Introduction to Rod Stewart and The Small Faces
Rod Stewart and The Small Faces are linked by British rock history, with Stewart emerging as the Small Faces’ frontman before launching a solo career that reshaped pop and rock. This overview explains their shared timeline, key lineup changes, main recordings, and lasting influence, separating myth from verified detail for a long-term understanding of how the Small Faces evolved into Rod Stewart’s early powerhouse band.
The Small Faces: origins and core lineup
The Small Faces formed in 1965 in London as a mod-era rock and soul group. Original members included Steve Marriott (vocals, guitar), Ronnie Lane (bass, vocals), Kenney Jones (drums), and Jimmy Winston (keyboards, vocals), later replaced by Ian McLagan (keyboards). The band scored UK hits with songs such as “Itchycoo Park” and “Lazy Sunday,” blending R&B, pop, and hard-edged rock. Their tight live shows and strong songwriting built a dedicated following across the UK and Europe.
Key members and roles
| Name | Role in The Small Faces | Notable contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Marriott | Lead vocals, guitar | Primary songwriter, driving voice and energy |
| Ronnie Lane | Bass, vocals | Songwriting, melodic counterpoints |
| Kenney Jones | Drums | Powerful, precise rhythm foundation |
| Ian McLagan | Keyboards | Textural keyboards, backing vocals |
Rod Stewart joins The Small Faces
Rod Stewart joined The Small Faces in 1969, recruited as lead singer after the band’s original lineup shifted. His powerful voice and charismatic stage presence complemented the band’s harder, evolving sound. With Stewart onboard, they rebranded as Faces, extending the lineup and touring heavily. This period produced albums such as “First Step” (1970) and “Long Long After” (1971), capturing Faces as a top live act and rock force in the early 1970s.
Faces lineup at peak with Rod Stewart
| Name | Role in Faces | Primary contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Rod Stewart | Lead vocals | Frontman, key image and voice |
| Ronnie Wood | Guitar, vocals | Songwriting, guitar tone and stagecraft |
| Ronnie Lane | Bass, vocals | Arrangements, backing vocals |
| Kenney Jones | Drums | Rhanch stability and power |
| Ian McLagan | Keyboards | Backing vocals, textures |
Key recordings and notable songs
During Rod Stewart’s tenure, The Small Faces and Faces released several influential albums. “Small Faces” (1966) and “Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake” (1968) captured the band at their mod and psychedelic peak, while Faces albums like “First Step” (1970), “A Nod Is As Good As a Wink… to a Blind Horse” (1971), and “Ooh La La” (1973) highlighted their hard rock edge and Stewart’s rising star. Standout tracks from the Faces era include “Stay With Me,” “Cindy Incidentally,” and “Pool Hall Richard,” blending soulful hooks with rock swagger.
Why Rod Stewart left and the split
Rod Stewart’s departure from Faces around 1973 stemmed in part from his soaring solo profile and differing artistic directions. He pursued a solo career that quickly escalated in popularity, while the broader music landscape and internal dynamics made continuing Faces increasingly difficult. The band officially dissolved shortly thereafter. Although the Small Faces name effectively ended with Stewart’s exit, their music endured on classic rock playlists and influenced generations of British guitar pop and rock bands.
Legacy and ongoing influence
The Small Faces’ songwriting and studio craft set a high bar for British pop and rock, and their recordings remain staples of classic radio and playlists. Rod Stewart’s tenure with the Small Faces and Faces helped establish his raspy voice and charismatic persona long before his solo superstardom. Both the original Small Faces lineup and the Faces era with Stewart are remembered for tight musicianship, memorable hooks, and a distinctive British rock character that helped define the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Rod Stewart solo career context
Following Faces, Rod Stewart rapidly ascended as a solo artist, drawing on the melodic sensibility learned in the band while embracing pop, rock, and later soul and standards. Albums such as “Every Picture Tells a Story” (1971) and “Maggie May” (1971) cemented his commercial appeal and broadened his audience far beyond the UK. His catalog from the Faces era provided a bridge between the band’s R&B-driven roots and the arena-ready rock and pop he would perfect as a solo artist.
Summary of timeline and milestones
| Date or Period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | The Small Faces formed in London | Established a mod-era rock group that blended soul and pop |
| 1966–1968 | Key Small Faces releases: “Small Faces,” “Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake” | Defined their psychedelic and melodic peak |
| 1969 | Rod Stewart joins; rebrand to Faces | Shift to a harder, guitar-driven rock sound with Stewart as focal point |
| 1970–1973 | Faces albums: “First Step,” “A Nod Is As Good As a Wink… to a Blind Horse,” “Ooh La La” | Mature hard rock, strong live reputation, Stewart’s rising profile |
| 1973 | Rod Stewart goes solo full-time; Faces dissolve | End of the band, but legacy persists in classic rock canon |
How to distinguish the Small Faces from Faces
The Small Faces originally referred to the 1965–1969 lineup without Rod Stewart. After Stewart joined and the band became Faces, the lineup expanded and the sound grew heavier and more guitar-driven. Recognizing these distinctions helps clarify credits, discographies, and which songs belong to which era. For collectors and historians, noting whether a release is branded Small Faces or Faces is important for accuracy.
Key differences at a glance
- Origin: The Small Faces formed in 1965; Faces emerged in 19969 following Rod Stewart’s arrival.
- Sound: The Small Faces emphasized mod soul and psychedelia; Faces leaned into hard rock and boogie.
- Commercial peak: The Small Faces achieved UK chart success pre-Stewart; Faces found success on albums and tours with Stewart as the headline act.
- Membership: Core Small Faces members included Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, and Ian McLagan; Faces added Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood.
FAQ
Reader questions
Did Rod Stewart write songs for The Small Faces?
Rod Stewart contributed to Faces’ songwriting but was not a primary writer for the classic Small Faces catalog. Most Small Faces hits were written by Marriott and Lane. Stewart’s major songwriting contributions came with Faces and, especially, his solo career.
Are the Small Faces and Faces the same band?
They are the same musical lineage, but with a key distinction. The Small Faces refers to the original 1965–1969 lineup. Faces describes the group from 1969 onward, with Rod Stewart as lead singer and a larger lineup that included Ronnie Wood.
Which Small Faces songs feature Rod Stewart?
Songs recorded after 1969 under the Faces name with Rod Stewart as vocalist include “Stay With Me,” “Cindy Incidentally,” and “Pool Hall Richard.” No Small Faces studio recordings feature Stewart; his involvement begins with the Faces rebrand.
Where can I hear the difference between the Small Faces and Faces?
Compare the mod-soul of early Small Faces tracks like “All or Nothing” with the hard rock of Faces tracks such as “Stay With Me” to hear how the addition of Rod Stewart shifted the group’s direction.