He may be most famous for helping cultivate The Band, a group of mostly Canadian musicians hailing from Southwestern Ontario who started off as his back up group called the Hawks, later backed Bob Dylan and then eventually broke out on their own.In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono spent several weeks at his home in Mississauga, Ontario as part of their world peace campaign.
Hawkins was also an actor with roles in several notable films. He played Bob Dylan in the 1978 film Renaldo and Clara, that was directed by Bob Dylan. He also played roles in Heaven’s Gate , Meatballs III: Summer Job , as well as other movies and TV series. In 2002, the City of Toronto honoured Rompin’ Ronnie, as he was sometimes called, with a key to the city and induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame in recognition of his lifetime contribution to music and his generous support of the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario and other charitable organizations.
He was an amazing entertainer even in his later years. Rest in peace.
The Hawk. RIP.