For the two nights in Amsterdam on Ronnie Wood’s European Fearless tour, Wood and His Ammo Band delighted the packed house of superfans in a way that only Wood can host a party. A nearly two hour celebration of his career was a reflection of his 2025 Anthology of the same title as the tour.
Setting the mood, the night was bookended with two of rock and roll’s most iconic songs reminding everyone who’s the guitar muscle behind them. Opening up with “It’s Only Rock and Roll (but I like it)” and a closing encore of “Stay With Me.” A representation of distinct chapters of his sixty-plus years playing with the best.
Quite spry at the youthful age of 79, Wood’s playing was nimble. And his expected unbound enthusiasm kept the vibration highly spirited. But what stood out was the career spanding songs performed. The sets included Faces songs “Flying,” “Ooh La La,” “Plynth,” and “Gasoline Alley.” Rolling Stones songs “Hey Negrita,” “Black Limousine,” “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” and “Country Honk.” The latter featured Mera Royle on fiddle. The deep cuts from his solo releases were “Am I Grooving You,” “Mystifies Me,” “Seven Days” and “Show Me.”
Interspersed throughout, he performed some covers: “River Deep, Mountain High,” “Boogie Disease,” “Spoonful,” “Take It Easy” (Hopeton Lewis reggae song not The Eagles), “Wee Wee Hours,” “Chain of Fool,” “Baby What You Want Me to Do,” “Outlaws,” “You’re So Fine,” and “Remember (Walking in the Sand).”
The Ammo Band featured rhythm section Willie Weeks on bass and Andy Newmark on drums. Both recorded on Wood’s first solo release in 1974. Taj Mahal’s guitarist Johnny Lee Schell on rhythm guitar and legendary producer Andy Wallace on keyboards. Bring dimension and range to the vocals, special guests Imelda May and Chanel Haynes delivered spine-shivering power. Both brought stellar vocal range to the night allowing the guitarist to do what he does best.
Along the way Wood blew some harp during “Am I Grooving You” and “Baby What You Want Me to Do.” A rare treat for fans to witness. His slide work on “Dust My Broom” was worth the admission alone. One of the finest moments of communing with the crowd was leading everyone together in an a cappella vamp through the chorus of “Gasoline Alley”: Rolling home, rolling home back to gasoline alley where I belong. It was a transcendent nostalgia of our collective lifetime of rock music, Thank you Ronnie for bringing such revelry in our lives once again.
The tour continues later this fall to South America yet no indication of scheduled dates in North American. Let’s only hope. In the meantime, check out his Fearless Anthology for a listen to his spanning catalog.
