Small Faces one of the best British pop-rock bands of the 1960s. Which was never given the credit and respect they deserved.
The Small Faces were significant challengers to The Rolling Stones. In addition to The Who, and The Kinks in 1960s Britain (The Beatles were in a different league). In the UK, they had fourteen hit singles and five hit albums. As well as economic success in continental Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
They were, however, the only prominent British band to struggle in the United States during the ‘British Invasion’ of the 1960s.
Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, Ian McLagen, and former child actor Steve Marriott comprised the Small Faces. The Small Faces, together with the Who and the Kinks, epitomised the British Mod subculture of the time.
The Mods wore smart Italian clothes, had short hair, and rode Italian motor scooters. Lights, pennants, and British insignia were adorning the scooters. Music was an integral part of Mod culture.
The phrase ‘Face’ refers to a well-dressed and attractive Mod. Small was added to the group’s name since all four members were under five feet five inches tall.
The Small Faces’ back catalogue contains some of the best pop music from the 1960s. They continue to have an impact on rock and pop music in the United Kingdom, particularly the mid-’90s Brit Pop explosion with bands like Blur, Oasis, and Pulp.
The Small Faces have been regarded as a key influence by Paul Weller, Led Zeppelin, and Ocean Colour Scene.
