A Beginner’s Guide - The Faces

(The Ultimate Boozy Good-Time Rock Band)

The Faces were a legendary English rock band formed in London in 1969 from the ashes of the Small Faces. Famous for their loose, ragged, party-hard attitude, soulful rock ‘n’ roll, and incredible camaraderie, they embodied the spirit of early 1970s British rock — sweaty, fun, and full of heart. With Rod Stewart’s raspy vocals and Ronnie Wood’s gritty guitar, they became one of the era’s most beloved live acts.

CLASSIC LINEUP

• Rod Stewart – Lead vocals, harmonica

• Ronnie Wood – Lead & slide guitar, vocals

• Ronnie Lane (“Plonk”) – Bass, vocals

• Ian McLagan (“Mac”) – Keyboards, vocals

• Kenney Jones – Drums

  
  

BIGGEST HITS

• "Stay with Me" (1971) – Their signature raw rocker

• "Ooh La La" (1973)

• "Cindy Incidentally"

• "Pool Hall Richard"

• "You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything"

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KEY ALBUMS

• First Step (1970)

• Long Player (1971)

• A Nod Is As Good As a Wink... to a Blind Horse (1971) – Their biggest commercial success

• Ooh La La (1973) – Often considered their creative peak

CAREER STORY

After Steve Marriott left the Small Faces, the remaining members recruited Rod Stewart (from the Jeff Beck Group) and Ronnie Wood. They deliberately dropped “Small” to mark a new, rowdier chapter. The band was notorious for their hard-drinking, high-energy live shows and backstage chaos. While Rod’s simultaneous solo career brought massive success (and some tension), the Faces delivered pure, unpretentious rock ‘n’ roll.

The band split in 1975. Ronnie Wood joined the Rolling Stones, Kenney Jones later joined The Who, and Ronnie Lane pursued his solo/Slim Chance projects. They had occasional reunions over the years.

LEGACY

The Faces influenced punk, indie, and roots rock bands (The Replacements, Black Crowes, etc.) with their loose groove and everyman charm. They represented the joy of playing rock ‘n’ roll with your mates — no frills, just feeling.

WHY THE FACES MATTER

They were the ultimate lads’ band that still made great music. Between the polished glam of their contemporaries and the raw edge that was coming, The Faces delivered warm, soulful, sing-along rock with a pint in hand. Few bands have ever sounded like they were having that much fun on stage.

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