Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood is publishing his latest book in December, titled The Rolling Stones Set Lists. According to the press release for the tome, the twice-inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer “has chosen 108 painted set lists to be published for the first time. Presented in chronological order, the collection follows the group’s travels to foreign rehearsal locations that were kept secret at the time. They reveal the songs rehearsed for historic performances, such as the Rolling Stones’ 2014 inaugural concert in Israel, as well as documenting the shows as eventually played. The colorful hand-lettering recalls Wood’s early art school days when he worked as a sign writer. The set lists are visually eye catching and filled with fascinating details. Wood’s calligraphy is interspersed with his own illustrations, doodles by fellow band members, and jotted notes that all add up to paint a picture of life on the road with the Rolling Stones.”
The new 198-page manuscript “offers a glimpse behind the scenes of one of the most famous rock bands in the world. Through Wood’s artwork and his personal reflections, the reader is given an insight into the band’s touring over the years.”
Wood said in the book’s announcement: ‘In the early days, we’d play the song, and I’d run over to write it down on the set list, and Mick would always go, ‘Ronnie, come back, we’ve started the song, you can do that later!’ It got to be a standing joke over the years, me stopping to write things up.”
Ron Wood, who first recorded with the Stones in 1974, first toured with them in ’75, and became an official member the next year holds the distinction of being the last “new” Rolling Stone. He recalled, to Pulse, first meeting the band back in the 1960’s: “I remember hanging out with the Stones in Olympic (Studios), uh, when I first met them with the Faces — the Small Faces — y’know, when I used to hang out with them. But many good memories of parties, because Olympic used to have three different studios. You’d have, like, the Faces in one, the Stones in another, David Bowie in another, it was just like, everyone would meet in the canteen — like, ‘How’s it goin’?’ ‘Alright.’”
SOURCE: Press release
SIDE NOTES
The two editions of Ron Wood’s The Rolling Stones Setlists books are:
The Set Pieces book is limited to only 1,000 numbered copies, each signed by Ronnie Wood. Presented in a cloth-bound slipcase, the 198-page volume is quarter bound in burgundy leather with purple and gold screen-printed covers – emblazoned with the lizards that feature on one of Ronnie’s custom-made guitar straps. Ronnie Wood’s large format Set Pieces book is hand-finished with gilt page edging and tooling.
Ready Set Go! is a signed book and print set, limited to only 425 copies. Presented in a cloth-bound slipcase, Ready Set Go! is quarter bound in royal blue leather with screen-printed covers, and finished with gilt page edging and hand tooling. The book is accompanied by a matching numbered and signed print, framed with a UV-protective glaze.
The accompanying Giclee print is numbered and signed by Ronnie Wood. His vibrantly painted set list records a rehearsal in Los Angeles, September 22nd, 2016, prior to the band’s concerts that autumn. From ‘Miss You’ to ‘She’s A Rainbow’, this list of important Stones hits and cover versions – see, for instance, Little Walter’s ‘Just Your Fool’ – has been colorfully illustrated and includes a written reminder from Keith Richards: ‘We stop on fishes’ (referring to the closing lyrics of ‘Blue And Lonesome’).
