Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones: Biography and Facts

He is a member of the The Rolling Stones. And for millions of people it is enough to call it legend. However, his merits and unique style of playing are what truly set him apart from his peers. To be part of such a great group, of course, is worth a lot. But you had to get in somehow, didn't you?

At one time Wood didn't just join the Jagger and Richards team. By that time he had terrific experience under his belt, experience with By Jeff Beck and By Rod Stewart. He also had his own style, his own way of looking at the game. Maybe Mick Taylor was more technical. But Wood brought to the group "primal dampness."which fit in perfectly with the Rolling style. It seems he was born for it...

Good riddance!

Ronald David (Ronnie) Wood was born on June 1, 1947, in London to a family of Roma origin. His father was a sailor and his mother was a singer and entertainer. As a boy, Ronnie, along with his brothers, grew up among a myriad of music and Spanish guitar, which undoubtedly brought him to the forefront at local parties. His love of music was very strong and he learned to play the guitar early on. His father may have wanted a different future for his sons as well, but he didn't cross him.

In 1964, at the age of 17, Wood began A professional music career. He became a guitarist. The Birdsand from that moment on, music became his main and only way of making a living. Then there was a new chapter in his life: he joined the The Jeff Beck Groupand then to the The Small Faces. By the age of 20, Ronnie was the perfect musician. His friends and mentors were Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart - they taught him the best school for an aspiring musician. Anyone could have envied him...

By 1974, full of experience and love for the guitar, as well as the great insights he had gleaned from his past bands and passed on to him by his ex-colleagues, Wood was ready for something new - fresh and far-reaching. That breakthrough was his joining The Rolling StonesWood was one of the most serious candidates at the auditions to replace Mick Taylor. Rory Gallagher declined the honor, and Peter Frampton was too good-looking for Mick Jagger, who wanted all the attention on stage to be on him alone. So, our hero was in the right place at the right time.

Not forgetting yourself

However, despite all the talent and willingness, to become one of the Rolling Stones wasn't so easy for Wood. So, the release of the album "Black and Blue" The record did not see the light of day until 1976. On it, Ronnie was forced to share his role as guitarist with two other aspiring musicians, Harvey Mandel and Wayne Perkins. On "Black and Blue" Wood appears in only half of the songs, although he is credited with "inspiring" one of the most famous compositions from the album - it is about the famous "Hey Negrita.".

At first they may have had their doubts. But Mick and Keith soon realized that by choosing Wood, they hit the bull's-eye. His style was reminiscent of "sharp pinch."And his playing has always been unique in its own way, largely due to the variety of models: Ronnie has never stuck to any one guitar, constantly trying new things and making the most of them...

Even though he joined one of the coolest rock and roll bands of his era, in the ranks of The Rolling Stones, Wood Not forgetting himself.. So, while the other guys were pondering the release of "Black and Blue," Wood made the most of that time: he recorded and released his first solo album "I've Got My Own Album to Do".

By the way, Keith and Mick (they wrote some songs for Wood), Mick Taylor and David Bowie (backing vocals), and even George Harrison took part in working on this album! It's amazing how many useful acquaintances Ronnie has had in just his 20s... It's elementary, though: he's always been great guy.He was a man who was ready to help, and the people repaid him in kind.

Between the strings and the brushes

Ronnie Wood - a great guitar soloist, but composition is not his forte (by his own admission). That said, he's not a frontman like Mick or Rod Stewart. But he doesn't need to be: he just wants to play. Even as a kid, Ronnie was into paintingand even went to art college and won local art competitions. Today he compares his musical career as a guitarist with... paintings:

"I just imagine that the strings are brushes..."

Ronnie's evolution as a guitarist is not exactly typical: he started out as a rhythm guitarist until he was asked to take over... bass. A step down the ladder for most, but not for Wood, who took the situation as part of the learning process. Then his four-string Fender gave way to a six-string Danelectro. Then in Ronnie's hands came the Gibson SG. Wood changed guitars, brands and models throughout his career, searching for a new sound and never stopping... It is known that his favorite guitar was the Strat, which, no doubt, was given to him by Clapton himself.

In 2017, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He underwent timely surgery and seems to be safe today. Ronnie celebrated his 75th birthday in the summer of 2022. As we can tell from The Rolling Stones' recent recordings and concerts, he is still in good shape. As the critics emphasize:

"Ronnie Wood is good with his 'raw' sound, no overlays or gimmicks..."

In Ronnie's case, this is the norm, because he has always tried to use as much of the fewer effects. Perhaps that's the reason why he fit in so harmoniously with the Rolling team...