“We’re not on the phone to each other every five minutes”: Ronnie Wood reveals the key to the Rolling Stones’ longevity
Formed in London in 1962, the Rolling Stones are arguably the longest-running rock band in history. With more than 60 years under their belts, they’ve outlasted entire genres, packed stadiums across continents, and released some of the most influential music ever recorded. Unlike so many of their peers, they’ve never truly broken up – and with no farewell tour in sight, they show no signs of stopping.
The secret to their longevity? According to rhythm guitarist Ronnie Wood, it starts with knowing when to give each other space. In a recent chat with The Daily Telegraph, the 77-year-old opens up about the Stones’ dynamic and shares how the members have managed to keep the wheels turning after all this time by not ‘over-socialising’.
READ MORE: “I had to find an excuse”: Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman reveals how he once feigned illness to go back to England to watch a football match
“We’re not on the phone to each other every five minutes,” Wood explains. “When we’re not touring we keep in touch, just to keep the feelers in each other’s camp, but we don’t over-familiarise – we run on faith and truth.”
“We have faith in our music, and we always have hope that people will keep turning up, and sure enough they do.”
That faith paid off in a big way with their most recent album, Hackney Diamonds, released in 2023. Hailed by critics as the band’s best in decades, it also topped sales charts worldwide – not that Wood is tracking those anymore.
“In the old days we used to have the charts, and you’d be able to plot things and feel a part of it,” says the musician. “You’d look at the Melody Maker and say, ‘Look! We’re number 50!’ or whatever. And then you’d creep up the charts. It gave young bands so much ambition and something to look forward to. I’ve no idea where we are on the charts now.”
Meanwhile, ex-Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon recently claimed it’s high time The Rolling Stones called it quits, citing the band’s lack of song ideas as the reason.
“As I indicated before, if I just sat back and retired, that’s not me. I’m not that kind of person,” Lydon said during his appearance on Good Morning Britain. “By all means, The Rolling Stones should retire, I’m not short of a song idea or two, so there’s a difference.”
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