Small Faces were originally a British rhythm and blues band with a heavy mod following. They were later heavily praised and regarded as an influential psychedelic group with songs such as "Here Come the Nice","Itchycoo Park" and "Lazy Sunday" Formed in early 1965, the group originally included guitarist and lead singer Steve Marriott, bassist Ronnie Lane, keyboardist and guitarist Jimmy Winston and drummer Kenney Jones.
History
Small Faces were formed in early 1965 by Steve Marriott, previously of the Moments, Ronnie Lane and Kenney Jones of the Outcasts and Marriott's acquaintance Jimmy Winston. Don Arden signed them onto Decca Records, and released their debut single "Whatcha Gonna Do About It" shortly thereafter. It managed to reach number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. The follow-up single "I've Got Mine" was not nearly as successful, as it failed to chart in the UK.
Winston left the band for a solo career shortly after. In a 2000 interview, Kenney Jones 'stated' the reason Winston was fired from the band was because "He (Winston) got above his station and tried to compete with Steve Marriott." Reality is he left. Ian McLagan, of the Muleskinners, replaced Winston as the keyboardist. McLagan played his debut performance with them on 2 November 1965. After "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" became their first top ten hit, the Small Faces enjoyed widespread success, particularly in the UK and mainland Europe. Despite rumours that the group split on New Year's Eve of 1968, the truth is that they were actually obligated to perform a few scheduled live performances during the earlier parts of 1969 before finally separating, with Marriott forming Humble Pie, and the remaining Small Faces created Faces with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, both formerly of The Jeff Beck Group.
Members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsSteve Marriottall Small Faces releasesKenney JonesRonnie LaneJimmy Winston1965 Ian McLaganRick WillsJimmy McCulloch78 in the Shade (1978) – as guest
Session contributors ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsKenny Lynch1965–1966 backing vocalsSmall Faces (1966)P. P. Arnold Billy Nicholls1967–1968Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake (1968)David McCallum Sr.1967–1968 conductorStanley Unwin1967–1968 narrationLyn Dobson 1967–1968fluteEddie Thornton trumpetHarry Beckett 1967–1968 Derek Wadsworth1967–1968 tromboneJoe Brown1977Playmates (1977)Mel CollinssaxophoneDave Hynesbacking vocalsGreg Ridley1977 Vicki Brown1977–1978 Helen Chappelle197878 in the Shade (1978)Lavinia RogersMadeline BellLiza StrikeSam BrownStephen SmithGreg CobbNick Webb
Timeline
Line-ups Lineup MembersContributionsJanuary – October 1965 Steve Marriott – guitars, vocals Kenney Jones – drums, percussion Jimmy Winston – guitars, keyboards, vocals Ronnie Lane – bass, vocals "Whatcha Gonna Do About It" (1965) "I've Got Mine" (1965) The BBC Sessions (1999) (tracks 1-3) November 1965 – February 1969 Steve Marriott – guitars, keyboards, vocals Kenney Jones – drums, percussion Ian McLagan – keyboards, bass, guitars, vocals Ronnie Lane – bass, guitars, vocals Small Faces (Decca) (1966) From the Beginning (1967) Small Faces (Immediate) (1967) There Are But Four Small Faces (1967) Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake (1968) In Memoriam (1969) The Autumn Stone (1969) The BBC Sessions (1999) (remaining tracks) Live 1966 (2021)Band inactive February 1969 – late 1975Late 1975 Steve Marriott – guitars, keyboards, vocals Kenney Jones – drums, percussion Ian McLagan – keyboards, bass, guitars, vocals Ronnie Lane – bass, guitars, vocalsnoneEarly 1976 – September 1977 Steve Marriott – guitars, keyboards, harmonica, vocals Kenney Jones – drums, percussion Ian McLagan – keyboards, guitars, vocals Rick Wills – bass, vocals Playmates (1977)September 1977 – 1978 Steve Marriott – guitars, keyboards, vocals Kenney Jones – drums, percussion Ian McLagan – keyboards, guitars, vocals Rick Wills – bass, vocals Jimmy McCulloch – guitars, vocals 78 in the Shade (1978) The Complete Atlantic Years (2021) "Kayoed (By Luv)" and "Hungry And Looking" only
References