Ron Holden

Rolan Webster "Ron" Holden (August 7, 1939 – January 22, 1997)

In 1969, Holden, as singer/entertainer, formed a six piece rock and R&B band: Ron Holden & Good News. Good News performed at various clubs and festivals in the Seattle/Tacoma area for about eight months. The group members were Charles Jefferson (trumpet), Bob Cozzetti (trumpet), Tim Gemmill (tenor saxophone & flute), Steve Swartz (drums), Toby Cyer (electric guitar) and Bruce Ransom (electric bass & guitar). Influences included James Brown, Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

History Holden was discovered by Larry Nelson, who had just left work as a police officer to start his own record label. In 1959, Holden recorded the single "Love You So", which became a hit in the U.S., peaking at No. 11 on the US Billboard R&B chart and No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1960. Donna Records, owned by record company producer Bob Keane, bought the rights to Holden's recordings shortly after and issued a full LP entitled Love You So; this record was re-issued by Del-Fi Records in 1994.

He died of a heart attack in Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico in 1997.