Faces, an English rock band, emerged in London in 1969 from the remnants of Small Faces. This transformation occurred after Steve Marriott, the lead singer and guitarist of Small Faces, departed to form Humble Pie. The remaining members—bassist Ronnie Lane, drummer Kenney Jones, and keyboardist Ian McLagan—then recruited new talent in the form of lead singer Rod Stewart and guitarist Ronnie Wood, both of whom had previously been part of the Jeff Beck
Group. With these significant personnel changes, the band shortened its name to Faces, marking the beginning of a new musical chapter that would see them achieve considerable success and tour extensively across the globe.
Formation and Early Days
The initial collaboration that would eventually lead to Faces began with a group called Quiet Melon in May 1969. This early formation included Ronnie Wood's older brother, Art Wood, and Kim Gardner, alongside Wood and Stewart. They recorded four songs and played a few shows during a break in Wood's and Stewart's commitments with The Jeff Beck Group. Later that summer, Wood and Stewart officially left the Jeff Beck Group and joined Lane, McLagan, and Jones full-time, solidifying the new lineup. Even before any official Faces releases, Wood and McLagan contributed to Rod Stewart's first solo album in 1969, titled *An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down* in the UK and *The Rod Stewart Album* in the US.
The decision to drop the "Small" from the band's name was partly practical; Stewart and Wood, at 5'10" and 5'9" respectively, were notably taller than the original Small Faces members. Record company executives initially pushed for the band to retain the "Small Faces" name, hoping to capitalize on its previous success. However, the band members argued that the personnel changes had created a fundamentally different group. As a compromise, their debut album was credited to the Small Faces in the US, while subsequent albums were released under the new name, Faces, establishing their distinct identity.
Global Touring and Commercial Success
From 1970 to 1975, Faces became a prominent live act, regularly touring Britain, Europe, and the USA. During this period, they were recognized as one of the top-grossing live performers. Their touring schedule expanded significantly in 1974 to include Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, demonstrating their growing international appeal. The following year, in 1975, they continued their extensive travels with tours across the United States and Canada, solidifying their reputation as a global rock sensation.
Among their most successful songs were "Had Me a Real Good Time," their breakthrough UK hit "Stay with Me," "Cindy Incidentally," and "Pool Hall Richard." These tracks became staples of their live performances and contributed to their commercial success. However, as Rod Stewart's solo career gained increasing momentum and popularity, it began to overshadow the band itself. This shift in focus eventually led to internal tensions, culminating in Ronnie Lane's departure in 1973. One of the reasons cited for Lane's disillusionment was his frustration over not having more opportunities to sing lead vocals within the band, highlighting the evolving dynamics and challenges faced by Faces during their active years.
