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March 11, 2010
Ron Wood Works Towards Sobriety – Considers Marriage
The drama that was Ron Wood’s life seems to have subsided. The Rolling Stones guitarist is said to be working hard to stay sober, and is “desperate to give up for good.” There’s some high-powered support for Wood, which is being credited as a great help to him.
Including on Wood’s support team are fellow Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, long-time friend and former Faces band mate Rod Stewart, as well as pop star Elton Jon. Jagger reportedly calls Wood regularly to check up on him, and offer encouragement.
Perhaps even more encouragement and support comes by way of Wood’s new girlfriend. Wood has been seeing 30-year-old Ana Arujo since around the beginning of the year, and it is said that the Brazilian beauty has had a very positive influence on his life. So positive in fact, that is is being reported by the Daily Express that Wood is considering marrying her.
Wood split not long ago from Ekaterina Ivanova, ending a tumultuous affair that certainly kept the two in the spotlight, and did not seem to do much good for Wood’s struggles with addiction. The affair ended after a particularly nasty fight between the two that resulted in the police being called to the scene.
In other Rolling Stones news, a recent story in Rolling Stone magazine quotes guitarist Keith Richards regarding the possibility of a new Stones album in the not-too-distant future.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we did some recording later this year,” Richards said. “I don’t know how the rest of them feel about roadwork at the moment. Maybe we’ll search for a different way for the Stones to go back on the road.”
In contrast to Ron Wood, Richards seems to have no problems with the relationship he has with alcohol. After rumors that he had given up drinking, Richards had this to say: “Listen, the rumors of my sobriety are greatly exaggerated. And we’ll leave it at that.”
Leaves little doubt why actor Johnny Depp chose Richards to model certain characteristics of his Pirates of The Caribbean character, “Captain Jack Sparrow” after Richards.
September 16, 2009
Keith Wants To Record While Ronnie Squabbles With Girlfriend
We don’t normally get too many juicy details about squabbles that take place between celebrities behind closed doors unless the paparazzi happen to be lurking nearby, but apparently a recent domestic dispute between Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood and his girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova got to the point where the neighbors could overhear some of the fight, which apparently was quite heated and even led to Ivanova threatening to kill herself.
Neighbors report that the couple fights frequently, although this latest dustup was one for the record books, and resulted in police being called to the scene. It was apparent that no suicides or other forms of physical violence were evident since police left after questioning the couple.
Meanwhile, band mates Mick Jagger and Keith Richards seem to be fully immersed in the music business, with Richards having just completed recording some material with Jack White.
Richards is hoping to begin work on a new Stones record next year and there are some signs that White could be involved. “I couldn’t fuel that rumor any more than to say Jack and I are in touch,” according to Richards.
Both Richards and Mick Jagger are said to be pouring over outtakes from the group’s 1972 album Exile on Main Street in preparation for a new deluxe edition that will feature some of those excluded tracks.
“There’s new songs on there, stuff we’ve forgotten about,” Richards says. “Mick and I were looking at each other like, ‘Ah, did we do that?’”
Is it any wonder I cannot help but think of Johnny Depp’s swashbuckling character from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies whenever I see Keith Richards? Swashbuckling yes. Sober? Well, perhaps not.
Richards has been cited as an inspiration by Depp for his style during his portrayal of Capt. Jack Sparrow. A fact which apparently conjured no negative feelings towards Depp by Richards, since he appeared in the third Pirates movie, playing the part of Capt. Sparrow’s father. Credit to Keith Richards for being a good sport.
See The Mirror for more on Ron and Ekaterina’s rowdy row and Rolling Stone for more on Richards and Jagger.
November 24, 2008
Classic Rock Briefs For November 24, 2008
Joe Walsh Comfortable With Eagles Pecking Order
Joe Walsh certainly seems to have mellowed with age. The guy that sang about trashing hotel rooms is now 60, and according to Walsh himself, has sobered up and discovered sleep.
Walsh readily accepts that the Eagles fly in whatever direction that Don Henley and Glenn Frey decide, and reports that he knew from the beginning that it was “truly is Don and Glenn’s band,” although that does not prevent him from speaking his mind when he wants to.
For example, he’s not too crazy about the coordinated clothing the group is wearing on their current tour and would prefer to decide for himself when it comes to wardrobe, but accepts the black suits, white shirts and black ties that were the brainchild of Glenn Frey. “I don’t know exactly why we’re doing it. I guess Glenn came up with it,” he said.
With his wild days behind him, Walsh sounds content to show up and do his job and collect his paycheck. Doesn’t sound like a bad gig. Full Story.
Geddy Lee And Alex Lifeson Scheduled For CBC’s ‘The Hour’
Rush bassist/lead singer Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson will appear on The Hour this coming Wednesday. Lee was on the program most recently during 2007.
The Hour is hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos (say that three times fast!) and airs Wednesday night on Canada’s CBC at 11:00 PM. Full Story.
Now You Can Get Your Rock From Round Rock
Round Rock, Texas-based Dell computer has recently begun offering a new option with the purchase of a PC. For $25 you can get 50 songs pre-loaded on your new Dell PC or go for 100 songs by paying an extra $50.
With Apple’s dominance in the music space these days, Dell hopes the new deal with Universal Music will lure some customers who otherwise might fall under the spell of the iTunes crowd.
For classic rock fans, a bundle of music called “Rock Titans” is available and features material from the likes of ZZ Top, AC/DC and Meat Loaf. There are bundles available featuring other genres as well, but here at Real Rock News, we really don’t care.
I’m sure the execs at Dell are hoping this new idea will fare better than their 2006 effort to compete in the music space with Apple when they abandoned the player they had been offering. Full Story.
Rolling Stone Keith Richard Slows Things Down With Possible Easy Listening Album
I can never avoid thinking about actor Johnny Depp when I hear Keith Richards’ name come up. That’s because I once heard Depp talk about how he used Richards as a model when he honed his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the blockbuster Pirates of The Caribbean movies. Depp even persuaded Richard to take on the role of his father in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.
Swaggering pirates aside, the real news this time is that Keith Richards may be working in an easy listening album. Apparently, twenty or so cover songs performed by Richards were leaked to the internet and people began to ask questions.
Reported to be on the album are versions of Judy Garland’s iconic "Over The Rainbow” as well as Perry Como’s “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now,” Tammy Wynette’s “Apartment No. 9” and Andy Williams’ “Let It Be Me.” Now that is easy listening.
Once the tunes were leaked on the net, Richards was asked if he would consider releasing them and replied that he might decide to do it. Keith Richards covering an Andy Williams tune? I guess sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction. Full Story.
March 20, 2008
Mick Jagger In The Driver’s Seat For Stones
Perhaps one of the reasons the Rolling Stones have managed to stay together so long is that they support each other so well. Recent comments by Keith Richards give us a little glimpse behind the scenes at the inner workings of the legendary rock and roll powerhouse.
Richards says that Jagger is usually the one who selects what songs the group will perform on tour and even make adjustments to their instruments and set list to accommodate Jagger. He might, for example, decide not to do a particular song because he is not feeling up to hitting high notes at a particular time.
Even though it might sound a little bit like Jagger is the dictator that rules the band, Richards insists that the other members of the group all cooperate willingly in an effort to make Jagger’s job a bit easier.
Richards goes on to say that a band’s job is to make the frontman feel confident. “One for all and all for one,” he says.
It’s nice to hear that the boys get along so well.
See the original story on PR-Inside.com.
March 3, 2008
Keith Richards No Fan of Modern Rock
Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards must be big fan of old time rock and roll and he seems to prefer the sound of the old LP records that were once the most popular medium used to bring that music to the masses.
Richards says he does not care for the sound of music from CDs since it sounds “tinny” to him. As a notorious sound quality snob myself, I can relate to his pickiness, but I’m one of those people who does not find fault with the quality of digital sound.
Beyond his dissatisfaction with CDs, Richards does not have much good to say about the quality of modern rock music itself, referring to groups like Oasis and the Sex Pistols as “crap” and says that he has never really liked British rock music.
I guess nobody is going to accuse Keith Richards of holding back when it comes to his opinions on music.
