Who were the Small Faces?

The original Small Faces was a British band, popular in the 1960's, founded by lead singer and guitarist Steve Marriott. Marriott added Ronnie Lane on bass and backing vocals; Ian McLagan on organ, guitar and vocals; and Kenny Jones on drums. He admitted to being influenced by the guitar work of Pink Floyd, and he was a vocalist with a strong voice that appeared to be built for hard rock.

During the Summer of Love (1967), the band had its first hit record with Itchycoo Park ("It's all too beautiful..."). This was followed the next year by the hard charging single, Tin Soldier ("I am a little tin soldier who wants to jump into your fire..."). The Small Faces were unique in including multiple instrumentals on their albums.

Marriott left the group in 1969, and he was replaced by the former lead singer of the Jeff Beck Group, Rod Stewart. Stewart also brought with him Ron Wood, a fine lead and rhythm guitarist. It was this band that recorded The First Step. They subsequently changed the band's name to, first, The Faces and later simply Faces. Faces recorded several albums, including Long Player, before Stewart departed for his highly successful - if not always critically acclaimed - solo career.

Ron Wood went on to join a popular band known as the Rolling Stones. Ronnie Lane joined Peter Townshend of the Who in recording Rough Mix, a quasi-solo album of very interesting songs. Lane also recorded several solo albums on his own before his musical career was slowed by multiple sclerosis. The highly talented drummer Kenny Jones went on, appropriately, to play with The Who following the death of Keith Moon.

Ian McLagen now lives in Austin, Texas where he is an active and respected member of the local musical community. Sadly, his wife Kim died in an auto accident in 2006.

In 1969, Steve Marriott joined with a then young singer-songwriter-guitarist named Peter Frampton to form the band Humble Pie. Greg Ridley played bass, and Jerry Shirley fumbled along on drums. Ridley came from the band Spooky Tooth, and Shirley from The Apostolic Intervention.

Humble Pie is best known for its live version of I Don't Need No Doctor and the single 30 Days in the Hole. The band broke-up, for all practical purposes, in 1975.

Peter Frampton, like Rod Stewart, went on to great success as a solo artist, recording the excellent Frampton album and the chart busting Frampton Comes Alive! Frampton basically became the second coming of Dave Mason on the wah-wah guitar.

Marriott, who appeared to be winning a lifelong battle to overcome his addictions, died quite tragically in a house fire in 1991. Greg Ridley died on November 19, 2003 in Alicante, Spain of complications from pneumonia and resulting complications. He was 56 years old.

Later this year, for the 13th year in a row, a Small Faces Convention will be held in London to pay tribute to the band's music. In 2008, Steve Marriott (namesake and nephew of the band's founder) appeared on stage to help perform his uncle's music. This year, The Small Fakers and the Darron Connett band - among others - are scheduled to perform.

Long live the spirit of the Faces Small!