| Born | 1 June 1947 (age 76), Hillingdon, London, England |
| Genres | Rock • Progressive rock • Folk • Jazz • Classical |
| Known for | Member of Focus (1960s-1970s), The Rolling Stones (1975-present) |
| Occupation | Guitarist • songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Notable work |
Ronnie Wood is an English musician who is best known as the lead guitarist for the influential Dutch progressive rock band Focus during the 1960s and 1970s. Though he never joined the Rolling Stones as in our timeline, Wood is still widely respected as a talented songwriter and session musician who helped define the signature sound of one of the biggest acts to emerge from the "Dutch Invasion".
Ronnie Wood was born in 1947 in Hillingdon, Middlesex, England. From a young age, he showed a keen interest and natural aptitude for music, particularly guitar. Growing up, he was inspired by the burgeoning British rock scene, with bands like the Kinks, The Who, and the Rolling Stones serving as major influences.
After briefly playing with a local London group called the Birds, Wood moved to the Netherlands in 1968 to pursue new musical opportunities. It was there that he connected with the up-and-coming progressive rock band Focus, who were just beginning to gain attention on the European circuit.
Wood's virtuosic guitar skills and songwriting abilities quickly caught the attention of Focus founders Jan Akkerman and Thijs van Leer. In 1969, they invited him to join the group as a full-time member, a role he would maintain for the next decade.
As part of Focus, Wood helped shape their unique sound, which blended elements of folk music, jazz, and classical music with the energy of rock and roll. His fluid, eclectic guitar work and co-writing contributions on hits like "Hocus Pocus" and "Sylvia" became hallmarks of the band's style.
With Wood as a core member, Focus went on to achieve tremendous commercial success across Europe and North America during the early 1970s. They were one of the biggest acts to emerge from the "Dutch Invasion" of that era, rivaling even Shocking Blue and Golden Earring in popularity.
Though they never quite reached the same global superstardom as the Rolling Stones in our timeline, Focus were hugely influential in the development of progressive rock and helped expand the boundaries of what was possible within the genre. Wood's virtuosic playing and songwriting chops were crucial to their success.
After departing Focus in the late 1970s, Wood continued to work as a respected session musician, collaborating with a variety of artists. He is still regarded as one of the most talented and versatile guitarists to emerge from the British/Dutch rock scene, leaving an indelible mark on the music of that era.
