A longtime staple of the Lansing local music scene passed away unexpectedly last week. This weekend, family and friends will gather to say farewell and pay tribute to Ronnie Hernandez.

Hernandez has been well known in the local music circle since the early 1970's, playing in the bands Danny Hernandez & The Ones, and his band Sweet Energy. It was with Sweet Energy , in 1977, that Hernandez would find regional success with the single "Dancing In Lansing". He would later be awarded a key to The City of Lansing for the song's success.

Hernandez's obituary states that he also moved to Chicago and took that music scene by storm, highlighted by the chance to sing the National Anthem at Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs opening Day in 1991. Ronnie also spent a portion of time building a following in northern Michigan around Traverse City.

Memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, August 17 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at City Life Church, inside the former Hill Vocational Academy at 5825 Wise Road in Lansing.

On Sunday, August 18, family and friends are organizing a benefit tribute concert for Ronnie at Reno's North, 16460 Old US-27 at 3:00 PM.Among the many bannds and musicians performing are local favorites La Corporacion, Stan Budzynski and Third Degree, and Frog and The Beeftones. A donation of $10 would be appreciated to help the Hernandez Family cover memorial service costs.

 

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