Happy Birthday to Ronnie Wood, one of our Classic Rock treasures!

What a career this guy’s had – playing with the Jeff Beck Group in the late 60s, forming the revamped Faces with Rod Stewart, Kenny Jones and Ian McLagan, and later being asked to join The Rolling Stones. He’s even designed the covers of several albums, including his own Gimme Some Neck, and Eric Clapton’s Crossroads box set.

And did I mention what a nice guy he is, too?

He’s such a good player, yet I don’t think he’s gotten his just due. While some of these titles on which has appeared, played, and/or sung are certainly familiar to you, there may be one or two you haven’t heard before, thereby experiencing some new Ron Wood genius for your very own! Here are times Ronnie Wood killed it on record:

• 1. Kew - Billy Nicholls

  Woodie added some nice acoustic work on this track by British singer Billy Nicholls. Pete Townshend and a few of Ronnie’s Faces buddies appear on Nicholls’ album, too.

• 2. Ding Dong Ding Dong - George Harrison

  It’s Ron’s electric guitar work on the silly George Harrison track, (credited as “Ron Wood If You Let Him”).  Wood also co-wrote “Far East Man” with Harrison, which also appears on the album, but he does not play on it.

• 3. Ooh La La - Faces

  The title track from the final Faces album feared a rare occurrence:  Ron Wood singing lead vocal.  After Rod Stewart couldn’t nail it in the studio, Woodie gave it a shot, he co-wrote it anyway, and it was perfect. This song has been used in a few commercials over the years.

• 4. Acid Queen - Tina Turner

  Tina was amazing in the movie adaptation of Tommy, as the Acid Queen, and on the soundtrack album that’s Ron Wood playing the searing guitar.

• 5. It's Only Rock And Roll - The Rolling Stones

  Wood wasn’t even a member of the band yet, when this song was recorded at his house, known as “The Wick,” in late 1973.  He’d join two years later and, even though he co-wrote the song with Mick Jagger, he wasn’t credited on the album.  That’s his 12-string acoustic guitar work on the track.

• 6. Dead Giveaway - Ringo Starr

  Ron co-produced two tracks on Ringo Starr’s 1981 album Stop And Smell The Roses, and co-wrote this one with Ringo.  He’s all over the song, too, playing guitar, bass, sax, keyboards, and singing backing vocals!

• 7. Beautiful Thing - Eric Clapton

  Slowhand enlisted Ron’s assistance on four tracks on his No Reason to Cry album, this being one of them.  Lovely song!

• 8. Heart Of Mine - Bob Dylan

  On Bob Dylan’s 1981 album Shot Of Love, you can hear Ron Wood’s fine guitar work on this track.

• 9. Jumping Jack Flash - Aretha Franklin

  Recorded to accompany the Whoopie Goldberg movie (and Stones song)of the same name, that’s Ron Wood playing with Keith on this fantastic cover!

• 10. Growin' Up - David Bowie

  Yes, Bowie covered the Springsteen song during sessions for Diamond Dogs in late 1973, and Ron Wood played guitar alongside Bowie.  It remained unreleased for decades until it appeared on the 30th anniversary reissue of Diamond Dogs.

• 11. Barabajagal - Donovan

  Donovan’s funkiest song was done with the help of the Jeff Beck Group, in which Ron Wood was a member.  Woodie plays some sweet guitar on this Donovan classic.

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