Ronnie Peel

Ronald Robert Peel (9 August 1946 – 1 November 2020), also known by his stage name Rockwell T. James, was an Australian guitarist, singer, and songwriter.

Peel was a member of numerous bands, beginning with the Missing Links and the Pleazers in the mid-1960s, followed by the La De Da's from 1972 to 1975, and later performing in various backing bands for John Paul Young (1975–1979, 1983, 1986–2003). In 1977, he released a solo album, Shot of Rhythm and Blues, under the Rockwell T. James pseudonym, which produced his only top 40 single, "Roxanne". He also co-wrote "Rock Me Gently" (October 1976) for Sherbet, which became a top 10 hit for the group. Peel died in 2020 from cancer.

Career Peel began his career in music in the early 1960s as bass guitarist for Port Macquarie surf band the Mystics. In early 1964 Peel on bass guitar and harmonica and Mystics' lead guitarist Dave Boyne joined the Missing Links. With a New Zealand recording contract and a club residency, they soon relocated to Auckland where the group released hit singles and developed significant local following. Peel left the band in late 1966 and returned to Australia. Early in 1967 he briefly joined Ray Brown & the New Whispers on bass guitar, which became Ray Brown Three in mid-year.

Late in 1967 Peel launched his solo career under the pseudonym Rockwell T. James. which peaked at No. 52 on the Kent Music Report (retro-calculated) singles chart.

Peel relocated to the United Kingdom in 1970 and briefly joined Thunderclap Newman together with bandmate Felice-Andrews. Other members variously included Chrissy Amphlett on vocals, Wayne Bennett on drums, Dave Fookes on drums and keyboards, Danny Gordon on backing vocals, Graham Lowndes on vocals and guitar, Alison MacCallum on vocals, Peter Martin on guitar, Dallas McDermott on bass guitar, Ray Oliver on guitar, Margret Piper on backing vocals, Tim Piper on guitar, Laurie Pryor on drums, Ray Rivamonte on piano, guitar and vocals, Linsday Wells on guitar and Paul Wyld on keyboards. The reformed group released several recordings. Peel and Borich had joined vocalist Stevie Wright's Allstar Band in 1974 together with Johnny Dick on drums and Warren Morgan on keyboards (both ex-Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs).

In 1975 pop singer John Paul Young achieved his first Australian top 10 single with "Yesterday's Hero". He was recorded on Young's albums J.P.Y. (1976) and Green 1977).

During 1976–1979 Peel resurrected his Rockwell T. James persona to release further singles and a solo album, A Shot of Rhythm and Blues (October 1977) on Razzle Records/Festival Records. It reached No. 39 on the Kent Music Report top 100 singles chart. "Rollin' On" (1978) was issued as a single and both its tracks were added to the album, which was re-issued in that year as Rollin' On. They followed with a cover version of Eddie Cochran's 1958 song, "C'mon Everybody", as a single but they had broken up by mid-1984. He worked with DeMarco, Turner and Wells again in Slightly Shadey in 1987. In 2013 he formed duo the Rockwells with Bobby Fletcher. They released an album Cover Story in 2015. Peel died on 1 November 2020 of an unspecified cancer. His funeral was held on 10 November and broadcast on-line due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting attendance.

Discography

Albums

Rockwell T. James Shot of Rhythm and Blues (1977) Razzle/Festival Rolin' On (reissue, 1978) Razzle Festival

Singles

Rockwell T. James and The Rhythm Aces "Love Power" (1968)

Rockwell T. James "Come on Home" (1976) "Roxanne" (1976) "Lady Blue" (1977) "That'll Be the Day" (1977) "Rollin' On" (1978)

Ronnie Peel and Mario Millo "Let It Go"/"Rebecca" (1979)