Rock & Roll and Civil War Talks

Ron Meeks has lived an extraordinary life shaped by three deep interests: the birth of Rock and Roll, the American Civil War, and the law. He brings the stories, knowledge, and insights from all three into compelling presentations that engage, educate, and entertain. 

 Ron was there at the beginning. From 1957 to 1965, he performed professionally during the first generation of Rock and Roll music—playing electric bass, arranging music, and singing harmony for more than a dozen bands across approximately 420 live performances. As a studio musician, he helped create roughly 25 early rock recordings, several of which became national and regional hits. Those recordings live on: his work appears in more than 30 "Oldies" and "Legends" collections still sold worldwide.

In 2017, Ron was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee as one of the "Legends that helped create Rock and Roll Music."

Though he stepped away from performing in 1965, Ron never lost his love for the music or the era. Today, he shares those memories and experiences with audiences who want to relive and understand the early days of rock and roll—a unique perspective from someone who was actually there, creating the sound that changed American culture.

The American Civil War: Personal and Profound

For nearly 65 years, Ron has been a serious student of the American Civil War. But his interest isn't academic alone—it's deeply personal.

Growing up in Akron, Ohio, Ron lived surrounded by Civil War history: his childhood home sat on property once owned by the famous abolitionist John Brown. His father was born in a Civil War battlefield town. His grandfather's home was occupied by Confederate forces and used as a general's headquarters. And remarkably, a Meeks General Store once stood next to the McLean House at Appomattox Court House, where Lee surrendered to Grant.

These connections sparked a lifetime of serious research:

• 50+ battlefield and museum visits
• Nearly 200 Civil War publications and primary sources
• Personal war records and letters from ancestors and soldiers
• Deep knowledge of battles, weapons, tactics, and personal stories

Ron doesn't just study history—he lives it. He shares what he's learned with others who want to understand the Civil War more deeply, and he helps guide people researching their own ancestors' roles in this pivotal moment in American history.