This Sunday, June 1st, marks a double celebration for Ronnie Wood. Not only will the legendary guitarist turn 78, but it also commemorates the 50th anniversary of his very first concert with The Rolling Stones. That historic debut took place on June 1st, 1975, at the LSU Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where the band played two electrifying shows, each featuring 22 songs. It was the beginning of a new chapter for both Wood and the Stones, one that would shape the band's sound and spirit for decades to come.
Reflecting on his early days with the band, Ronnie Wood once shared that he saw himself as a source of levity during darker times. “Hopefully I'm putting some humor in here and lightening things up,” he said. “Let's try and keep this thing from going down into another crevice… Happily the music rescues all.” Though he replaced Mick Taylor in 1975, Wood wasn’t officially declared a member until April 23rd, 1976, and it wasn’t until 1990 that he became a full-fledged partner in the group.
Before joining the Stones, Wood had already made his mark as the bassist in The Jeff Beck Group and later as the guitarist in The Faces. Today, he’s circling back to those roots, currently working on a new album with The Faces. Fans can also look forward to seeing him reunite with Rod Stewart at the Glastonbury Festival on June 29th.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]