Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood Revive The Faces with New Music

Ronnie Wood has announced that he and Sir Rod Stewart are back in the studio, working on new music for The Faces, over fifty years after the group’s formation. During an interview on BBC Radio 4’s *Desert Island Discs*, the guitarist revealed that they are reviving unfinished songs from their early days together.

“We would love to do that,” Wood stated. “We’ve got these songs that we’re working on from back in the day, but it’s hard to make our times tally. When we do get a chance to get in the studio again, we will finish off these songs. We’ve got a good body of songs going.”

The Legacy of The Faces

The Faces, which formed in 1969 following Steve Marriott‘s departure from The Small Faces, originally consisted of Stewart as the lead vocalist, Wood on guitar, along with keyboardist Ian McLagan, bassist Ronnie Lane, and drummer Kenney Jones. The band gained prominence with their 1971 hit “Stay with Me.” However, they disbanded in 1975 as Stewart’s solo career began to flourish, although they have reunited for various performances and recording sessions since then.

Reflecting on their raucous touring days, Wood, now 78, shared stories of the band’s notorious reputation. “We weren’t allowed in any hotels,” he recalled, explaining how they often checked in under fake names, such as “Fleetwood Mac,” to avoid being banned for their wild behavior. A memorable incident in Detroit involved a hotel manager confronting the band after they transformed a hotel hallway into a makeshift living room.

Future Projects and Personal Reflections

Beyond his collaboration with Stewart, Wood also mentioned that the Rolling Stones are working on a new album. Their 2023 record, *Hackney Diamonds*, marked their first collection of new material in nearly two decades. “We’re always raising the bar, and miraculously, the bar keeps going up,” Wood said. He noted that they are currently in the mixing stage of another album, with plans for release by the end of the year or early next year.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Wood discussed his journey to sobriety. He credited Mick Jagger with supporting him throughout the process after he chose to give up alcohol and drugs in 2010. “There’s a period of white knuckling where I needed encouragement,” Wood explained. “A hand on the shoulder just before going on stage from Mick saying, ‘You’ll be OK — let’s go for it,’ means a lot.”

As Wood and Stewart continue to breathe new life into their musical legacy, fans eagerly await the return of The Faces and the upcoming projects from these rock legends.