Early Years
Perhaps his path was predestined. Descending from a long line of travelling barge people, Ronnie grew up in a lively musical and artistic West London household. His father played in a harmonica orchestra, while older brothers Ted and Art were both accomplished musicians and graphic designers. With Ron showing creative flair at a young age, his brothers chipped in to buy him an acoustic guitar and at the age of 14, he purchased his first electric model.
Soon after, Ronnie embarked on his musical career when he joined local outfit The Birds, dropping out of Ealing Art College to focus on the band.
Signed to the Stones’ label, Decca, the group’s incendiary take on R & B made them a popular live act up and down the country. However, their popularity failed to translate into record sales and the group eventually parted ways.
Jeff Beck Group
1967 marked a career milestone when Ronnie joined the Jeff Beck Group as bassist.
With frontman Rod Stewart’s raw vocals, blues maverick Beck’s blazing guitar work and Ron’s instinctive bass lines, the Jeff Beck Group would write the blueprint for British hard rock. Despite an intense musical chemistry, band tensions often ran high and Ron briefly jumped ship to cult mod band, the Creation. Inevitably, the Jeff Beck Group would split for good in 1969 – just two weeks prior to a slot at Woodstock – but not before releasing two classic albums, wowing US audiences with their live performances and laying the groundwork for burgeoning rock acts like Led Zeppelin.
The Faces
After a blink-and-you-miss it stint in Quiet Melon, with brother Art, fortune smiled again on Ronnie. After the departure of singer, Steve Marriott, the remaining three members of the Small Faces approached Ronnie and Rod with the offer of starting a new band. Renaming themselves the Faces, the band would inject a buccaneering rock-and-roll spirit into a dreary music scene, drawing huge audiences for their rollicking live shows and influencing a generation of punk musicians waiting in the wings. Back on 6 string, Ron helped pen some of the Faces’ finest and best known songs like ‘Ooh La La’ and ‘Stay With Me’, whilst also making major contributions to Rod Stewart’s first solo albums.
With a growing confidence in his abilities, Ronnie also released his own solo efforts during this time. With their unique, rough-hewn charm, I’ve Got My Own Album To Do (1974) and Now Look (1975) boasted a list of starry cameos, including George Harrison, Rod Stewart, Bobby Womack and future bandmates Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. These albums helped to reinforce Ron’s credentials as a first-rate musician and songwriter.
The Rolling Stones
In 1975 fate would once again intervene for Ronnie. With the Faces finally falling apart at the same time as Mick Taylor’s departure from the Rolling Stones, a chance encounter with Mick Jagger at a party would lead to Ronnie finally landing his dream job as the Rolling Stones’ guitarist.
With his musical versatility and bonhomie, Ron proved a natural fit for the group and he’s long established himself as a vital part of the Rolling Stones sound. Keith Richards best describes his and Ron’s bluesy guitar interplay as, “the ancient art of weaving”, magically blurring the lines between rhythm and lead.
Even while a member of the Stones, Ronnie has continued to perform with a string of musical legends, ranging from Dylan to Bo Diddley. He formed the super-group the New Barbarians, featuring Keith Richards, former Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan, bassist Stanley Clarke, the Stones’ saxophonist Bobby Keys and drummer Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste from the Meters. He has also released a string of well-received solo albums.
Art & The Next Chapter
Ronnie’s passion for painting is undiminished and he continues to to be an ever-in-demand artist.
Ronnie is busier than ever now, having launched his first ever online art store, where fans from all over the world can view and order his artworks. The store is updated every week with Ronnie’s latest pieces.
It’s not just in the art studio where Ronnie is creating new work. His upcoming album Mr Luck – A Tribute To Jimmy Reed: Live At The Royal Albert Hall, will be out on 17th September 2021. Mr Luck is a follow up to his 2019 release Mad Lad: A Live Tribute to Chuck Berry.
Ronnie will be back on the road with the Rolling Stones in Fall 2021, continuing their mega No Filter tour across North America, and fans will be delighted to hear we can expect some exciting news from the Faces soon.
With the twists and turns of his career, Ronnie has lived more lives than most. Who knows what the next chapter will hold, but it will be sure not to disappoint!