b. Ron Kersey a.k.a. Tyrone Garfield Kersey, 7th April 1949, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
d. 25th January 2005, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
salsoul orchestra
Born in Philadelphia, Ron 'Have Mercy' Kersey was a keyboard player, who worked alongside Vince Montana in the Salsoul Orchestra, as well as being a part of the Trammps line up, a group formed in 1973.
Ron was born to Garfield and Gevoda Kersey.
He joined First Corinthian Baptist Church and was baptized at the age of twelve.
Ron grew up in North Philadelphia and graduated from Edison High School.
While at Edison, he majored in music and started lifelong friendships with Norman Harris and Ron Tyson.
He married a woman called Bernice Jones and joined the Air Force for a while. The couple were later to divorce, unfortunately.
Ron's nickname came from his playing in a band in Springfield Massachusetts. The audience would cry 'Have mercy, Mr. Kersey' and Ron liked the term, so he adpoted that within his family name.
After leaving the Air Force, Ron got back in touch with Norman Harris and joined the Philadelphia International set up.
the trammps
As mentioned, he was part of the group the Trammps, although he preferred the role of a studio musician.
Ron co-wrote the 'Saturday Night Fever' tune 'Disco Inferno'.
Ron wrote or produced for the likes of Sweet Thunder, Janice McClain, Atlantic Starr, O'Bryan, Colonel Abrams, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osborne, Stacy Lattisaw, Gladys Knight, Anthony White, First Choice, Gloria Gaynor, Evelyn King, Rockie Robbins, Hot House feat. Heather Small, Imagination, The Right Choice, Tracie Spencer, Gerald LeVert, Robert Palmer, Gerald Alston, BB King, Grace Jones, Rose Royce, Stevie Wonder, Shelia Hutchinson (of The Emotions) and Patti LaBelle. Quite a curriculum vitae.
Ron greatly admired the, the Philadephia Eagles football team, cancelling many engagements to catch their matches.
His sister Toni was his caretaker after his stroke in March 1997. She was by his side as he passed away in early 2005.
Ron's family were his mother, Gevoda, two sisters, Antoinette 'Toni' and Karrie Tawana, daughter, Kisha, stepdaughter, Desiree, stepson, Waymon, niece, Ayanna, aunts, Theresa, Kris and Everdine, uncle, CJ, three grandchildren, Nathaniel, A'shalay and Nyheim, godchildren and cousins and friends.
His funeral service was held on Wednesday 2nd February 2005.
Ron's resting place is at Rolling Green Memorial Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Ron Kersey (right), with Norman Harris, Tom Moulton and Bunny Sigler
