Mark Ronson Recalls Childhood Memory of Being Tucked in by Robin Williams
Nine-time Grammy winner Mark Ronson is releasing his debut memoir, Night People, which details his early years as a DJ in New York City. A surprising anecdote from his childhood involves an encounter with the late actor and comedian, Robin Williams.
A Nighttime Visit from Mork
Ronson describes a unique childhood growing up in London with parents who hosted lavish parties frequented by rock stars and celebrities. One night, he was awakened by his mother and Robin Williams, star of his favorite TV show, Mork & Mindy.
"I was four years old, or whatever, in London, 1979," Ronson recalls. "And my door opens and Robin Williams comes in... he tucked me in and left. As I was falling asleep, I remember just being like, 'You forgot—' and he knew exactly what I wanted. He just turned around and he was like, 'Nanu nanu' [the greeting and farewell from Mork & Mindy]." This experience, he says, instilled in him the notion that "night is fun and daytime is difficult."
I got pretty early on that night is fun and daytime is difficult. - Mark Ronson
Reunion and Remembrance
Years later, before his rise to fame as a producer, Ronson encountered Williams at a restaurant. He mustered the courage to remind the actor of their childhood meeting. Williams remembered the house on Circus Road and commented on the "wild parties" Ronson's parents threw.
Ronson said that DJ’ing in Nineties New York City informed everything he ever did after, becoming the foundation for all my future work and creativity.
Ronson's Memoir: Night People
Night People explores Ronson's formative years as a DJ in 1990s New York City and the influence of his nocturnal experiences on his music. He calls the book a "love letter to a vanished era" and wanted to "capture that transformative period of my life and celebrate three of my great loves: the art of DJ’ing, the thrilling energy of New York City after dark, and the wild and wonderful characters who populated our world and became my second family."
Ronson added that the book shaped not just my career but my identity — a time when finding my craft put me on the path to finding myself." Night People is available now.
