I read a very sad article on SF Gate today that reported that Ronnie’s actual cause of death wasn’t due to complications from cancer, but rather, from suicide. Apparently Ronnie suffered from life-long depression, and it finally just got the better of him.
I’ve had my own battles with depression throughout my life, but nothing so bad that I couldn’t bring myself back from the edge. But that type of deep depression Ronnie suffered from is something I couldn’t even fathom.
But cheers to you anyway, Ronnie! You touched a lot of people in your lifetime, and even though you couldn’t fully appreciate it due to your depression, you will always be remembered with kindness.
It is with great sadness that I report that Ronnie Montrose passed away yesterday, March 3, 2012. He had been battling cancer for years, and it is believed he finally succumbed to the disease. My friend, Jeff Aragaki called me this morning to report the news. He and Ronnie had formed both a business and personal friendship last year, as Ronnie was going to be using Aracom Amps (he was introduced to them through “Mean” Gene Baker of Baker Guitars, with whom Jeff is good friends. He even had Jeff build him a prototype pre-amp to take with him on the road to plug into back-line amps so he could take his tone with him.
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