Yep Roc is sad to announce that rock pioneer Ronnie Dawson passed away at his East Dallas home yesterday, September 30. He was 64. Since being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002, fans and musicians alike had rallied to help pay Dawson’s medical bills. He continued to perform even after his illness became known but was bedridden of late.

First as “Ronnie Dee” and then “The Blonde Bomber,” Dawson’s action-packed live shows and singles like “Rockin’ Bones” and “I Make the Love” made him a bright light on the early Dallas rock ’n’ roll scene. After many career stops and starts, including a brief career as R&B artist “Snake Munroe,” a stint touring with the Lightcrust Doughboys and later with The Levee Singers, Dawson’s early rockabilly recordings were rediscovered in the mid-’80s, bringing him a new crop of fans.

Touring through the ’90s, Dawson performed at both Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall and appeared twice on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. He also had a few successful releases come out in the ’90s, his latest being More Bad Habits on Yep Roc Records in 1998.

A memorial gathering will be held this Sunday, October 5 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Sons of Hermann Hall, 3414 Elm St., in Dallas.