Los Angeles, CA. based iconic rock drummer, Ron Whitaker has been appointed chief musical diplomat for the Naga- American Council by “honorary president of Nagalim”, Grace Collins.
During his 40 plus year career, Whitaker has received over 20 music awards including being inducted into the California Music Hall of Fame (CMHF) 2023. As president and CEO for Hope for the Homeless Los Angeles Humanitarian Project, he has been honored with over 50 awards including the prestigious Humanitarian of the Year Hollywood Celebrity Star in 2015. He was awarded “Drummer of the Year” for the entire United States in 2007. This April, he will be adding to his long list the 202 California Music Hall of Fame Lifetime Humanitarian Award for musicians who have used their tale to support humanitarian projects.
Whitaker has played with members of legendary bands such as Guns N` Roses, Paul McCartney and Wings, Albert Lee, Rod Steward, The Runaways with Cherrie Currie, The Knack and many more. Besides the countless bands he has played with, he has produced over 60 concerts.
As Musical Diplomat, his responsibilities will include organizing his vast network of musicians to produce benefit concerts to help with the crusade to free Nagalim of its political struggle from India.
Collins, inspired by the recent Musical Diplomat position established September 27, 2023 by the US Department of State Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, created a similar position tailored to fit Naga American Council goals, a non-profit which she founded over 23 years ago.