The Rise and Fall of The Faces: From Rod Stewart’s Breakout Band to a Brotherhood Broken
The Rise and Fall of The Faces: From Rod Stewart’s Breakout Band to a Brotherhood Broken
In the summer of 1969, five former rock casualties - Ronnie Lane, Kenny Jones, Ian McLagan, Ronnie Wood, and Rod Stewart - joined forces in a London basement to form The Faces. The band’s early success, internal tensions, and eventual dissolution in 1975 left a legacy that still echoes in rock history.
Formation and Early Years (1969‑1970)
The Faces emerged when Ronnie Lane, Kenny Jones, and Ian McLagan, formerly of the Small Faces, met Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart, who had just left the Jeff Beck group. Their first studio effort, First Step, was released in March 1970 and credited to the Small Faces in the United States, confusing American audiences. The album featured exploratory tracks such as “Flying” and a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Wicked Messenger,” but critics dismissed the group as a “poor man’s Rolling Stones.”
Rise to Fame and Internal Struggles (1971‑1973)
Rod Stewart’s solo album Every Picture Tells a Story (1971) produced the hit “Maggie May,” topping charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom. While the Faces drew massive crowds, Stewart’s solo success shifted the band’s billing to “Rod Stewart and the Faces,” a change that alienated Ronnie Lane. Tensions escalated during the recording of Oo laa (1973); Stewart’s absence and harsh criticism of the album prompted Lane to leave on May 10 1973 after a backstage altercation. Lane’s departure marked the beginning of the band’s unraveling.
Breakup and Aftermath (1975‑1980s)
The Faces played their final concert on November 1 1975 at the Labor Temple in Minneapolis. The official split was announced on December 18 1975, with no farewell album or statement. Post‑breakup, Rod Stewart continued his solo career, Ronnie Wood joined the Rolling Stones in February 1976, Kenny Jones replaced Keith Moon in The Who in 1978, and Ian McLagan became a respected session keyboardist. Ronnie Lane pursued a quieter life, eventually battling multiple sclerosis, and died on June 4 1997 at age 51.
Key Facts
- The Faces formed in London summer 1969 from former Small Faces and Jeff Beck group members.
- Their debut album First Step was released March 1970 and credited to the Small Faces in the United States.
- Rod Stewart’s solo album Every Picture Tells a Story (1971) reached number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
- Ronnie Lane left the band on May 10 1973 after a backstage altercation.
- The band officially split on December 18 1975; their last concert was on November 1 1975 at the Labor Temple in Minneapolis.
FAQs
Q: Why was the Faces’ debut album credited to the Small Faces in the U.S.?
A: Record executives wanted to capitalize on the Small Faces’ commercial weight, so the album was released under that name in the United States, confusing American listeners.
Q: What caused Ronnie Lane’s departure from the Faces?
A: Lane was frustrated by Rod Stewart’s solo success, the band’s shift to a backing role, and a backstage altercation with Ian McLagan, leading to his exit on May 10 1973.
The Faces’ story is one of camaraderie, triumph, and eventual dissolution. Their music remains a testament to the power of brotherhood in rock, even as the band itself simply stopped being together.