Rolling Stones - Happy 65Th Birthday, Ronnie Wood!
01 June 2012 01:36Happy 65Th Birthday, Ronnie Wood!
The Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood marks a new milestone on Friday (01Jun12) as he celebrates his 65th birthday.
From humble beginnings, raised in a family of gypsies in west London, Wood went on to become one of the most famous guitarists in the world.
His iconic shock of black hair and hellraising lifestyle set the benchmark for rock 'n' roll wannabes and continues to be an influence on budding musicians for generations to come.
But beneath the image of rock wildman was a talented yet troubled artist - a revered painter who has spent years battling crippling addictions to alcohol and cocaine.
In recent years, following his divorce from his loyal wife Jo over his affair with a teenage Russian waitress, Wood has taken a backseat from showbiz - but his sporadic appearances at public events prove that despite all he's been through, the man fans affectionately refer to as 'Ronnie Rembrandt' is still going strong.
Here we present 10 facts about the veteran rocker to say - Happy Birthday, Woody!...
- Wood comes from a long line of "water gypsies" - canal boat dwellers - and he was among the first generation of his family to be born on dry land.
- He showed a talent for art at an early age, and as a child his drawings won a competition on a Bbc Tv show. As an adult, his impressive paintings has been exhibited around the world.
- In recent years, he's helmed a show on Britain's Absolute Radio and has become a hit with listeners for his eclectic taste - and for showcasing musicians he has worked with over the years. Last year (11) he scooped the prestigious Sony Radio Personality of the Year award.
- Wood is also a keen writer and has three published books to his name - his 2007 autobiography, a book of his artwork, and a collection of anecdotes titled The Works.
- Wood had an uncredited cameo role as "rock star party guest" in erotic 1986 drama movie Nine 1/2 Weeks.
- Despite his turbulent love life and his divorce from Jo in 2009, the rocker has fathered three children - son Jesse, from his first marriage to former model Krissy, and daughter Leah and son Tyrone from his doomed union with Jo.
- In 2009, Wood was given the Outstanding Contribution award at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour ceremony in London.
- Wood famously had to bide his time for a place in his beloved Rolling Stones - he was originally set to replace Brian Jones following his death in 1969 but lost out to Mick Taylor. He eventually fulfilled his dream of joining the Stones in 1975 after Taylor quit.
- He has fought addictions to alcohol and drugs since the 1970s and has undergone treatment in rehab clinics at least six times.
- He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his Rolling Stones bandmates in 1989.
From humble beginnings, raised in a family of gypsies in west London, Wood went on to become one of the most famous guitarists in the world.
His iconic shock of black hair and hellraising lifestyle set the benchmark for rock 'n' roll wannabes and continues to be an influence on budding musicians for generations to come.
But beneath the image of rock wildman was a talented yet troubled artist - a revered painter who has spent years battling crippling addictions to alcohol and cocaine.
In recent years, following his divorce from his loyal wife Jo over his affair with a teenage Russian waitress, Wood has taken a backseat from showbiz - but his sporadic appearances at public events prove that despite all he's been through, the man fans affectionately refer to as 'Ronnie Rembrandt' is still going strong.
Here we present 10 facts about the veteran rocker to say - Happy Birthday, Woody!...
- Wood comes from a long line of "water gypsies" - canal boat dwellers - and he was among the first generation of his family to be born on dry land.
- He showed a talent for art at an early age, and as a child his drawings won a competition on a Bbc Tv show. As an adult, his impressive paintings has been exhibited around the world.
- In recent years, he's helmed a show on Britain's Absolute Radio and has become a hit with listeners for his eclectic taste - and for showcasing musicians he has worked with over the years. Last year (11) he scooped the prestigious Sony Radio Personality of the Year award.
- Wood is also a keen writer and has three published books to his name - his 2007 autobiography, a book of his artwork, and a collection of anecdotes titled The Works.
- Wood had an uncredited cameo role as "rock star party guest" in erotic 1986 drama movie Nine 1/2 Weeks.
- Despite his turbulent love life and his divorce from Jo in 2009, the rocker has fathered three children - son Jesse, from his first marriage to former model Krissy, and daughter Leah and son Tyrone from his doomed union with Jo.
- In 2009, Wood was given the Outstanding Contribution award at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour ceremony in London.
- Wood famously had to bide his time for a place in his beloved Rolling Stones - he was originally set to replace Brian Jones following his death in 1969 but lost out to Mick Taylor. He eventually fulfilled his dream of joining the Stones in 1975 after Taylor quit.
- He has fought addictions to alcohol and drugs since the 1970s and has undergone treatment in rehab clinics at least six times.
- He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his Rolling Stones bandmates in 1989.
