Beloved guitarist Ronnie Wood celebrates his 76th birthday today, June 1st. Perhaps best known for his work with The Rolling Stones, Wood has a long and prolific career in the music business, providing his crunchy blues-laden rock guitar on countless hit tracks through the years.
Wood got his first big break in The Birds, playing R&B-type music in the London circuit—not to be confused with The Byrds. He later joined the Jeff Beck Group in 1967, adding some grooving bass to Beck’s soulful guitar riffs. However, after two years, he left with Rod Stewart and formed a band with members of The Small Faces. The new band was called The Faces, with Stewart, Wood, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan, and Kenney Jones. While never quite striking it big in America during their heyday, the band was wildly popular in the U.K. throughout the early ’70s.
In honor of Ronnie’s birthday, we thought it proper to share some great footage of the band jamming out at a performance for a series called BBC Crown Jewels on October 26, 1971. The band gets down on some serious blues playing and hits covers of hits like Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed”, The Rolling Stones’ “Street Fighting Man” and more. Dig the show below.
The Faces – BBC Television Theatre – 10/26/71 [Full Show Video]
[Video: rhsmkh]
Of course, Wood would later fill the vacancy left by Stones guitarist Mick Taylor. It’s a job he’s had for 48 years, and, judging by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, he may keep the job for 48 years more. Here’s to you, Mr. Wood!
[Originally published on June 1st, 2016]