Ron brings music to the CBD

RON Sinclair each week brings music to Ballina's CBD - which he hopes brightens up the town centre during some tough economic times.

The 67-year-old has been busking in River St every Thursday or Friday for eight months or so, and has received positive feedback from passersby, as well as a little "pocket money".

There was a little furphy going around that he once played in the Australian band The Easybeats.

But the Scottish-born instrumental guitarist laughed that off.

"I've never played in a band in my life," he said.

His favourite music is from The Shadows, along with some country.

He has heard a rumour that The Shadows' lead guitarist, Hank B Marvin, lives in the Byron Bay area, and Ron would love to meet him.

"That would be a dream come true," he said.

Ron has had plenty to do with high-profile musicians in the past.

He migrated to Australia in 1971 by enlisting in the Royal Australian Air Force.

He served in the RAAF as a police dog-handler for 20 years.

Posted to Sydney, he was able to moonlight in security and worked at the famous Hordern Pavilion where he met the likes of Sir Elton John, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, Roy Orbison and many more big names.

Some of the famous Australians he has rubbed shoulders with include John Farnham, AC/DC and Dragon.

Ron has been playing guitar since he was nine years old but has only ever played as a hobby.

He lives at Wardell but also spends several months each year caravanning with his wife.

He has a Ballina Shire Council busking licence, which he displays as directed by council's policy.

The "pocket money" the pensioner earns in the street helps pay for some of his travels.

Ron plays for private functions, and said he was more than happy to play for charity work, too. He has been a regular at the Ballina market.

Talk to him in River St.