Get ready for a wild ride through music history! The story of how Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart shaped the iconic Faces is a tale of serendipity and musical genius.
Wood, a legendary guitarist, recently released a career-defining anthology, Fearless: Anthology 1965-2025, celebrating his 60-year journey in music. Along with the album, he's been sharing personal stories on social media, giving us a glimpse into his remarkable career.
Before becoming a Rolling Stone, Wood was a founding member of the Faces, a band he and Stewart formed with members of the renowned British mod group, the Small Faces. But here's where it gets controversial... or rather, intriguing!
In a recent video, Wood revealed the untold story of the Faces' formation. It all started in 1968 when he and Stewart, touring with the Jeff Beck Group, were obsessed with the Small Faces' latest album, Ogden's Nut Gone Flake. Little did they know, a year later, the Small Faces' frontman, Steve Marriott, would leave the band to form Humble Pie with Peter Frampton.
Wood shared an interesting side note: the Small Faces' name wasn't just a catchy title; it reflected the height of its members! Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, and Ian McLagan were all on the shorter side, making them "perfectly suited for each other."
When Wood heard about Marriott's departure, he was determined to keep the Small Faces' spirit alive. "I said, 'What about the rest of the boys? This is a shame. We can't let them split up.'" And so, the journey to form the Faces began.
Wood reached out to Ronnie Lane, and the rest, as they say, is history. But there's a twist! The Jeff Beck Group, featuring Wood and Stewart, was also disbanding around this time. Coincidence? We think not!
Lane invited Wood to a rehearsal space in Bermondsey, London, where the Stones' pianist and road manager, Ian Stewart, was letting the Small Faces use the space. Wood, McLagan, Jones, and Lane jammed together, creating magical music inspired by The Meters and Booker T. and the MG's. But the big question remained: who would be the singer?
A few months later, Rod Stewart joined the band, and with their taller stature, the decision was made to drop "Small" from the band's name. And thus, the Faces were born!
Wood's Fearless compilation is a must-listen, offering a retrospective of his diverse musical journey. From The Creation to the Faces and The Rolling Stones, it's a musical adventure. The album concludes with four brand-new solo tracks by Wood, showcasing his enduring talent.
So, what do you think? Is this story of musical collaboration and friendship inspiring? Or does it make you question the role of chance in artistic endeavors? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
