Musician with £150 million fortune admits to stealing his first Fender guitar

Ronnie Wood, the guitarist for The Rolling Stones, candidly admitted to stealing his first Fender guitar to launch his music career when he had little money to spare. The rock legend, now sitting on a fortune of £150 million, reminisced about his daring act of taking a Fender bass from a music store named Sound City. Wood revealed that he had promised to return the borrowed instrument but failed to do so until several years later when he was finally able to pay for it while playing with The Faces.

In celebration of The Rolling Stones’ 50th anniversary, Ronnie Wood has released a coffee table book alongside the re-issued album “Black and Blue,” which marked his first recording with the band in 1976. Delving into his remarkable journey, Wood shared insights into his early years in the music scene, from performing in clubs in 1960s London with The Birds to joining other iconic bands like the Jeff Beck Group and co-founding The Faces before landing a spot with The Rolling Stones.

The coffee table book entitled “Fearless: The Anthology” showcases Wood’s impressive collection of guitars and stage gear for the very first time. It includes replicas of his famous instruments like the Birds Op Art Fender Telecaster, Fender basses from his time with the Jeff Beck Group, the Disc-Front Zemaitis used during The Faces era, and a selection of Fender Stratocasters that he favored during his tenure with The Stones. Wood’s collection of custom-made guitar straps and designer stage wear are also highlighted in the book, along with transformed concert set lists that he turned into art pieces.

Wood, now 78, expressed his deep passion for music and guitar playing, emphasizing how much he values his guitars as essential tools of his trade. Reflecting on his early inspiration from witnessing performances by Jeff Beck and The Yardbirds, Wood recalled the electrifying atmosphere that sparked his love for music. This passion eventually led him to cross paths with legendary musicians like Bo Diddley and Rod Stewart, forming the foundation for his illustrious career in the music industry.

Throughout his career, Wood has made significant contributions to various bands, such as writing songs for Rod Stewart and playing a pivotal role in The Faces’ success. He humorously recalled instances where his talents were underappreciated, like singing on the track “Ooh La La” without receiving due credit. The guitarist also reminisced about joining The Rolling Stones in 1974 and the band’s musical evolution during the recording of their album “Black and Blue,” where they experimented with funk and reggae styles.

Looking ahead, The Rolling Stones are gearing up for the release of their 25th studio album, with hopes of embarking on a European tour. The band recently convened at Metropolis Studios in London to record tracks for the upcoming album, featuring collaborations with renowned artists like Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Lady Gaga. While keeping details of future collaborations under wraps, Wood teased fans with the promise of more exciting music to come from the iconic rock band.