Faces: The Unruly Heart of British Boogie Rock

Faces were a British rock band formed in 1969, renowned for their raucous, good-time blend of rhythm and blues, folk, and hard rock. Emerging from the ashes of the Small Faces after the departure of Steve Marriott, the group became one of the most beloved and influential live acts of the early 1970s, celebrated for their loose, party-like performances and a string of classic rock anthems.

Early career

The band's story began in 1969 when three members of the Small Faces-Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, and Ian McLagan-were joined by guitarist Ron Wood and vocalist Rod Stewart, who were both recruited from the Jeff Beck Group. This new line-up, initially dubbed the Small Faces for contractual reasons, soon became simply Faces. Their 1970 debut album, *First Step*, immediately distinguished their more raw, blues-rock oriented sound from the mod-pop of their predecessor.

Breakthrough

Faces found their breakthrough with their second and third albums, 1971's *Long Player* and *A Nod Is as Good as a Wink... to a Blind Horse*. The latter album, released on Warner Bros. Records, contained their biggest commercial hit, "Stay with Me," which cracked the Top 10 in the UK and the US. This period solidified their reputation as the definitive boogie-rock band, with their chaotic and energetic concerts building a massive, devoted following.

Key tracks

Stay with Me - The band's signature single, a swaggering hard-rock anthem that became their highest-charting hit and a staple of classic rock radio.

Ooh La La - The title track from their final 1973 album, a poignant, folk-tinged song sung by Ronnie Lane and Ron Wood that has endured as a beloved deep cut.

Had Me a Real Good Time - A rollicking track from *Long Player* that perfectly encapsulates the band's live, party-starting philosophy.

Maybe I'm Amazed - Their fiery live cover of the Paul McCartney song, featured on *Long Player*, showcased Rod Stewart's powerful vocals and the band's gritty musical synergy.

The band's success was always paralleled by the soaring solo careers of Rod Stewart and Ron Wood, which created increasing tension. Despite the critical acclaim for 1973's *Ooh La La*, internal divisions led to Ronnie Lane's departure that same year. Faces limped on for a brief period with new members but finally disbanded in 1975 after Stewart's solo commitments became all-consuming and Ron Wood officially joined The Rolling Stones. Their influence, however, proved immense, inspiring countless bands with their emphasis on feel over precision and their embodiment of rock and roll as a gloriously messy good time.

Fans of Faces' brand of raucous, blues-based British rock often also enjoy the music of The Who for their powerful mod and hard rock energy. The rough-and-ready style of The Rolling Stones shares a clear lineage with Faces' approach. The early work of Rod Stewart is, of course, deeply intertwined with the band's output. Listeners might also appreciate the boogie-rock drive of Humble Pie, which featured former Small Face Steve Marriott.

The music of Faces continues to be featured on classic rock FM stations and album-oriented rock formats, keeping their spirited anthems alive for new generations of listeners.

You can discover the energetic boogie rock of Faces on various radio stations featured here on Onairium.com, where their timeless tracks remain in regular rotation.