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Rating: Mick's is the only one missing! Yes, after the big book "A Life On the Road" (Charlie Watts), "Rolling With The Stones" (Bill Wyman), and the much-discussed bestseller "Life" (Keith Richards), Ronnie Wood, the "gypsy" of the Rolling Stones, has decided to spill the beans to make a lot of money.
In his Autobiography, simply titled "Ronnie - Days and Nights of the Rolling Stones" (published in Italy by Rizzoli), Woodie tells his story: his gypsy origins, his large family, and his childhood. The guitarist does not overlook the most interesting aspect, his career in the music show business, from the Thunderbirds (later Birds) to the Jeff Beck Group, the Faces and indeed the Stones. Amidst all this, the numerous misdeeds of the nosy guitarist are recounted, (the excesses with many stars who crossed his path), his relationship with Keith, the debts, the art. Of course, there are also fascinating anecdotes (some also present in Life by Keith Richards).
It must be said right away Woddie is a likable guy! Unlike Keef, he doesn't attack any of his companions, telling us in his disenchanted way 60 years of life, focusing less on musical details, and more on his numerous escapades within the many bands he has been part of. The guitarist conveys a great pride in succeeding where others have failed, that is, finding common ground with the two charismatic leaders of the Stones. Indeed, although he may not be an ace as his predecessor Mick Taylor was, one must recognize Ronnie as a valid travel companion in their numerous tours.
Speaking of anecdotes, it's certainly hard to believe Eric Clapton was in line to audition as a new Stone during the sessions for Black And Blue! Sometimes he loses control and creates new stories out of nowhere. According to Ronnie, in 1968, Peter Grant invited him to be part of a new band called New Yardbirds (the future Led Zeppelin), along with three guys; Plant, Jones, and Bonham. He probably misunderstood since that band belonged to a certain Jimmy Page, whom Rockin' Ronnie knows very well because, after the band changed its name to Led Zeppelin, he also bedded his wife (not that Woddie was upset about it). Even the story that the Stones themselves had contacted him as a replacement for Brian Jones well before hiring Mick Taylor is quite improbable.
The book narrates the events preceding the recent outings of the guitarist (it dates back to 2007), the separation from his wife Jo, and the new and turbulent relationships of the aged musician who recently suffered an arrest (drug and domestic disputes) and entered rehabilitation again. Without a doubt, for Ron Wood the Rolling Stones were a godsend. If that weren't the case, today he wouldn't be traveling the world organizing exhibitions for his paintings and wandering around with young Russian tennis players and Brazilian models.
Although it doesn't compare to the autobiography of his illustrious colleague and partner in (mis)adventures Keith Richards, RONNIE is undoubtedly a good representation of the rockstar lifestyle narrated, it must be admitted, by one of its major exponents.
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