Mark Ronson Revealed in CNN Interview
Mark Ronson – popstar, DJ and producer - talks to CNN’s Revealed programme about working with Amy Winehouse and Duran Duran, as well as how he got the inspiration for his band’s name.
The London-born son of wealthy Manhattan socialites, Ronson grew up with music and celebrity at the kitchen table and made his name as a DJ on the New York club scene in 1993. Today in 2010, he is the person behind Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen.
The biggest names in pop line up to feature on Ronson's collaborative albums; he's produced Macy Gray, Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse, Robbie Williams, Duran Duran, and Kanye West, and his accolades include a Brit for best male solo artist and a Grammy for best producer. The music producer, pop star, DJ and networker extraordinaire has a golden rolodex and is now bringing his contacts together for his next musical venture.
Revealed follows Ronson as he prepares to release his latest album, "Record Collection," in September - featuring Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes and a track with Boy George, as well as hip-hop star Wiley. Ronson says it sprang from "four or five months of jamming with my favourite musicians in the world." While working with Lady Gaga in 2007, the pop diva suggested Ronson take some singing lessons - and almost three years later he is due to get behind the mic himself for the first time.
Revealed follows Ronson in rehearsals with his band, goes behind the scenes on the making of one of his music videos, and gets exclusive backstage access to the band as they prepare to take the stage at London's Lovebox festival.
With "Record Collection," he is breaking out of the comfort zone of cover versions, in part a nudge at the barrage of criticism from music magazines which met "Version," his previous album. Ronson is taking the spotlight, but the perfect quiff and razor sharp suits won’t hide his nerves. What has made the self-deprecating Ronson such a success? Perhaps his coolness is the key. He brushes off his accolades humbly - on the star Amy Winehouse he simply says "if anything, I think Amy is more responsible for me being where I am than maybe the other way around."
During the interview, he talks about working with Amy Winehouse, on-stage nerves, life in the fast-lane and his ever-changing hairstyle.
Revealed is CNN’s monthly, half-hour show that gets under the skin of the world’s brilliant thinkers, creative champions and inspirational leaders. Revealed offers a glimpse of the private people behind their public profiles in the run up to important moments in their lives.
Show times on CNN International: Wednesday 15th September at 0930 and 1730 BST; Saturday 18th September at 0930, 1530 and 2130 BST; Sunday 19th September at 0630 and 1830 BST; Monday 20th September at 0430 BST
