Ron was also a “studio musician” (“session musician”) and helped create approximately 25 early rock recordings for two record companies. Several of these recorded songs were released to the public and became national or regional hits. The original records are now being sold as collector records. Some of the songs are included in more than 30 different “Oldies” or “Legends” albums and collections that are still being sold by record and music companies in a dozen different countries around the world.

Ron was NOT a “front man” (star of the group). He was one of those people playing and singing in the background. Ron Meeks played electric bass guitar, sang background harmony and was a music arranger. He performed with more than a dozen different bands including several famous entertainers from that era.

Ron Meeks discontinued his active rock music career in 1965 and moved from Ohio to Arizona for health reasons. Once settled in Arizona, he started his commerce law and finance practice, which has been his primary profession until his recent semi-retirement.

In 2017 Ron was added to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee as one of the “Legends that helped create Rock and Roll Music”. That Hall of Fame is now a rockabilly museum.
Throughout Ron’s career, he has been a public speaker relating to this and other subjects of general interest at more than 60 events at many different locations in and near the United States.

In addition to his regular business activities, Ron found time to perform free as a musician to benefit various charitable organizations, particularly at events for the homeless. Although his early years in music were primarily in rock and roll (also referred to as rockabilly music), he also played traditional jazz, blues, swing, country and gospel music to appeal to more audiences and situations. During recent years, he made recordings and public appearances playing these styles.

Some of Ron’s most enjoyable music events occurred during the last 20 years after his children, and then his grandchildren, were growing up. All 3 of his children, and several grandchildren are musicians. Ron and his children have produced some good recordings made by his “family bands”.

Ron Meeks has learned from experience that many people are interested in the music and lifestyle of the 1950’s and early 60’s. Although he no longer performs as a musician, he still loves to share his unique experiences through public speaking so that others can recall and enjoy their musical memories and experiences from the past while expanding their understanding of music during those early years.

Ron was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. His family moved into a historic part of Akron in 1951. Shortly after moving in, Ron learned that two doors down the street from his house was a museum that had been the home of the famous abolitionist John Brown. The property that Ron’s house was located on was also part of the Brown property prior to the Civil War. Across the street was another museum honoring another famous individual named Simon Perkins from the pre-Civil War era. Ron was given free access to both museums, so he spent many hours in and around those museums.

Ron’s interest in the Civil War was further primed when he visited several battlefield sites in the south during the next few years. He learned that his father was born in a Civil War Battlefield town, located very close to several other famous Civil War Battlefield National Parks. Additional research revealed that his grandfather’s childhood home had been taken over by the Confederate Army for several months during the war and was used by a prominent general for his headquarters. Ron found several books and articles mentioning that fact and showing photos of the house.

When Ron was in his early teens, he got a job working in a nearby cemetery after school. As he worked there, he learned that the cemetery was not only for burying Akron citizens, but it was also a Civil War Memorial Cemetery containing the graves of hundreds of Civil War soldiers.

Another surprising connection occurred as Ron researched more and more. He learned that the building next door to the McLean House in Appomattox Court House, Virginia where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant was a Meeks General Store. Ron knew that his ancestors had been in the General Store business during the Civil War but had not known that one of those stores was located in such a famous location.

All of these surprising connections to the Civil War fueled Ron’s lifelong interest in learning more about the American Civil War at a very personal level. He continues his research to this day.
As part of his research, Ron has studied war records of ancestors and others. These records detail their specific history during the war including where they went, what battles they fought, and other information. He has read many personal letters written by soldiers to families and friends during the war. He has studied weaponry, life and death experiences, specific battles and other aspects.
Ron has become quite knowledgeable about the Civil War and shares this information in his speeches. He also invites the audience to join in the discussions. He looks forward to speaking before new groups of people with interest and enthusiasm.