Ronnie Premiere is really Ronnie Barzyk who was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 11 August 1938. A white kid who grew up in a black neighborhood, Ronnie could write great songs very quickly and then sing them with soul. He sang for a local group called The Comic Books. Voice troubles forced him to quit singing in the mid-1960’s. He moved from Milwaukee to nearby Merton. You might have heard him performing in the West Bend area in 1977 using the name Ron Bishop. In 1984 he moved to Nashville to become a cabinet maker.
This song was reissued for national distribution on Laurie 3091. Here’s the original pressing of Angel In My Eyes (You May Not Be An Angel) by Ronnie Premiere And The Royal Lancers on Sara 1020 from December 1960:
And here’s the flip side, So Loved Am I:
The Royal Lancers worked with several vocalists over the years. The core members were vocalist Paul Stefan (Stefaniak), Doug Tank on lead guitar, John Pavlik on rhythm guitar, Roy Malvitz on bass, Hal Block on sax, and Lee Breest on drums.
A lot of great music came out of Wisconsin in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and you can read all about it in a couple of excellent books written by Gary E. Myers, Do You Hear That Beat and On That Wisconsin Beat. I highly recommend both of them!
I’m on my way to Nashville now, but I’ll try to post some more stuff this week if I can! In the meantime, this would be a great time to check out MusicMaster Oldies!
Roy Malvitz is my Grandpa and you are right he did play bass. He is actually starting to play the bass again. You can actually listen to Ronnie Premiere And The Royal Lancers music on 96.7 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
Your grandpa was the best just listen to that voice ask him about me Johnny Green from door county Sturgeon Bay WI.
My Bro. and myself worked with Ron for many years in Milwaukee. He was fun and talented. He really could writes songs just about anything. He had a voice that made you think of Tom Jones.
Dennis Z.
I will ask my grandpa about you tomorrow. My grandpa also is making music again with Doug Tank. Doug Tank is actually planning on moving back up to Wisconsin after he sells his house in Kansas.