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Axl Rose (
GUNS N' ROSES),
Tom Keifer (
CINDERELLA),
Matt Heafy (
TRIVIUM) and
Myles Kennedy (
ALTER BRIDGE) are among the musicians who have paid tribute to vocal coach
Ron Anderson who died on Sunday (December 19) at the age of 75. No cause of death has been revealed.
Anderson, one of the world's most accomplished and in-demand vocal coaches, has helped many of the music's biggest stars to achieve extraordinary range and exquisite control. Over the past 40 years, he has worked with major artists from across all genres. Pop royalty like
Ariana Grande,
Gwen Stefani to R&B legends such as
Mary J. Blige and
Alicia Keys were among his students. He also worked with rock and roll icons like
Ozzy Osbourne and
Rose.
Axl took to his
Twitter on Monday (December 20) to share the following statement: "Very sad to learn of the passing of my friend and vocal coach
Ron Anderson. I knew
Ron for 35 years. He was always there when I needed him. To say
Ron really knew his craft is a huge understatement.
"Thanks
Ron for always having the right answer when it was needed most! You're already missed!" he continued. "However good God's choir might be, I know you'll make it a hell of a lot better!!!"
Keifer also paid tribute to
Anderson on
Twitter, writing: "I'm saddened to hear that my vocal coach and friend
Ron Anderson has passed. Sometimes life brings just the right person to you when you need it most.
Ron literally re-taught me how to sing at a time I didn't think I would ever be able to sing again. There are really no words that could possibly begin to thank him for how he changed my life. I know there are many other singers who feel the same way. He was an inspirational teacher and a wonderful human being. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP
Ron Anderson".
Heafy wrote on
Instagram: "Rest In Peace to
Ron Anderson - a man who saved my career and life.
"My heart and condolences go out to
Pipe and
Ron's entire family - especially every artist he's ever trained (and likely saved).
"In 2014, I blew my voice out and had to cancel the rest of a tour - sending crew and band home; fans without shows. I got a text from
Matt from [
AVENGED SEVENFOLD] saying 'I heard what happened. How can I help?' I asked
Matt what he did when this happened to him - he connected me instantly with
Ron.
"
Ron is one of the most caring, sweet, genuine, talented, knowledgeable people I've had had the privilege of learning from. It was an honor when he asked if I'd help demo his amazing app, site, and method.
"
Ron. You will be forever missed. Thank you for saving my career. You will be missed and forever loved."
Kennedy wrote: "
Ron Anderson was the musical equivalent of a Jedi Master. He had the ability to unlock a singer's potential with his incredible wealth of knowledge about the human voice which ultimately allowed his students to express themselves through the power of music. I will be forever grateful for his mentoring and friendship over the last 25 years. A wonderful human and teacher who's big voice and infinite wisdom had a profound effect on so many of us. Rest In Peace my friend."
Anderson's career began over 50 years ago as an opera singer. Ron was a baritone but soon transitioned to a demanding tenor role, and then he performed in some of the most renowned opera houses across Europe and North America.
Ron initially studied under the world's finest voice teachers, including
Dr. Fritz Zweig,
Raimund Herincx and
Benvenuto Finelli.
Utilizing his intimate knowledge of the body and vocal cords,
Ron began training top performers in the mid-1970s in cities including Los Angeles, Nashville, Miami, New York, London, and Moscow. Known for delivering astoundingly fast yet sustainable results,
Anderson also established himself as a leading vocal producer, with countless artists calling on him for help in reaching peak performance during the recording process. With many
Grammy Award-winning and platinum-selling albums under his belt, he had also become a go-to vocal coach for the film and TV industry, working with such A-list actors as
Tom Cruise,
Demi Moore,
Brad Pitt and
Anne Hathaway in preparing for roles involving singing.
Anderson had also devoted a great deal of time to touring with artists, accompanying his students on the road to provide regular vocal tune-ups and hands-on instruction in properly protecting the voice.
