Ron Heathman is a big fan of fresh-roasted coffee. He played guitar in the Supersuckers for 21 years and graduated from Santa Rita High School a long time ago. He is currently working at Sparkroot Coffee Bar + Fare in downtown Tucson.
What was the first concert you attended?
Heart and Firefall at the Tucson Convention Center, in 1977, I believe. Mom took me. It was awesome.
What are you listening to these days?
At this moment, nothing, but in general, I am listening to Psychedelic Soul by the Temptations a lot. That and the last Black Keys record.
What was the first album you owned?
Alice Cooper's Welcome to My Nightmare. It was on 8-track.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone seem to love, but you just don't get?
Anything with blatant Auto-Tuning in it. That crap hits my ears ugly!
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
I would love to have seen Jimi Hendrix when he first arrived in England—if only to see the look on Eric Clapton's face.
Musically speaking, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
I would say ABBA, but I don't feel guilty about that anymore. "Toxic" by Britney Spears. I love that song.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
I do not want a funeral, but I suppose "Ramble On" by Led Zeppelin would be appropriate.
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
The Replacements! I first heard them on Virgin Vinyl hosted by Jonathan L. I haven't been the same since.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Exile on Main St.