the Navy
in 1971 and moved to Lemoore, Ca. In 1975 I moved to
San Diego (still with the Navy) and spent my career at
North Island Naval Air Station, Coronado, Ca.I spent 23
years with the service, during which time I had many various
bands on board ships and stations. Played in some exotic
places such as Barcelona, Spain; Tokyo, Japan; Subic
Bay, Philippines; Alexandria, Egypt; and Nice, France. I
worked with a good friend, Ken Costa from 1984 to 1985
at a place called OHungry's, in Old Town doing the college
circuit crowd (LOTS OF FUN!). I met Gonzo and Claudio
at the Hotel del Coronado in 1991, when I returned from a
three-year tour in Japan. They were playing with their group
InVoices. I sat in occasionally and really felt comfortable
with their musical style. In 1994 I was in a duo, "Hard
Times" with a good friend, Paul Babiak. Gonzo asked us to
sub a couple of times in his group and we started practicing
in my garage. The vibe was good, the voices well suited for
each other and Ron's Garage was born...I have to admit
though; I didn't name the band... that was the other guys
doing. Paul left us in 1997 and Claudio joined our group.
We have been the three amigos since then, with Gary
Taylor coming in later as our drummer. It has certainly been
my pleasure and delight to work with, whom I believe, are
the upper crust of musicians in this town. Our thrust is
classic rock, with a great blend of other musical styles
thrown into the mix. Rock On!
at school from first grade. Graduated from Raytown South
High in 1970. I attended the University of Missouri Music
Conservatory, studying vocal music. Inducted into the Navy
in 1971 and moved to Lemoore, Ca. In 1975 I moved to
San Diego (still with the Navy) and spent my career at
North Island Naval Air Station, Coronado, Ca.I spent 23
years with the service, during which time I had many various
bands on board ships and stations. Played in some exotic
places such as Barcelona, Spain; Tokyo, Japan; Subic
Bay, Philippines; Alexandria, Egypt; and Nice, France. I
worked with a good friend, Ken Costa from 1984 to 1985
at a place called OHungry's, in Old Town doing the college
circuit crowd (LOTS OF FUN!). I met Gonzo and Claudio
at the Hotel del Coronado in 1991, when I returned from a
three-year tour in Japan. They were playing with their group
InVoices. I sat in occasionally and really felt comfortable
with their musical style. In 1994 I was in a duo, "Hard
Times" with a good friend, Paul Babiak. Gonzo asked us to
sub a couple of times in his group and we started practicing
in my garage. The vibe was good, the voices well suited for
each other and Ron's Garage was born...I have to admit
though; I didn't name the band... that was the other guys
doing. Paul left us in 1997 and Claudio joined our group.
We have been the three amigos since then, with Gary
Taylor coming in later as our drummer. It has certainly been
my pleasure and delight to work with, whom I believe, are
the upper crust of musicians in this town. Our thrust is
classic rock, with a great blend of other musical styles
thrown into the mix. Rock On!
| Claudio Martin: Electric Guitar/Color/Vocals |
I was born in Boston and after moving around a bit, my
family moved to San Diego in 1970. My parents, both
from Argentina, played a lot of guitar records while I was
growing up. I began playing guitar when I was 16. I
graduated from Saint Augustine High School in 1977.
After high school, I attended Musician's Institute in
Hollywood, CA and upon graduation from M.I., I moved
back to San Diego and played in various local bands. After
a few years, I enrolled at Grossmont College to pursue a
degree in music with an emphasis in classical guitar.
I continued playing in local bands while I took a full load of
classes at Grossmont, where I studied with Fred Benedetti,
who had studied with on of my primary musical influences,
Andres Segovia. In 1987, I won the Classical Guitar
Competition at Grossmont College and received a
scholarship to attend San Diego State University where I
had an opportunity to study with Celin Romero.
After graduating from SDSU, I continued to play local
bands and I've been with Ron's Garage since 1997,
although, Gonzo and I go way back to our college days in
the mid-80's at Grossmont College and SDSU and as
members of the band InVoices. I was also a member of
Dr. Feelgood and the Interns of Love and currently
perform with GONZOLOGY.
family moved to San Diego in 1970. My parents, both
from Argentina, played a lot of guitar records while I was
growing up. I began playing guitar when I was 16. I
graduated from Saint Augustine High School in 1977.
After high school, I attended Musician's Institute in
Hollywood, CA and upon graduation from M.I., I moved
back to San Diego and played in various local bands. After
a few years, I enrolled at Grossmont College to pursue a
degree in music with an emphasis in classical guitar.
I continued playing in local bands while I took a full load of
classes at Grossmont, where I studied with Fred Benedetti,
who had studied with on of my primary musical influences,
Andres Segovia. In 1987, I won the Classical Guitar
Competition at Grossmont College and received a
scholarship to attend San Diego State University where I
had an opportunity to study with Celin Romero.
After graduating from SDSU, I continued to play local
bands and I've been with Ron's Garage since 1997,
although, Gonzo and I go way back to our college days in
the mid-80's at Grossmont College and SDSU and as
members of the band InVoices. I was also a member of
Dr. Feelgood and the Interns of Love and currently
perform with GONZOLOGY.
| Michael Gonzales (Gonzo): Guitar/Vocals |
I've lived in San Diego most of my life. I graduated from
Morse High in 1976. Went to all the junior colleges in San
Diego while trying to figure out what I wanted to be when
I grew up. I dropped out after a few years and started
playing music for a living. Did this for quite a few years
and while it was artistically gratifying, at the time, it wasn't
financially lucrative. So, I ended up back at Grossmont
College to study my favorite subject: music. It was here
that my long standing friendship with Claudio began. I
studied classical guitar with Fred Benedetti. A year later, I
transferred to SDSU as a music major with an emphasis
in education. My guitar teacher at State was Celin
Romero of the famous Romero family. After a couple of
years, I finished my studies and started teaching at Francis
Parker School. I've been at Parker for 17 years now.
Parker is a wonderful school and there is no other place
that I'd like to be teaching.
In 1990, Claudio and I started the band InVoices which
featured one of San Diego's best female vocalists, Vicki
Magiorie. Vicki eventually moved back to New York
around 1994 and Claudio and I continued with the band
in various lineups for another year and a half. Eventually,
due to remodeling, our 5 year run at the Ocean Terrace
Lounge at the Hotel Del Coronado came to an end and
unfortunately so did the band. It was about this time that
Ron's Garage was starting to make some noise on the
club scene and the depature of Paul Babiak opened the
door for Claudio Martin to rejoin his old college friend in
another musical adventure.
I was member of Hot Monkey Love, Hera's Olive
and Sweet Blue Onion. I am currently working in
another side group called GONZOLOGY with Phil Lean
on bass and vocals, Claudio on guitar and vocals and
Gary on drums.
It has been a wonderful musical road and sharing it with
Claudio, Ron, Gary and the rest of the talented
"mechanics" has truly been amazing! I suspect this journey
is long from being over!
Morse High in 1976. Went to all the junior colleges in San
Diego while trying to figure out what I wanted to be when
I grew up. I dropped out after a few years and started
playing music for a living. Did this for quite a few years
and while it was artistically gratifying, at the time, it wasn't
financially lucrative. So, I ended up back at Grossmont
College to study my favorite subject: music. It was here
that my long standing friendship with Claudio began. I
studied classical guitar with Fred Benedetti. A year later, I
transferred to SDSU as a music major with an emphasis
in education. My guitar teacher at State was Celin
Romero of the famous Romero family. After a couple of
years, I finished my studies and started teaching at Francis
Parker School. I've been at Parker for 17 years now.
Parker is a wonderful school and there is no other place
that I'd like to be teaching.
In 1990, Claudio and I started the band InVoices which
featured one of San Diego's best female vocalists, Vicki
Magiorie. Vicki eventually moved back to New York
around 1994 and Claudio and I continued with the band
in various lineups for another year and a half. Eventually,
due to remodeling, our 5 year run at the Ocean Terrace
Lounge at the Hotel Del Coronado came to an end and
unfortunately so did the band. It was about this time that
Ron's Garage was starting to make some noise on the
club scene and the depature of Paul Babiak opened the
door for Claudio Martin to rejoin his old college friend in
another musical adventure.
I was member of Hot Monkey Love, Hera's Olive
and Sweet Blue Onion. I am currently working in
another side group called GONZOLOGY with Phil Lean
on bass and vocals, Claudio on guitar and vocals and
Gary on drums.
It has been a wonderful musical road and sharing it with
Claudio, Ron, Gary and the rest of the talented
"mechanics" has truly been amazing! I suspect this journey
is long from being over!
| Gary Taylor: Drums/Cajon/Percussion |
| Someday, Gary will submit a bio for this page. Until then, know this: Gary Taylor is the best drummer I've ever had the pleasure of sharing a stage with. Without a doubt, he's my personal favorite. He's one of the most in demand musicians in San Diego. He can be seen playing drums or cajon with Ron's Garage, Hera's Olive, The Steely Damned, The Carrie Weiland Band and Red Snapper. Gonzo |
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