The story of Ronnie Wood's pivotal role in the creation of a Rolling Stones classic is a fascinating one, and it showcases the power of collaboration and the influence of a creative haven. In the early 1970s, Wood's London home, The Wick, became a hub of musical activity, attracting a who's who of the music industry.
Wood, already a member of the Faces, had a home studio installed at The Wick, which he bought in 1971. This studio became a gathering place for a diverse range of musicians, from established stars to those just starting their careers. The list of visitors reads like a who's who of rock and roll: Gregg Allman, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Andy Newmark, Ric Grech, and Willie Weeks, to name a few.
The atmosphere at The Wick was electric, with Wood describing it as a "hub of vibes." It was during one of these jam sessions that Wood, alongside David Bowie, contributed to the creation of a song that would become a Rolling Stones classic: 'It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It).'
In a previous interview, Wood recalled the process: "Mick and I worked out 'I Can Feel The Fire' and after we'd done that, he said, 'Help me with this song, It's Only Rock 'n Roll, 'cause I wanna see how it turns out.'" This collaboration was a testament to the creative energy that thrived at The Wick.
The basic track for 'It's Only Rock 'n Roll' was recorded at The Wick with just Wood, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Willie Weeks. Kenney Jones, who played the drums on the final record, joined them later. This simple setup was the foundation for the song that would become the title track of the Rolling Stones' 12th studio album, released in 1974.
The song's success, however, led to an interesting twist. Despite the involvement of Wood, Bowie, and Weeks, the song was credited solely to Jagger and Richards. This highlights the complex dynamics of band collaborations and the sometimes-unfair credit system in the music industry.
Wood's transition from the Faces to the Rolling Stones was seamless. He recorded and toured with the Stones in 1975 while still a member of the Faces and became an official member in 1976 after the Faces disbanded. This journey began at The Wick and continues to influence Wood's career to this day.
The story of 'It's Only Rock 'n Roll' and Wood's role in its creation is a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration. It also serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most significant contributions come from unexpected places and people, even if they don't always get the credit they deserve.
