About Ron
Seldom has music seen a more versatile, talented, and dynamic performer than Ron Ellington Shy. His background is rich in traditional blues, jazz, and rock'n roll. Born in the Cleveland area, Ron migrated to all points west in his search for the perfect blend of the multi-instruments, voice and music he learned to cultivate in his youth.
His voice grew with his repertoire of musical instruments and love of the sounds that were evolving on radio stations across the country. His roots touch the early days of rock music, but have seamlessly grown into popular music that is universally enjoyed by young and old alike. So too did his performing skills that used his gifted voice with a boundless personality to draw audiences into the emotions of his songs.
He still stirs the crowds today, and he still packs them in. Nothing has changed but the calendar and some of the performers that shared the stage, the hits, and the memories of the musical magic they created together.
Ron replaced Don "Sugarcane" Harris of "Don & Dewey" and sang their a huge hit, "Leavin' It All Up To You" that topped the charts and remains a classic to this day. He played with the Drifters, the Coasters, and participated in dozens of recording sessions that produced the finest rock music that still survives the test of time. The songs still play, the memories remain, and Ron Ellington Shy keeps on playin'!
Ron also played with the Platters, Checkmates and had the hit TV show Shy & Hendricks. With Marvin & Johnny he has "Cherry Pie" on his resume. For the Alley Cats he did the hit "Puddin' In Tan." With the Valients he performed "This Is The Night." He formed the group Little Julian Herrara & the Tigers, and wrote the Gold Record "I Remember Linda."
At the Greek Theatre he performed with Bobby Vee, Jerry Wallace, Little Eva, The Robins, and Brian Hyland. He was the opening act for Roger Miller at the Sahara in Lake Tahoe. He was at the Paramount in NY with Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Joey Dee and the Starlighters. He also sang with Miss Mabel King at the Hollywood Bowl.
Ron Shy has also had live concert and appearances at the Sahara Hotel in Lake Tahoe, The Tropicana, Sahara, Frontier, and Mint hotels in Las Vegas. Ron played before 52,000 roaring fans at the Super-Summer Exhibition in Vancouver, Canada. The late-great Moses Armstrong was a close, personal friend, and they played together for many years.
He did Record Hops with Radio Hall of Famer, Casy Kasem, at KRLA radio in Los Angeles. Ron also appeared in notable TV shows like Dallas, Knotts Landing, Falcon Crest, and Jake & the Fatman. Some of his commercials have included Right Guard Deodorant, Lincoln-Mercury, Sheridan Hotels, Church's Chicken, and the California Lottery.
Ron's acting career includes film roles in Hammerlock (with Pat Morita), Hell To Pay (Lee Majors), and Gang Warz (Robert Vaughn).
Along the way, Ron Shy found time to headline with "Don & Dewey" in London, the Aladin in Las Vegas, and the Americana in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He's also headlined at the Playboy Club in Lake Geneva, St Louis, and Los Angeles. He produced the "Ron Ellington Shy Show" for United Artist Television.
Going back to his roots in Cleveland, Ron performed with Sinbad, Kevin Pollak, Bobby Collins, Mark Curry, Harland Williams, and Frank Caliendo at the famous Pickwick & Frolics. He was with Michael McDonald at the Palace in Cleveland. Ron served as "Musical Director" at WKYC Channel 3 during this period.
More recently, Ron has opened for George Wallace at the Flamingo, and performed with Tommy Davidson ("In Living Color") at the Riviera in Las Vegas.
Ron Shy is clearly an entertainment machine. The multi-talented singer-songwriter, with his charisma and charm, now extends his stage right into the audience. The Las Vegas Showman extraordinaire transforms a tired audience into a frenzied fan-club.
He plays keyboard with the best, and is an outstanding singer, sax player, trombonist, drummer, and can play bass. He picks a mean guitar, and incorporates his harmonica whenever the mood is right. His dynamic style of non-stop music fits all generations with variety, class, and energy. You have to see/hear him to believe him!
The last of a generation of singing talent that spans the ages of rock music.