Backstage with Ron Onesti: Sad Vibrations
The co-founder of the band “The Beach Boys,” Brian Wilson, has left us. He was 82 years old, but his music, is timeless. There is so much that can, and will, be said about this…
Backstage with Ron Onesti: Englebert “Gave-Me-A-Wink”
When I first got into this business some forty years ago, there were so many legends still at it. Icons who were a part of the birth of Rock and Roll, the British Invasion, the…
Backstage with Ron Onesti: Martin Short…Tall on St. Charles
A while back, one of comedy’s most iconic superstars made his way to our historic stage at The Arcada. It was an incredible experience with probably one of the most down to Earth individuals I…
Backstage with Ron Onesti: Raindrops Always Make Me Think of BJ Thomas
It’s been almost four years already since we lost our good friend, B.J. Thomas. I remember him smoking regularly, until he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. It was a quick exit for him,…
Backstage with Ron Onesti: Another Year Older, Another Year Lovin’ My Music!
I was born in May of 1962 so you do the math…it’s a bit painful for me! I know some of you reading this are thinking, “Oh, you’re still a baby!” And some of you…
Backstage with Ron Onesti: Reminiscing with Roberta
So, I am sitting here in a random cappuccino bar, trying to get my thoughts together about this week’s column. How it generally happens is my weekly topics just come to me, I open my…
Backstage with Ron Onesti: One Man’s Musical Journey
From 1977-1987, the rock band Journey rose to be one of the most popular and commercially successful musical acts in history. “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms,” “Faithfully” and several other of the band’s tunes have…
Backstage with Ron Onesti: A True and Holy Rock Star
The loss of Pope Francis this week has many of the Catholic faith hard. He was a kind and fair man, a leader of millions. I have been blessed in many ways, but having a…
Backstage with Ron Onesti: Where have all the ballrooms gone?
I would like to tell you about an old friend of mine who passed away during COVID. His name was Nick, or as I called him, “Uncle Nick’. He was 94 when he left us,…
Backstage with Ron Onesti: Mixing Rock Music with Italian Pleasure
As I am writing this, I am in Rome looking at ancient church-top domes with the aroma of fresh brewed espresso finding its way to my open hotel room window. I am being serenaded by…