Ronnie Wood, musician

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Nov 9, 2025

Join Ronnie Wood, the legendary guitarist of the Rolling Stones, as he shares his musical journey starting from his canal-boat roots to iconic rock stages. He reflects on early influences, from family harmonica traditions to the vibrant energy of the Faces. Ronnie recounts how he joined the Stones and became a peacemaker between Mick and Keith. With stories of touring antics, artistic pursuits, and overcoming personal challenges, he illustrates a life filled with creativity and resilience, all set to a soundtrack of his favorite tracks.

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ANECDOTE

Learning Guitar In The Back Room

Ronnie learned guitar by watching his brother's friend play and copying finger positions from string diagrams.
He still doesn't know Big Bill Broonzy's "Guitar Shuffle" perfectly and enjoys continuing to learn it.

ANECDOTE

Canal-Barge Roots And Party House

Ronnie grew up in a tight-knit bargee community where his parents worked on canal boats and his childhood mixed music with pub culture.
His father brought home colourful characters from the pub who filled the house with music and stories.

ANECDOTE

First Performance On Washboard

Ronnie made his performing debut aged nine playing washboard in his brother Ted's skiffle band at the local cinema.
That first rush of nerves turned him toward a lifelong pursuit of music.

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Ronnie Wood is a musician and artist who has been a major player on the UK music scene for over 60 years. In 1975 Ronnie became a member of the Rolling Stones, one of the most influential and enduring bands of the rock era.

Ronnie’s parents were born and worked on barges moving cargo up and down the canals between Manchester, Stratford-upon-Avon and London. Ronnie and his two older brothers were the first in the family to be born on dry land.

Ronnie’s brothers, Ted and Art, were accomplished musicians and played in highly respected bands. Ronnie made his debut at nine-years-old when he played the washboard in Ted’s band during a performance at their local cinema. Ronnie formed his first band, The Birds, with some friends. In 1967 he joined the Jeff Beck Group with his lifelong friend Rod Stewart. Two years later they formed the Faces with the remaining members of the Small Faces.

Ronnie joined the Rolling Stones in 1975, replacing the band’s previous guitarist Mick Taylor. Ronnie’s love of art developed in childhood and he studied at Ealing College of Art. His work has been shown in exhibitions around the world.

Ronnie lives in Hertfordshire with his wife Sally and their two children.

Presenter: Lauren Laverne Producer: Paula McGinley

DISC ONE: Guitar Shuffle - Big Bill Broonzy DISC TWO: Shame, Shame, Shame - Jimmy Reed DISC THREE: Smokestack Lightnin' - Howlin' Wolf DISC FOUR: You Need Love - Muddy Waters DISC FIVE: Adelaide - Frank Sinatra DISC SIX: Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467: II. Andante \"Elvira Madigan\". Performed by Géza Anda (piano) and Camerata Salzburg (Orchestra) DISC SEVEN: Roll Over Beethoven – Chuck Berry DISC EIGHT: Maybe I'm Amazed - Paul McCartney BOOK CHOICE: Just for Today: Daily Meditations for Recovering Addicts by Narcotics Anonymous LUXURY ITEM: A chest containing art materials and a carpet CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Smokestack Lightnin' - Howlin' Wolf

There are more than 2000 programmes in our archive available for you to listen to. We have cast away other musicians and songwriters including Mark Knopfler, Bruce Springsteen and Cyndi Lauper. Ronnie’s fellow Stones, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts, are in our archive too along with Ronnie’s friend Paul McCartney. You can find their episodes on BBC Sounds or on our Desert Island Discs website.