The live band that confirmed to Ronnie Wood that there was something special about the 1960s: 'Those were the days'. But here's where it gets controversial... While Ronnie Wood is widely known for his work with the Rolling Stones and the Faces, his early days in the London rock scene were equally fascinating. At just 17 years old, Wood was already singing and playing guitar in a popular band called the Birds. However, it was his time with The Yardbirds that truly shaped his career. Wood was a huge fan of the blues-inspired group, and he even got to jam with Jimi Hendrix during their time in America. The Yardbirds, led by Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, are probably best remembered for their role as a guitar god academy in the mid-1960s. Wood was well aware of The Yardbirds during the Clapton era, but it was during Jeff Beck's time as the lead guitarist that he got to know the band members more personally. The two guitar players had a mutual interest in collaborating, but Wood never joined the supergroup. Instead, when Wood caught wind that Beck was thinking of going solo, he offered to work with him on a future project. And this is the part most people miss... Wood's early days were clearly special in a unique way, and his boyish enthusiasm for the 'discovery' period is clear when he describes his memories. So, the next time you're watching a live band, remember that Ronnie Wood was once in a band called the Birds, and that The Yardbirds were more than just a stepping stool to guitar god status. It's the little details that make the music industry so fascinating.
