New CD, DVD and Blu-ray releases





Ian McLagan of the Small Faces/Faces dies aged 69

Written by admin on December 4, 2014 – 9:00 pm -



Ian McLagan, who played keyboard for the Small Faces and Faces, died on Wednesday (Dec 3) in Austin, Texas.

Ian McLagan of the Small Faces/Faces

The following messages has been posted on his official website:

It is with great sadness and eternal admiration that we report the passing of rock and roll icon Ian McLagan… He died today, December 3, 2014, surrounded by family and friends in his adopted hometown of Austin, TX, due to complications from a stroke suffered the previous day. He was 69 years old.

Ian’s artistry, generosity and warmth of spirit touched countless other musicians and music fans around the world. His loss will be felt by many.

Kenney Jones, McLagan’s bandmate in the Small Faces and Faces, said:

I am completely devastated by this shocking news and I know this goes for Ronnie [Wood] and Rod [Stewart] also.

Rod Stewart, former frontman with the Faces, also expressed his sadness:

I’m absolutely devastated. Ian McLagan embodied the true spirit of the Faces. Last night I was at a charity do, Mick Hucknall was singing ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’, and Ron Wood texted to say Ian had passed. It was as if his spirit was in the room. I’ll miss you mate.

Ian McLagan was born on 12 May 1945 in Hounslow, Middlesex, England. He played keyboards for the Muleskinners and Boz People in the early 1960s before replacing Jimmy Winston in the Small Faces in 1965. It’s McLagan’s keyboard work on such classics as “Tin Soldier,” “Itchycoo Park” and “Lazy Sunday”.

“Itchycoo Park” – The Small Faces

The band changed its name to the Faces in 1969 following the departure of frontman Steve Marriott and addition of new members Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood.

“Stay With Me” – The Faces

McLagan stayed with the Faces until they split in 1975. The band reformed for a charity gig in 2009, without Stewart or the late Ronnie Lane, and were back together for a series of dates in 2010/11 with Mick Hucknall taking vocal duties.

After the Faces’ original split, McLagan became one of the Rolling Stones’ sidemen in the studio and on tour. He also found time to record a number of solo albums and front the Bump Band from the late 1970s, opening for the Rolling Stones in Austin, Texas in 2006. McLagan’s death came just one day after the death of Bobby Keys, who played saxophone with the Rolling Stones for many years.

Other artists for whom McLagan did session work over the years included Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Wood, Joe Cocker, Chuck Berry and Jackson Browne.

McLagan remained an active musician until the end, recently founding the Empty Hearts with Blondie drummer Clem Burke, the Cars’ guitarist Elliot Easton, the Chesterfield Kings’ bassist Andy Babiuk, and the Romantics’ guitarist and vocalist Wally Palmar. The band’s self-titled debut album was released in August 2014. He also appeared on Lucinda Williams’ album “Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone,” which was released in September.

Ian McLagan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of the Small Faces/Faces.



Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in British Invasion, Obituaries, Rock music |



Comments Off on Ian McLagan of the Small Faces/Faces dies aged 69

Comments are closed.

New CD, DVD and Blu-ray releases