Rod Stewart / Faces (October 18, 1975) – “Rod Loses Face” Feature - Unknown Publication
Updated: Oct 18
This sharply critical concert review documents a troubled Faces performance at Angel Stadium before an audience reported as 54,000 strong. The article describes Rod Stewart apologising to the crowd after the Faces' sound system and guitars had failed to arrive, forcing the band to improvise with replacement equipment while attempting to complete the show.
Publication: Unknown Publication
Date: October 18, 1975
Country: United States
Under the headline “Rod Loses Face”, Stann Findelle reports on a Faces concert at Angel Stadium that encountered serious problems before the band had even begun performing. The article states that the truck carrying the Faces' sound system and guitars had broken down 500 miles away in Arizona, leaving the group without much of its essential equipment.
Rod Stewart addressed the situation directly from the stage, offering what the reviewer describes as a torrent of apologies. The article reports Stewart telling the audience, “I’m so sorry I could wish I was dead,” before explaining the circumstances that had disrupted the performance.
While the musical equipment had failed to arrive, the article humorously notes that the band's stage props had made it on time. These included potted palms and Britt Ekland wrapped in white linen with stockings sagging around the ankles.
Faced with the missing equipment, the Faces assembled a makeshift replacement system. The second-billed acts, Loggins and Messina, loaned guitars, while the group attempted to continue using whatever equipment could be put together. The reviewer describes the resulting sound as badly compromised.
The article is especially critical of the lengthy sound problems. The crowd is described as becoming increasingly restless under the sunlight as the situation continued. According to the review, the sound system remained out of synchronisation and the performance suffered severely as a result.
Songs specifically mentioned include “Memphis” and “It’s All Over Now.” The reviewer notes that Ron Wood continued playing despite the difficulties, while the group's performance required reinforcement from another musician.
One particularly difficult moment occurred during “I’m Losing You”, when the vocal amplification reportedly failed during the third song. The article uses the title of the song as an ironic reflection of the frustration surrounding the performance.
The review also records an unexpected audience incident, with a concertgoer making it onto the stage after negotiating the surrounding barrier in order to reach Stewart. The article presents the incident as another example of the unpredictable nature of the troubled event.
Despite the problems, the Faces continued with the performance using the equipment available to them. The review, however, concludes on a deeply critical note, presenting the show as one overwhelmed by technical failures and circumstances beyond the band's control.
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The central issue documented by the clipping is the failure of the Faces' own equipment to arrive at Angel Stadium. Rather than reviewing a concert performed under normal conditions, the article describes a group attempting to improvise after losing access to its regular sound system and instruments.
The review contrasts Stewart's repeated apologies with the practical efforts made to continue the concert. Borrowed guitars and a makeshift sound system allowed the performance to proceed, but the article makes clear that the resulting technical problems had a major effect on the show.
The large photograph accompanying the review shows the Faces performing on stage, with Stewart at the microphone and other members of the group positioned around the stage equipment. The image is credited to Andy Kent.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Faces concert at Angel Stadium
Era: 1975 Faces touring period
Tone: Highly critical, observational and occasionally humorous
Photography: Large live performance photograph credited to Andy Kent
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Concert review headlined “Rod Loses Face”
• Report that the Faces' sound equipment and guitars were stranded 500 miles away in Arizona
• Rod Stewart apologising to the 54,000 concertgoers
• Borrowed guitars from Loggins and Messina and a makeshift replacement sound system
• References to “Memphis,” “It’s All Over Now” and “I’m Losing You”
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