Ronnie Wood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ronnie Wood
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Wood on stage with the Rolling Stones in 2022
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ronald David Wood |
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| Born | 1 June 1947 Hillingdon, Middlesex, England |
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| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | Warner Bros. |
Ronald David Wood (born 1 June 1947) is a famous English rock musician. He is best known as a member of the Rolling Stones, a band he joined in 1975. Before that, he was also a member of two other well-known groups: Faces and the Jeff Beck Group. Besides playing music, Ronnie Wood is also a talented painter and has released several solo albums. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once with the Rolling Stones and once with Faces.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Ronnie Wood was born in Hillingdon, west London. His family had a unique history, as they were "bargees," meaning they operated boats on rivers or canals. Ronnie was one of the first in his family to be born on land. He grew up in Yiewsley and went to local schools there.
Ronnie's older brothers, Art and Ted, were also artists and musicians. They inspired him in his creative journey.
Music Career Highlights
Starting Out in the 1960s
Ronnie Wood began his music career in 1964. He played lead guitar with a rhythm & blues band called the Birds, which was popular for its live shows. He helped write many of their songs.
By 1967, the Birds had broken up. Ronnie then joined the Jeff Beck Group as a bassist. With singer Rod Stewart, he toured and recorded two albums: Truth (1968) and Beck-Ola (1969). He also worked with another band called the Creation.
In 1969, Ronnie Wood started working with the remaining members of the Small Faces band. He returned to playing guitar, his favorite instrument. This new group, along with Rod Stewart, became known as Faces. During this time, Ronnie also played on Rod Stewart's first solo album.
Success with Faces and Joining the Rolling Stones in the 1970s
In the early 1970s, Faces released four studio albums and became a very popular live band. Ronnie played guitar, harmonica, and sang. He also helped write many of their songs, including "Stay With Me" and "Ooh La La". He also played on Rod Stewart's early solo albums and co-wrote songs like "Gasoline Alley".
In 1974, Ronnie released his first solo album, I've Got My Own Album to Do. Famous musicians like George Harrison from The Beatles and Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones played on it.
After Mick Taylor left the Rolling Stones in late 1974, Ronnie Wood joined them for recording sessions in March 1975. Even though he was still with Faces, he toured with the Rolling Stones that year. Faces officially broke up in December 1975, and Ronnie became an official member of the Rolling Stones on 23 April 1976.
In the Rolling Stones, Ronnie often plays slide guitar and also uses lap steel and pedal steel guitar. His guitar playing with Keith Richards is known as "the ancient art of weaving," where their parts blend together. He has also helped write over a dozen songs for the band.
Ronnie released his second solo album, Now Look, in 1975, and his third, Gimme Some Neck, in 1979. To promote Gimme Some Neck, he formed a band called the New Barbarians and toured with them.
The 1980s and Beyond
Throughout the 1980s, Ronnie continued to play with the Rolling Stones and work on his solo music. He released the album 1234 in 1981. He also collaborated with many other famous artists, including Prince, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, and Aretha Franklin.
At the 1985 Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, Ronnie performed with Bob Dylan. When one of Dylan's guitar strings broke, Ronnie quickly gave him his own guitar so the show could continue without a pause.
In the 1990s, the Rolling Stones released new albums and went on several tours. Ronnie also released his seventh solo album, Slide on This, in 1992, and toured to support it. He also appeared on MTV Unplugged with Rod Stewart, which led to a successful album.
Since 2000, Ronnie has continued his solo work alongside his Rolling Stones schedule. He released the album Not For Beginners in 2001 and toured with his own group, The Ronnie Wood Band. In 2005, he started his own record company, Wooden Records.
In 2009, Ronnie Wood, along with other former members of Faces, performed together at the Royal Albert Hall. In November 2009, he received an "Outstanding Contribution" award at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour ceremony.
Since 2010, Ronnie has hosted his own radio show on Absolute Radio, where he plays music by artists he has worked with and his personal favorites. In 2011, he won an award for his radio show.
In May 2023, Ronnie performed at the Jeff Beck tribute concerts. He also made a surprise appearance at a Hollywood Vampires concert. In 2024, he played guitar on a re-release of Mark Knopfler's song "Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero" to help the Teenage Cancer Trust. As of 2025, Ronnie Wood is working with Rod Stewart on a new documentary and album about the Faces.
Other Ventures
Artwork
Ronnie Wood is also a well-known artist. When he was a child, his drawings were shown on a BBC television show, and he won a competition, which he says made him realize his love for art. He later studied at the Ealing Art College, where other famous musicians like Freddie Mercury and Pete Townshend also went.
Ronnie's paintings and drawings often feature famous people and have been shown in art galleries around the world. He designed the cover art for Eric Clapton's 1988 album set Crossroads. Some of his paintings are displayed at London's Drury Lane Theatre. An art critic once called him "an accomplished and respectable artist." Ronnie also co-owns an art gallery in London called Scream.
Books and Television Appearances
Ronnie Wood has written three books about his life and art. These include The Works (1988), an art book called Wood on Canvas: Every Picture Tells a Story (1998), and his autobiography Ronnie (2007).
He has appeared in many concert films and documentaries about Faces and the Rolling Stones. He also made a cameo appearance on the television show The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978). In October 2007, Ronnie appeared on the car show Top Gear. In 2017, his autobiography Ronnie Wood: Artist was published. He also appeared in the 2023 documentary film about snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Thoroughbred Racing
Ronnie Wood has a strong interest in thoroughbred horse breeding and racing. One of his most famous horses is Sandymount Duke, which has competed in both flat races and jump races.
Personal Life
Ronnie Wood has six children. His son Jesse is from his first marriage to Krissy Findlay (1971-1978). In 1985, he married Jo Karslake, and they had a daughter, Leah, and a son, Tyrone. He also adopted Jo's son, Jamie, from a previous relationship. In addition to his children, Ronnie has six grandchildren.
On 21 December 2012, Ronnie married Sally Humphreys. They welcomed twin girls, Gracie Jane and Alice Rose, on 30 May 2016.
In 2017, Ronnie was diagnosed with lung cancer and had part of one lung removed. He chose not to have chemotherapy. In 2020, he was diagnosed with another type of cancer, but after treatment, his doctors gave him the "all-clear" in April 2021.
Ronnie is a fan of the English football club West Bromwich Albion.
Discography
Studio Albums
- I've Got My Own Album to Do (1974/Warner Bros.)
- Now Look (1975/Warner Bros.) US No. 118
- Gimme Some Neck (1979/Columbia) US No. 45
- 1234 (1981/Columbia) US No. 164
- Slide on This (1992/Continuum)
- Not for Beginners (2001/SPV)
- I Feel Like Playing (2010/Eagle) UK No. 164
Original Soundtrack Album
- Mahoney's Last Stand (1976/Warner Bros.) with Ronnie Lane
Live Albums
- Live at the Ritz (1988/Victor) with Bo Diddley
- Slide on Live: Plugged in and Standing (1993/Continuum)
- Live & Eclectic (2000/SPV) (reissued in 2002 as Live at Electric Ladyland)
- Buried Alive: Live in Maryland (2006/Wooden) with the New Barbarians
- The First Barbarians: Live from Kilburn (2007/Wooden)
- Live in London: I Feel Like Playing (2011/SHProds)
- Mad Lad: A Live Tribute to Chuck Berry (2019/BMG)
- Mr. Luck – A Tribute to Jimmy Reed: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2021/BMG)
Compilation
- Always Wanted More (2001/SPV)
- Ronnie Wood Anthology: The Essential Crossexion (2006/Virgin)
Singles
- "Blue Christmas" with Andrea Corr
Other Appearances
- "It's Not Easy" with Charlie Sexton for The Wild Life (1984)
- "Silver & Gold" with Bono and Keith Richards for Sun City (1985)
- "Chain of Fools" for Back to the Streets: Celebrating the Music of Don Covay (1993)
With the Jeff Beck Group
- Truth (1968)
- Beck-Ola (1969)
With the Faces
Studio Albums
- First Step (1970)
- Long Player (1971)
- A Nod Is As Good As a Wink... to a Blind Horse (1971)
- Ooh La La (1973)
Live Albums
- Coast To Coast: Overture And Beginners (1974)
With the Rolling Stones
Studio Albums
- Black and Blue - The Rolling Stones (1976/Atlantic)
- Some Girls (1978/Atlantic)
- Emotional Rescue (1980/Atlantic)
- Tattoo You (1981/Atlantic)
- Undercover (1983/Atlantic)
- Dirty Work (1986/Columbia)
- Steel Wheels (1989/Columbia)
- Voodoo Lounge (1994/Virgin)
- Bridges to Babylon (1997/Virgin)
- A Bigger Bang (2005/Virgin)
- Blue & Lonesome (2016/Polydor)
- Hackney Diamonds (2023/Polydor)
Live Albums
- Love You Live (1977/Atlantic)
- Still Life (1982/Atlantic)
- Flashpoint (1991/Virgin)
- Stripped (1995/Virgin)
- No Security (1998/Virgin)
- Live Licks (2004/Virgin)
- Shine a Light (2008/Polydor)
As Session Musician
- An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down – Rod Stewart (1969)
- Barabajagal – Donovan (1969)
- Gasoline Alley – Rod Stewart (1970)
- Every Picture Tells a Story – Rod Stewart (1971)
- The Academy in Peril – John Cale (1972)
- Never a Dull Moment – Rod Stewart (1972)
- Dark Horse – George Harrison (1974)
- Smiler – Rod Stewart (1974)
- It's Only Rock 'n Roll – The Rolling Stones (1974)
- Shot of Love – Bob Dylan (1981)
- Stop and Smell the Roses – Ringo Starr (1981)
- Aretha – Aretha Franklin (1986)
- Knocked Out Loaded – Bob Dylan (1986)
- Desire – Toyah (1987)
- Down in the Groove – Bob Dylan (1988)
- Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds – Izzy Stradlin (1992)
- Thanks – Ivan Neville (1995)
- Deuces Wild – B.B. King (1997)
- Music City Soul – Beverley Knight (2007)
- 11 Past the Hour – Imelda May (2021)
See also
In Spanish: Ronnie Wood para niños
