Wicked Productions - Ronald Koal Live Recordings

You never know what you're going to find when you start Googling, take this bootleg live recording of the Ronald Koal Band at Chelsie's from September 2nd, 1989. There are interesting comments below, including from the drummer at the time, Jeff Wentz. The entire show is currently available for download. This is one of three different shows available to check out, including a show at Ruby Tuesday's in 1987 and the Newport in 1988.

Destination Zero - The Fast Short Life Of Ronald Koal

On Wednesdays, typically I post an article about the artist or band I'm highlighting for the week. This one is a bit different, as I want to draw attention to the in-progress documentary being made about Ronald Koal called Destination Zero - The Fast Short Life Of Ronald Koal. Here's a bit of info:

Ronald was genuinely talented and never really got where he wanted to be. Most people that watched his progress seemed to just assume there was going to be a time when he got his big break. It just never happened.  He sacrificed so much in the name of achieving his goals. 

Ronald's progress was dictated to some degree by the times he lived in and the challenges that those times presented almost all musicians. The film is as much about those other musicians as it is about Ronald. 

The documentary offers a wide overview of the time and the challenges Ronald faced.  While those that knew or knew of Ronald help explain what was so special about him, The music industry pros witnessed first hand the huge changes in the industry and the "how and the why" that determined who got picked and others didn't.  The film explores the reality of what happens when you do "make it." 

New Additions: Ronald Koal And The Trillionaires self-titled 1983 Album

Ronald Koal was a name I heard long before I started on this project. I knew he was something of a legend, opening for big bands in the 80s, and dying too young, but I didn't get my hands on any of the music until this project. I'm glad I did, as this is the sort of well-produced, catchy and inventive rock/new wave-ish sound that, while clearly of the 80s, does not sound particularly dated. I was able to grab a rather inexpensive copy of the self-titled Trillionaires record of Discogs, and was happy to get my hands on it since the album is hard track down for listening otherwise.

Know Yer Artist: Ronald Koal

Artist: Ronald Koal (Robert Gooslin, Jr.)

Bands
Ronald Koal And The Trillionaires
Ronald Koal Band
Kid Koal
Daddy Long Legs
Ice Machine
Messiah Factory

Releases
1981 - Ronald Koal And The Trillionaires What A Bargain! 7" single (No Other Records)
1982 - Ronald Koal And The Trillionaires Destination Zero 7" single (No Other Records)
1983 - Ronald Koal And The Trillionaires s/t album (No Other Records)
1988 - Ronald Koal track on Exhibit C: Ohio's Undercurrent (Play Records)
1990 - Ronald Koal Band White Light album (Watertower Records)