23 January 2012

Ronnie Wood is coming to Sky Arts this February. The iconic Faces and Rolling Stones guitarist will host the aptly titled Ronnie Wood Show on Friday nights on Sky Arts1 HD.

Despite the simplicity of the show’s name, it’s wonderfully original. Every week, Ronnie will meet fellow music stars and legends for a chat, a figurative amble down memory lane and a jam in his studio. As Ronnie spent so much time in the 1960s and 1970s with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Rod Stewart, he’s got a few juicy tales to tell, and he’s not shy in being forthcoming.

His guests this season will include Primal Scream bad boy Bobbie Gillespie, maven of mayhem Alice Cooper, and Stax guitar player and songwriting supremo Steve Cropper.

Expect some seriously bluesy, acoustic licks and plenty of talk about Memphis, Nashville and, well, Dartford, as Ronnie and company compare influences, opinions and offstage antics.

To get you in the mood, we’ve put together a short list of acts that helped make Ronnie the legend he is today. When you’re next browsing your favourite subscription music site or download store, why not have a listen?

Howlin’ Wolf. There’s no voice quite like the Wolf’s. Its growl is menacing, tender, sad and humorous in equal measure. Born Chester Burnett in Mississippi in 1910, his career really took off after hooking up with guitar player Hubert Sumlin and bass player/songwriter Willie Dixon at Chess Records in the mid-1950s. Get a taste of Howlin’ Wolf with tracks including Spoonful, Evil and Smokestack Lightning.

Muddy Waters. Where Howlin’ Wolf is rough-and-tumble, Muddy Waters is smooth and sophisticated. Born McKinley Morganfield in 1913, he helped pioneer the electric Chicago sound that went on to inspire bands like the Rolling Stones (named after one of his songs), The Faces and Led Zeppelin. Listen to Hoochie Coochie Man, Got My Mojo Working and I Can’t Be Satisfied.

Janis Joplin. She may be known as a tragic figure who died so young, but she had one of the best voices in rock. Always an outsider, she let her music do the talking, and did it ever have loads to say. Her singing was passionate and all-consuming. “I wanted to be an artist like other chicks want to be stewardesses,” she once said, allegedly. Try Ball and Chain, Ego Rock and Try (Just a Little Bit Harder).

Etta James. With a pixie-ish appearance belying raw, powerful vocals, Etta James is certainly a legend. She was equally at ease singing blues, gospel, rhythm & blues and jazz. Diet Coke fans will surely remember her rendition of I Just Want to Make Love to You. Find Something’s Got a Hold on Me, I Would Rather Go Blind, and the sublime At Last.

Chuck Berry. Rock ‘n’ roll would not be what it is without Chuck's tales of kids, cars and guitars. His signature double-stop playing style is as legendary as his narrative songs are unforgettable. Surely everyone recognises “Go, go Johnny go!” But make sure you listen to the lovely Memphis Tennessee, Maybelline and of course, School Days with its salute: “Hail, hail rock 'n' roll!”

The Ronnie Wood Show starts Friday 10 February at 11pm on Sky Arts1 HD.