Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, 79, performed his first live solo concert in over 16 years at the O2 Forum Kentish Town on Friday.
The veteran musician was joined on stage by Irish singer Imelda May, 52, for the intimate concert in North London ahead of their upcoming European and Latin American tour dates.
Wood was supported from the sidelines by his 48-year-old wife Sally, who watched the performance alongside their 10-year-old twin daughters, Gracie Jane and Alice Rose.
The show at the O2 Forum Kentish Town marked Wood's return to live solo sets for the first time in more than 16 years. His close friend May will join the band for both scheduled performances of the run.
The two artists have collaborated multiple times on record and on stage, including a notable joint performance at the 2023 Jeff Beck Tribute Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Speaking before taking the stage, Wood shared his enthusiasm for the show: "I'm looking forward to kickin' a** with my back catalogue and some new songs - look out London!"
Family and Marriage
Wood and his wife Sally tied the knot in 2012 during an intimate ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in London following a six-month romance, with rock legend Rod Stewart serving as best man.
The pair first met nine years earlier at her place of work, the Theatre Royal in London. They went on to welcome their twin daughters, Gracie Jane and Alice Rose, in 2016.
The musician is also father to four adult children from previous marriages. He shares son Jesse, 49, with his first wife Krissy Findlay, as well as Jamie, 51, Leah, 47, and Tyrone, 43, with ex-wife Jo Wood.
New Album Foreign Tongues
The solo performance follows recent studio work alongside Rolling Stones bandmates Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, 82, who recorded their new studio album, Foreign Tongues, in under a month at Metropolis Studios in West London.
The band reunited with Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt, who also helmed their multi-platinum 2023 album Hackney Diamonds. Released on July 10, the 14-track record arrived less than three years after its Grammy Award-winning predecessor.
Foreign Tongues includes a special guest appearance from late drummer Charlie Watts, captured during one of his final recording sessions before his death in 2021.
The album also features contributions from an impressive lineup of guest artists, including Steve Winwood, Sir Paul McCartney, The Cure frontman Robert Smith, and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.
Bandmates Reflect on Recording Sessions
Reflecting on the studio process in London, lead singer Sir Mick Jagger praised the intensity of the sessions.
"I love doing these recording sessions in London at Metropolis," Jagger said. "It was a very intense few weeks recording Foreign Tongues. We had 14 great tracks and we went as fast as we could. I like the room there as it's not too big so you can feel the passion in the room from everyone."
Guitarist Keith Richards added that recording in their home city brought a unique energy to the project.
"The Foreign Tongues album has a continuity from Hackney Diamonds and it was great to be working in London again, and to have that London vibe around us," Richards said. "It was a month of concentrated punch. To me, it's all about the enjoyment of it. I'm blessed to be able to do this and long may it last."
