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Ronnie

3.47 of 5 stars 3.47 · rating details · 406 ratings · 65 reviews

Ronnie Wood is one of rock's true originals. This is his story, in his own words, about his life, loves, family, friends, music, art and survival against the odds. It's a roller-coaster ride of unbelievable highs and unimaginable lows,

From a small boy growing up on a working class council estate not far from Heathrow Airport who wanted to play music and paint - the first g...more

Hardcover, 464 pages

Published December 31st 2007 by MacMillan (first published June 30th 2007)

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Jan 03, 2008 Andrew Thompson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Oh dear. Ronnie may be great guitar player and very probably a good guy to have a drink with, but he most certainly isn't much of a writer. My suspicion is that he was "helped" quite considerably on this project. Its relentlessly cheery tone and mid-atlantic accent do grate after a while and the whole thing seems cartoonish in the extreme. I'm about halfway through and I couldn't really tell you much about what Ronnie thinks, what the people he knows are like or even what it's like being in the...more

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Apr 21, 2009 Vom rated it 2 of 5 stars

I picked this up because I enjoy the Faces, Wood's early work with Rod Stewart, and the Stones.

I found this book terribly depressing.

In the beginning, the book is rather interesting and full of tales of mischievous boys who play music, pull pranks, and live a little wild. Some of the stories are quick little portraits of famous musicians, and the insight into how some of the music of the time period was made is cool. There's a whole bunch of blanks, however. There's some stories of the Faces'...more I picked this up because I enjoy the Faces, Wood's early work with Rod Stewart, and the Stones.

I found this book terribly depressing.

In the beginning, the book is rather interesting and full of tales of mischievous boys who play music, pull pranks, and live a little wild. Some of the stories are quick little portraits of famous musicians, and the insight into how some of the music of the time period was made is cool. There's a whole bunch of blanks, however. There's some stories of the Faces' tour (rearranging furniture, wrecking hotels...) but very little about how the albums were made. It's quite odd and I wonder whether Ronnie just plain doesn't remember those years.

Ronnie's obviously one of those friendly, easy going when you meet him guys. He seems to get along with most of the people in his book and had very little negative to say about anyone (with the occasional exception of an ex-manager).

The amount of drug use and abuse is staggering, and is the main reason I found this book so hard to finish. Ronnie shows all the classic abuser behavior. He is seemingly helpless in the face of his managers, for example, and hands over the running of his fortune to a random stranger more than once (!) and complains about their bad behavior. He gets involved with mafia who supply him cocaine. The most depressing portion to me was how he recounted the story of his children. He briefly mentions that the drug use did affect his kids: they sometimes picked up joint butts around the house and so on. *headdesk times infinity* Uh, Ronnie? I think if you're locking yourself in a room to freebase cocaine for DAYS, your kids might be a teensy bit affected, yes. Towards the end of the book, Ronnie does enter rehab, but (oddly to me) he seems to think that the booze is the big problem and doesn't mention much about going off the rest of the huge pharmaceutical arsenal. There are many grim tales about the actions he performed while doped, like a bloody fight with Keith Richards involving knives and broken bottles.

Anyway. It seemed to me like there were many sad tales that lingered in the margins of the book. Stories of broken marriages and abuse, lost lives, overdoses, and so on. (less)

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Aug 31, 2011 Pete daPixie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Pete by: 50p off a car boot sale

Shelves: poptastic, autobiogs

Ronnie Wood's autobiography...well, almost auto, with the help of two assistants named as Jack Macdonald and Jeffrey Robinson. 'Ronnie' was published in 2007, so it's final chapter 'Where is this boy now?' requires some update, but then rolling stones gather no moss.
If Woody has dictated most of this memoir to be typed up by ghost writers, well so what? Born into a family of water gypsies in 1947, this autobiog contains a flow of sixty years, with almost fifty years of rock and roll mayhem. From...more

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Mar 24, 2013 David Kudlinski rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is an easy read and insightful into the Rolling Stones’ lifestyle. The secret to Ronnie’s achievements was being likeable, willing to travel, and hard working. His family fully supported his music, and due to their poverty, Ronnie did not have a lot of other options. You can read all about his boozing and what not, but that oddly did not have a negative affect on his success. Some people may think rock stars are dumb and shallow, but there are hundreds of complicated songs to learn and...more

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Jan 07, 2008 Jason Evans rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: autobiography

This is an interesting book due to the strange stories that will be fresh to all Stones fans, no matter how many books you've read or documentaries you've read. However, Ronnie seems to skip over many years without any mention of certain events that a student of music would like to know, such as the stories behind the writing and recording of certain Faces and/or Stones albums. A good, quick read though if you are into rock'n'roll.

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Jul 26, 2011 Matti Karjalainen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: musiikki, muistelmat, kotikirjasto, rolling-stones

Ronnie Wood sai kunnian olla ensimmäinen the Rolling Stonesin jäsen, joka julkaisee oman elämäkertansa (Johnny Kniga, 2009). Lopputulos olisi voinut olla hyvinkin kiinnostava ja kirjan alkupuolella taideharrastuksestaan tunnettu kitaristi muisteleekin aika kiinnostavasti lapsuuttaan sekä the Birdsissa, Jeff Beck Groupissa ja the Facesissa vietettyjä vuosia, jotka ovat rockhistoriaa kirjoitettaessa jääneet vähemmälle huomiolle kuin Stonesin kanssa vietetty ajanjakso.

Niin, entäs sitten The Rolling...more

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Dec 13, 2008 FicusFan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, modern-day, music, read-12-08, read-2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really enjoyed this book. Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones writes his auto-biography, looking back over 40 years of rock history.

He talks about his early life, his childhood family and his introduction to art and music. He moves on the the early days of Rock & Roll in the UK. He talks about his connections to other rockers outside of the framework of the Stones. He joined them in 1975-1976 and its interesting for me, because I have read about many of these people from the Stones POV, but th...more I really enjoyed this book. Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones writes his auto-biography, looking back over 40 years of rock history.

He talks about his early life, his childhood family and his introduction to art and music. He moves on the the early days of Rock & Roll in the UK. He talks about his connections to other rockers outside of the framework of the Stones. He joined them in 1975-1976 and its interesting for me, because I have read about many of these people from the Stones POV, but this is an outsider's look at them. Wood wasn't a Stone when he met them or jammed with them.

Wood also talks about the family he makes with the two women he married (one after the other) and the children he has with them. He doesn't mention the recent suicide of an ex GF/Wife, nor does he mention his current problems regarding taking up with a teeny, while still married.

He talks about his drug and alcohol problem and the long history of abuse. Strange, because his childhood family seemed so healthy and normal, yet he used drugs and alcohol to escape. He also talks about how his children have grown, and become successful as people, and yet they were apparently exposed to all the drugging and drinking, He appears to be very lucky, to have been good at parenting, or he is putting a positive spin on his children. You can't really tell, which it is, or if its all three.

Having heard that Wood is not one of Jagger's favorite people, its strange to read how Wood paints their relationship as close. He also seems to show Keith as a bit of a nutcase, and not really the better person in the Jagger-Richard relationship. Wood says he is very close to Richard, but after he enters rehab, and stops drinking there seems to be a distance between them. As though Wood can't be in the atmosphere that promotes substance abuse. Wood also doesn't talk about his recent relapse, and the new stint in rehab.

The talk about music is interesting, in that he feels creative, and musical, but doesn't seem to mind that he is playing the music of others. There is very little space for him in the Jagger-Richard relationship to be a creator. He has done, he said 7 solo albums, I have one, Give Me Some Neck which I enjoy very much. Somehow he seems able to do both the Stones gigs and his own material, and stay fresh and happy. Of course he also talks about his bad financial decisions, and his need for money, so perhaps he is just doing the Stones stuff for cash. He only recently became an actual Stone, and not an employee, that too is only obliquely mentioned.

He is one of the old generation of UK rockers who are also artists. Many of the founders ended up in art school in the UK. They weren't academic, and had no interest in a trade, so they were sorted into art school. The book is filled with his drawings and paintings, which are well done. He also sells art, and has exhibitions in galleries. There are also a good number of photos.

While the blurbs talk about all kinds of inside stuff on the early years of rock, very little of it is new, and all of it is general and sanitized. It could be said to be name dropping from end to end, of course he has had such a famous life it would probably be hard not to. Some do seem to be mentioned just get the famous name in, rather than because they have some deep connection to him and his life.

The book is written well, and flows. There are a few odd patches with words, he seems to make them up occasionally. The story is interesting and sucks you in.

An interesting addition for anyone interested in the Stones, and inside world of Rock & Roll.(less)

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Mar 10, 2008 Eric rated it 4 of 5 stars

Man, Ron Wood was at the right place at the right time -- ALL THE TIME. It is mindblowing how perfect his timing has been over the decades; just like how perfect his playing can be. (See, e.g., him and Keith on "HAND OF FATE" off of Black and Blue). Sure there are entire years and possibly almost decades, lost in the haze of freebase and locked bathroom doors, but . . . he's still alive, innit he? Yep. And he's got a revolving door of unscrupulous managers in the mix, several mansions, fortunes...more

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Jan 18, 2008 Diane D. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Stones fans, Ronnie Wood fans, Fans of 60's Rock

Recommended to Diane D. by: from my partner for Christmas - Thanks, Endre :)

Shelves: nonfiction

Personally, I would give this book a 5 because I am loving it, but it is not "amazing" so I can't give it a "good reads" definition of a 5.

I am a huge Stones fan, and also a fan of rock from that period and the people that inspired them. So I am in my glory while reading this book. Rod Stewart, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, how Ronnie met his wife, Jo, life on the road, the tours, the tales, to me it's awesome reading. What I love the most, I think, is that it is written very simply. It is as thou...more

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Feb 10, 2008 Sher rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: stones fans, rock fans

even though he's a stoned stone for the bulk of the book, ron wood takes a not-entirely cursory trip through his interesting life. he's actually quite conversational, and you actually get the sense that he's a guy you could hang with, that is, if you're one of the super-rich celebs he knows. he's self-effacing (throughout the book, people are mistaking him for close mate keith richards)and funny. don't expect to get much of a sense about mick here, though -- while you get glimmers of the other g...more

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May 06, 2013 Greg Snyder rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am a Stones and a Faces fan. Ronnie is a very talented individual, both as a musician and a artist. You can tell by reading about him that he knows that he has had a life that is a bit of a fairy tale. Ronnie's worst enemy is himself and the bottle. If you like him or want to get to know him the book is worth the read.

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Jun 11, 2010 Diane Drennan Pavia rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010

So disappointed! Two stars is being generous. I love Ronnie and was really looking forward to reading about his life in music and art. The content was there, somewhere, underneath all the self-indulgent and incoherent writing. There was no organization within chapters; chronology is all over the place; nicknames are used to refer to people without being explained, and in some cases it takes a few pages to figure out who he's talking about. I get that he has hung out with some of the most famous...more

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Jan 14, 2010 Zack rated it 2 of 5 stars

References to legends and stars really immerse you in a period when rock and roll was starting to take shape and change the landscape; however, after a while the name dropping appears self serving and doesn't help to further illustrate the development of the genre or his journey through it. I'm all for a good party, but the detailed stories of elicit behavior become tedious and at times pitiful. This is further reinforced by his recent newsworthy activities and break from the "love of his life."...more

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Jul 14, 2008 Bill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, music

Another book that helps me relive some of the fantastic music of my youth, in particular The Faces. It's a well written autobiography and is very easy to read. If you're a Ronnie Wood fan you've probably read it. But if you just like biographies give it a shot, there are some wonderful anecdotes and great pictures too

Strangely and sadly Ronnie was featured in the UK tabloid press this weekend, some kind of sex scandal with an Escort Girl. So kind of appropriate, but then I don't really have any...more

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Jun 03, 2011 Martin Simonsen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It is an entertaining description of Ron Wood´s career in The Rolling Stones and other bands as well as his personal life up until around his 60´th birthday. It is full of anecdotes from life with alcohol and drugs and of course music.

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Feb 05, 2011 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Ronnie wanted to talk about his art as much or more than his music. While I certainly wanted to learn about Ronnie's life my main interest was his life as a muscian and not his latest art opening

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Jul 20, 2012 Les rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography

I was looking forward to a book about the bands and the music. It was disjointed, self serving, and not very enjoyable. That said, it was still worth the read, just not very good.

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Jul 23, 2010 Matt T. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good book.It's like sitting down with Ronnie listening to him talk about his career,his life and the people in it,and all the crazy things that have happened throughout it.

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Dec 22, 2007 Warren Truitt rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: music

Wanted to like this because I like Ron Wood (Jeff Beck Group, Faces, Rolling Stones), but it just wasn't written well enough to keep my interest.

A rock and roll bio can either concentrate on the technical aspects of being a musician, or a rememberance of shenanegans on and off the stage. The technical parts weren't that detailed, and the personal info was kinda hazy and generalized. It read like Wood's ghostwriters were putting together the text from half-forgotten notes.

The best parts were Wo...more

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May 28, 2012 Richard rated it 1 of 5 stars

All over the place, no real narrative. And where are the drug stories?!?! One paragraph expressing his regrets for all the crack & freebasing - gimme a break.....

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Feb 16, 2011 Janne Paananen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nää musaelämänkerrat jakautuu karkeasti kahteen osaan. Tällaisiin taiteilijan itsensä kirjoittamiin, elämänmakuisiin ja pieniin tarinoihin kestittyviin sekä "asiantuntijoiden" kirjoittamiin numeerisiin ja hyvin tarkasti levyt ja kiertueet läpikäyviin tietopläjäyksiin. Väkisinkin käy niin, että ensinmainutut artistien itsetekemät ovat kiinnostavampia ja kivempiä lukea. Paitsi jos on tilastokahjo (tunnustan).

Ronnien elämänkerta on oikein mainio kattaen myös arvon taiteilijan maalausharrastuksen (t...more

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Jul 05, 2011 Dani rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

Another book where I didn't like the writing style but that didn't take away from Ronnie's amazing life. The photos are a great plus.

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Nov 16, 2012 Robin Umbley rated it 2 of 5 stars

Insightful if you're looking for tidbits about his life but he could have used a better ghost writer.

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Jul 06, 2008 Ladiibbug rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rock musician (and Rolling Stone) Ronnie Wood's autobigraphy was very enjoyable.

He comes across as a simply wonderful, warm hearted, people- and fun-loving man.

I've been a Ronnie Wood fan since his days with Rod Stewart (solo career) and with Rod in The Faces, with his CD with Bo Diddley, and of course The Stones.

Lots of details and pictures of his younger life growing up, his musical progression, and his lesser known but incredible talent and notoriety in the art world. Many of his sketches are...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Jane Hodgkiss rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Brilliant read! Great rock n roll stories told with affection and self-depreciation.

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Feb 04, 2013 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

A good read. Just a shame he's still a pisshead despite his claim at the end of the book.

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Aug 09, 2011 Madamlasher added it · review of another edition

Pretty interesting- the guy is a huuuge name dropper though!

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Dec 28, 2011 Dave Mason rated it 3 of 5 stars

Better than Keith Richards book.Simply written but insightful

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Sep 16, 2012 Julie Barrett rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoirs

completely un-self-aware bootlicker of Keith Richards.

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Apr 10, 2011 Robert rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Excellent autobiography that was a very enjoyable read.

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