Ron Michael Kohanchuk

July 30, 1943 – April 2, 2002

Ron Kohanchuk was born July 20th, 1943 in East Selkirk, MB. His interest in accordion began at 10 years of age, when he, with his parents, visited the Hertz’s whose daughter Jeannie, then 12 years old, was showing off how well she could play her accordion. He begged his mother, Julia, to buy him an accordion. Finally, after several months, she gave in and bought him his first accordion for $250. He started lessons at Mike's Accordion School with Bruce Wagner as his teacher. Ron was a perfectionist and would rehearse relentlessly, even running home from school at lunch hour and right after class to practice.

Although Ron was very adept to reading music, he also had a “Good ear”. He could learn a piece of music by listening to another artist playing it. One of his favorite recording artist was Frankie Yankovic. Ron would listen to Frankie's records and try to duplicate his accordion stylings. It wasn't long before Ron was playing with Frankie Yankovic arrangements.

At the age of 15, Ron was very skilled musician. Word spread quickly that if you needed an accordion player, Ron was the musician to hire. He could sit in with any band and enhance their sound. One of the first gigs Ron played was Kolmititski’s Barn Dances in East Selkirk.

Ron listened to many different types of music played by various artists. He loved ethnic music, Polish, Ukrainian, German, and Irish. He also enjoyed old time and country music, texmex, and Latin American. Although Ron listened to many different artists over the years with a variety of styles, he developed a style of his own on accordion that was unmistakable and very popular.

Ron was also hired as a studio musician to back up many musicians that were cutting records of their own. One such record was recorded in Mickey and Bunny’s basement. It featured Roy Mykytyshyn as vocalist, and Peter Hnatiuk on cymbaly. Ron also played backup for the Ukrainian Oldtimers on the V-Record label.

Ron love playing with other musicians, but his desire was to develop a distinctive sound of his own. He began booking his own gigs and handpicked the musicians to play with him at those gigs. Ron succeeded in developing an unmistakable sound and style that became very popular througout the country. His first band was called “The Dreamers”. In the late 60s he changed the name to “The Common People”. As a recording artist, he made several records and audio tapes with V-Records, Maddock Studios and Sunshine Records in Winnipeg, MB. 

Ron's natural ability to play for all kinds of crowds while keeping the dance floor packed kept the crowds asking for more. 

He will be remembered as one of the best. Ron passed away on April 3rd, 2002.