Ronnie Wood
Wood in 2011, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Ronald David Wood
Place of Birth: Uxbridge, Middlesex, England, U.K.
Date of Birth: 1 June, 1947
Ethnicity: English
Ronnie Wood is an English rock musician, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, artist, author, and radio personality. He is a member of rock band The Rolling Stones, whose members also include/have included Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman. He has also been a member of rhythm and blues band The Birds, and rock bands The Creation, The Jeff Beck Group, with Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart; and Faces, with Stewart.
Ronnie is the son of Mercy Leah Elizabeth (Dyer) and Arthur Wood. He has six children. They include a son, musician Jesse Wood, with his former wife, model Krissy; and three with his former wife, model, television personality, and entrepreneur Jo Wood.
Ronnie is often said to be descended from “water gypsies.” Whether the description indicates Romani ancestry is not clear.
Ronnie’s paternal grandfather was Sylvester Wood (the son of Benjamin Wood and Harriet Harrison). Sylvester was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire. Benjamin was the son of John Wood and Sarah Russel/Russell. Harriet was the daughter of Samuel Harrison and Judith Brooks.
Ronnie’s paternal grandmother was named Phoebe Smith (the daughter of William Smith). Phoebe was born in Stafford, Staffordshire.
Ronnie’s maternal grandfather was named Fred Dyer.
Ronnie’s maternal grandmother was named Leah Reading.
Sources: https://www.theguardian.com
Genealogy of Ronnie Wood (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.geni.com
The phrase”Water Gypsy” does not mean he’s Romany. It means his family worked on English barges-although he refers to his Romany roots here and there. I’d guess he’s at least part Gypsy.
Before the Stones, he has been also a member of bands “Faces” (who also included Rod Stewart), and “Jeff Beck Group”, with Jeff Back and Stewart.
https://blog.eogn.com/2019/05/27/rolling-stone-ronnie-wood-left-out-of-who-do-you-think-you-are-because-his-family-history-is-too-complex/
Oh, well…
Interesting. Seems to confirm the gypsy rumour.
He has said in various interviews to have Gypsy roots.
No mention?
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/aug/26/popandrock.art
“All my family back to the 1700s were water Gypsies. My brothers and me, we were the first ones to be born on dry land.”
His paternal grandparents were born in England. This story sounds like a fabrication if you ask me.
other opinions?