Ronnie Wood Reflects on the Lasting Impact of Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, and Jon Lord

As a former member of The Faces and the Jeff Beck Group, and a fixture of The Rolling Stones for more than five decades, Ronnie Wood has witnessed the evolution of rock music from its explosive beginnings to its modern era. At 78, the guitarist recently shared memories from the formative years that shaped his career in a new social media post.

“The Yardbirds was one [band] I used to follow a lot,” Wood recalls. “I’d go see them at the Richmond Athletic Grounds in the Crawdaddy Club. People were swinging from the rafters, sweat dripping from the ceiling. And their crescendos! They did a fast version of Muddy Waters’ I’m a Man, and everyone would go crazy. Those were the days. Fantastic.”

It was during this period that Wood met Jeff Beck, whose departure from The Yardbirds led directly to the formation of the Jeff Beck Group. “I told Jeff that if he ever left The Yardbirds, we should get together. Sure enough, he left and called me,” Wood recalls. The original lineup featured Beck and Wood on guitars, Dave Ambrose on bass, and a rotating roster of drummers, including Mickey Waller, Aynsley Dunbar, and Roy Cook. Wood eventually switched to bass, embracing the challenge and demonstrating his musical versatility.

“One day, after playing the 100 Club, Jon Lord — who was living with me at the time — said it sounded great with two guitars. Jeff then asked, ‘Ronnie, would you consider playing bass?’ I said, ‘I love a challenge,’ and that’s how I made the switch,” Wood explains.

During the group’s early U.S. tours, Wood shared the stage with legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. “He used to tell Jeff, ‘Let the bass player have a solo!’ He loved my playing. I even ended up flatting with him in Holland Park for a couple of weeks during early gigs. It was amazing.”

Faces Reunite: New Music in the Works

Fans of The Faces may soon have fresh material to celebrate. The band — featuring Wood, vocalist Rod Stewart, and drummer Kenney Jones — is reportedly working on their first album since 1973’s Ooh La La. Though the group has reunited sporadically over the years, their last major public appearance was at the 2020 Brit Awards, performing their 1971 hit Stay With Me.

In a 2021 interview with The Times, Wood revealed that he and his wife Sally had moved to a home in Little Venice, west London, where Stewart and Jones were collaborating in the house’s studio. “I saw Mick [Jagger] last week, and Rod and Kenney were here yesterday,” Wood said. “Mick and I have recorded nine new tracks for the 40th anniversary re-release of Tattoo You, and Rod, Kenney, and I have been working on new Faces material.”

According to Jones, the trio has recorded roughly 11 tracks at RAK Studios in North London, with Jools Holland guesting on one song. “Not all of them are going to make the album,” Jones noted, “but most of them are really good.”

Legacy, Collaboration, and the Road Ahead

For Wood, these projects are not just nostalgic exercises; they’re a way of honoring a lifelong commitment to collaboration and the joy of live, human-driven music. “Music has always been about connecting with people — on stage, in the studio, or just jamming,” he says. “Whether it’s with Jeff, Rod, Kenney, or Mick, that energy never gets old.”

As Wood and his peers work on this long-awaited Faces album, fans are reminded that rock history is not just about the past — it’s an ongoing story. With decades of experience under his belt, Wood continues to show that passion, curiosity, and a willingness to take musical risks can keep a career fresh and vibrant. The album, whenever it arrives, promises to bridge generations, offering longtime fans and newcomers alike a chance to witness the enduring spirit of a band and a musician who have shaped rock ’n’ roll history.