Ronnie Wood starred in an emotional interview with Mario Pergolini on Otro día perdido, the show on El Trece. At 79 years old, the legendary guitarist of the Rolling Stones reflected on his friendship with Diego Maradona, recalled his health issues, and revealed why the British band still has no plans for a new tour.
The musician also jammed with the show's band, first with a harmonica and then with an acoustic guitar, before his performances in Argentina.
What did Ronnie Wood say about the Argentine audience?
Wood expressed his admiration for Argentine fans and was surprised by the chants that began to be heard in the studio. “Where do they get those chants?”, he asked as the audience sang the traditional “Oh, come on, the Stones.”
The guitarist spontaneously joined the program's musicians and began to improvise with his harmonica. He then picked up an acoustic guitar and accompanied the chants of those present. “They are the best audience in the world”, he assured during his visit.
What was his friendship with Diego Maradona like?
One of the funniest moments came when Pergolini asked him about his relationship with the historic Argentine footballer. “We were friends. We used to go out partying together”, Wood recalled, explaining that they had developed a particular way of communicating.
“We communicated through music,” he said, since Maradona did not speak English. The musician also revealed a curiosity: the Ten would call him Diego and he would respond by calling him Ronald.
Looking at photographs from those meetings, he remembered with laughter: “We had a few fun nights together and then we forgot what had happened.”
What did Ronnie Wood reveal about his battle with cancer?
The interview took on a more emotional tone when the guitarist spoke about the illnesses he faced. “I survived cancer twice”, he confessed.
Wood explained that in 2017 he was diagnosed with lung cancer, for which he had to undergo surgery to remove the tumor. Later, in 2020, he received another cancer diagnosis, this time small cell cancer.
The musician revealed that just a few months ago his doctors gave him news he had been waiting for years. “You are discharged. Ronnie, you no longer have cancer and we don’t want to see you again”, he recalled about the specialists' words.
The revelation prompted applause from the audience and allowed insight into how the artist faced one of the most difficult periods of his life.
How did he overcome his personal problems?
When Pergolini asked him if he had felt fear during the treatments, Wood highlighted a fundamental change in his habits. “I have been clean and sober for sixteen years”, he stated.
