Ben Waters is with out doubt the number 1 rock n roll pianist in europe, massively influenced by Ian Stewart, Fats Domin, Ray Charles and of course Johnny Johnson
Chuck Berry joined the Johnny Johnson Trio to make Rock n Roll History, Both Ben Waters and Ronnie Wood had the pleasure of sharing a stage with Chuck Berry, both fell in love with the music, Occasionally Ronnie and Ben get together to celebrate this, To pay homage to their heros and to have fun playing the music they love
RONNIE WOOD
Ronnie Wood was born in Middlesex, England, into a musical and artistic family. Before beginning his musical career and achieving world wide renowned with the Faces and the Rolling Stones, he received formal art training at Ealing College of Art, London. He grew up surrounded by his two later passions - music and art, something that has stayed with him during his life as a rock and roll icon. Dad Arthur was an amateur musician and older brothers Art and Ted went to art school.
It was Ted who gave the future Rolling Stone his first professional gig in 1957 - playing washboard in his Original London Skiffle Group at the Regal cinema in Uxbridge. Signing up at Ealing School of Art in 1963, Ronnie Wood started his first rock and roll band - The Thunderbirds, later shortened to The Birds - with school friend Tony Monroe. The Birds built a following through live gigs, but they never made much money.
After a brief spell with The Creation - an influential pop art band with a massive following in Europe, Ronnie Wood joined The Jeff Beck group in 1968, where he met Rod Stewart. In late 1968, Ronnie Wood moved on with Rod to form The Faces.
Ronnie Wood first saw the Rolling Stones at the Richmond Jazz Festival back in 1964. As he was going inside, he saw a van open up and the five of them tumbled out of the back. "I knew I belonged in that band" he says, "I've always been a believer in fate. I counted on it happening... I just had to wait it out."
By 1975 Mick Taylor wanted to leave the Rolling Stones and Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were looking for a replacement. Ronnie Wood flew to Munich to audition. He got the job and despite more recent jibes about their ages, thinks he and the Rolling Stones have only improved over the years.
As his musical career has progresses Ronnie Wood has continued his passion for painting and drawing. His subjects range from immediate colleagues in the rock and roll band, to other famous rock and roll musicians he has admired, known and has sometimes played with. Family, friends, animals and of course the self-portraits perhaps show a more private side.
BEN WATERS
Ben Waters is a Multi-Award Winning Pianist, Composer, Band Leader, and Entrepreneur.
He has played over 6,000 concerts in over 40 countries in his own right
Waters is renowned for playing barnstorming sets, rockin’ the house every time, playing the music of his heroes Fats Domino, Huey Piano Smith, Albert Ammons, Ian Stewart (founder member of the Rolling Stones) Jerry Lee Lewis, Diz Watson – and of course he also plays his own compositions.
Ben has played with many acts over the years including The Rolling Stones, The ABC&D of Boogie Woogie, Sir Ray Davies, Dave Gilmore, Dave Stewart, Jools Holland, Chuck Berry, Mick Hucknall, Rod Stewart, Johnny Depp, Imelda May, Amy MacDonald, PJ Harvey, Shakin Stevens, Chris Jagger + + +
A big mention and thank you must go to Charlie Watts, Jools Holland and Chris Jagger who have helped tremendously with Ben’s career!
Ben has played sell-out shows at Sydney Opera House and The Royal Albert Hall, at some of the largest festivals in the world and even played to 200,000 people! He has also played for members of the Royal Family on many occasions.
Ben has composed hundreds of songs and been involved with lots of writing with friends. He has been featured on TV and Radio all over the world, with the album ‘Boogie for Stu” topping the blues charts worldwide!
DEXTER HERCULES
London based professional drummer, has already acheived an impressive repertoire of artists in which he's played for, including Ronnie Wood, Imeli Sande, Little Mix, Lalah Hathaway, Theo Crocker, Incognito,JLS, Pixie Lott, Stormzy and Rita Ora! Dexter is currently working on his first solo project which will be released later this year, Dexters success is driven by a dynamic playing style and by mastering countless genres including, Jazz, Pop, Gospel, Fusion, Broken Beat and Funk, You won't see another drummer with so much energy, flair and provado, Dexter Rock's the house!!
DION 'The Viking' EGTVED
For decades Dion or Disse (Disse was his flying name when he flew helicopter gun ships)Has been the backbone of many a Danish Rock n Roll band, performing all over the world on TV and Radio, He has played with Jools Holland, Ronnie Wood, Rock Nalle and Many more
