Painting, Ronnie Hawkins
Object number2012.203.02
Date2002-2003
MediumAcrylic on Wood
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
DescriptionA painting of Fayetteville, Arkansas native and musician, Ronnie Hawkins. Ronald “Ronnie” Hawkins (January 10, 1935-) is a rockabilly musician whose career has spanned over fifty years and began in Arkansas. Hawkins was born in Huntsville, Arkansas and at the age of nine his family moved to Fayetteville. While studying at the University of Arkansas, Hawkins formed his first band named The Hawks. In their early career, The Hawks toured throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Hawkins also owned and operated the Rockwood Club in Fayetteville where some of rock and roll’s earliest pioneers came to play including Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Conway Twitty.
While touring in Canada, Hawkins became an overnight success after playing at the Golden Rail Tavern in Ontario. He eventually moved to Ontario and enjoyed musical success in Canada. Hawkins has worked with several influential artists such as John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Bob Dylan. He also had a career as an actor with credits in Heaven’s Gate, Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II and Bob Dylan’s Renaldo and Clara. In recent years, Hawkins battled and recovered from pancreatic cancer. His story can be watched in the film Ronnie Hawkins: Still Alive and Kicking. Ronnie Hawkins is the recipient of a Juno Award, a Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences’ Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award and a Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers Special Achievement Award as well as induction to Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
The painting is multichromatic acrylic on wood and features a portrait of Hawkins in a suit and tie on a red background with "Ronnie Hawkins" painted in black.
Status
Not on viewCollections
