How Can It Be? A Rock & Roll Diary
A Rock & Roll Diary
Wood's original handwritten diary from 1965 is shared here for the first time, giving unique insight into his life and the period. Throughout the diary, Wood reflects on the words he wrote 50 years ago, in a new manuscript of over 12,000 words. Wood discusses memories of the Birds, The Jeff Beck Group, the Faces and the Rolling Stones, recounting stories of the breakups, breakdowns, cars and guitars that began his journey to super-stardom. How Can It Be? features an introduction by Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones and an end-note from Ali MacKenzie of The Birds.
Ronnie Wood: 'It was a continuous adventure. Our overspilling energy was enough to chase girls, write songs, rehearse, play... It was all go, all the time.'
Wood shares original artworks inspired by his diary. Friends such as The Who are featured, as are early influences including Howlin' Wolf. Others depict everyday life: loading a van, or pushing a car home. New anecdotes are personally reproduced in Wood's own calligraphy.
Ronnie Wood: 'They capture the atmosphere. Some were done at the time and others I've drawn from memory.'
Ronnie Wood: 'None of us thought The Birds were going to be forever. I've always known that I was going to be established, go to America and be in the Rolling Stones.'
After making a name for himself in his 1965 band, The Birds, Ronnie Wood went on to take America by storm with the Jeff Beck Group. He then went on to play with the Faces, before joining the Rolling Stones in 1975. Forty years later, the Stones continue to make music history.
Ronnie Wood: 'I couldn't choose between music and art. If I chose music, I'd always be drawing, and if I chose painting, I'd always be playing.'
Wood is also an acclaimed artist. His work has been exhibited across the globe and can currently be seen at London's Drury Lane Theatre. 'Ronnie is in the top flight as a musician, but he's also an artist,' says art critic Edward Lucie-Smith, 'his striking study of Eric Clapton is worthy of the National Portrait Gallery'. Fans include President Bill Clinton, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jack Nicholson, and Sir Peter Blake.
