Ronnie Wood is an English musician, songwriter, and visual artist, best known as the guitarist of the legendary rock band The Rolling Stones, a position he has held since 1975. Renowned for his slide guitar style, rhythmic sensibility, and ability to blend seamlessly into ensemble-driven rock music, Wood is considered one of the defining guitarists of British rock. Beyond music, he is also an accomplished painter whose works have been exhibited internationally.

Early Life and Education

Ronnie Wood was born on June 1, 1947, in Hillingdon, England. He was raised in a working-class family and had two older brothers, Art Wood and Ted Wood. He attended St Matthew Church of England Primary School, followed by E Martin Modern Secondary School in West Drayton, and later St Martin’s School.

At the age of fourteen, Wood acquired his first electric guitar, an event that marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to music. He later enrolled at Ealing Art College, an institution known for producing influential British musicians, but left before graduating in order to pursue a professional music career.

Early Career and The Birds

Ronnie Wood began his professional music career in 1964 when he joined the band The Birds as a guitarist. The group was part of the British R&B scene of the mid-1960s and allowed Wood to develop his raw, blues-influenced playing style.

Following the breakup of The Birds, Wood continued to move fluidly through the British rock circuit, building a reputation as a versatile and reliable musician.

Jeff Beck Group and Musical Expansion

In 1967, Wood joined the Jeff Beck Group as a bassist, performing alongside Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart. Although he was primarily a guitarist, this role broadened his musical range and deepened his understanding of rhythm and arrangement.

He left the group in 1969, at which point he reunited with his brother Art Wood, along with Rod Stewart, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, Ian McLagan, and Kim Gardner to form a short-lived project called Quiet Melon. The group soon evolved into Faces, one of the most influential British rock bands of the early 1970s.

Faces Era

As a member of Faces, Ronnie Wood gained widespread recognition. The band blended rock, blues, and soul with a loose, party-driven ethos that contrasted with the more polished sounds of the era.

Faces released several successful albums and toured extensively until the band disbanded in December 1975. By that time, Wood had already become a highly sought-after guitarist within elite rock circles.

The Rolling Stones

Following the departure of Mick Taylor from The Rolling Stones, Wood was invited to join the band in 1975 by Keith Richards. Initially hired as a touring musician, he became a full member shortly thereafter.

Wood’s role within the band was less about virtuoso solos and more about interlocking guitar textures, particularly with Keith Richards. This approach helped define the Stones’ sound in the post-1970s era.

As a member of The Rolling Stones, Wood contributed to albums including Black and Blue, Some Girls, Tattoo You, Steel Wheels, Voodoo Lounge, Bridges to Babylon, A Bigger Bang, and Blue & Lonesome.

Personal Life

Ronnie Wood’s personal life has frequently attracted media attention. His first marriage was to Krissy Findlay (1971–1978), with whom he had a son, Jesse Wood.

In 1985, he married Jo Wood. During this marriage, he adopted her son Jamie and had two children with her, Leah Wood and Tyrone Wood. The couple separated after Wood began a relationship with Russian model Katia Ivanova in 2008, and their divorce was finalized in 2011.

On December 21, 2012, Wood married theatre producer Sally Humphreys. The couple welcomed twin daughters, Gracie Jane and Alice Rose, on May 30, 2016.

Solo Career and Artistic Work

In addition to his band work, Ronnie Wood has maintained a solo career, releasing albums such as I’ve Got My Own Album to Do, Now Look, Gimme Some Neck, 1234, and later works including Not for Beginners and I Feel Like Playing.

Wood is also an accomplished visual artist, particularly known for his portrait paintings of musicians. His artwork has been exhibited in galleries across Europe and has become an important parallel expression of his creative identity.

Legacy

Ronnie Wood stands as a vital connective figure in British rock history, bridging the worlds of blues-based R&B, classic rock, and stadium-era performance. His longevity with The Rolling Stones, combined with his earlier contributions to The Birds, Jeff Beck Group, and Faces, secures his place among the most influential rock guitarists of his generation.

Source: Biyografiler.com