Ian McLagan, the keyboardist of legendary rock band SMALL FACES, and later the supergroup FACES, has died at the age of 69. According to the Austin-American Statesman, McLagan was hospitalized in Austin after suffering an apparent stroke. Paste was the first to report news of McLagan’s death.
In 1966, McLagan replaced Jimmy Winston to become the keyboardist in SMALL FACES, alongside Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, and Kenney Jones. Rising amidst UK’s “Mod movement” in 1960s, SMALL FACES established themselves with chart-topping singles ‘Itchycoo Park’, ‘Lazy Sunday’, ‘All or Nothing’, and ‘Tin Soldier’, which blended elements of rock ‘n’ roll, psychedelic, and blues.
After Marriott departed SMALL FACES to form Humble Pie, McLagan, Lane, and Jones continued on as FACES, enlisting Rod Stewart and Ron Wood to fill out the lineup.The supergroup proved to be one of the UK’s most popular acts in the 70s: their tours were consistently among the highest grossing in all of music, while songs such as ‘Pool Hall Richard’ and ‘Stay With Me’ soared up the charts.
The lineups of SMALL FACES and FACES were simultaneously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Both bands are credited for influencing UK’s eventual Britpop movement.
Over the years, McLagan also worked with The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, and Bruce Springsteen. He also had his own solo career, consistently releasing records over the last four decades.