Complete List Of Faces Band Members

Feature Photo: Bruce Alan Bennett / Shutterstock.com

The Faces emerged from the ashes of two significant British rock acts in 1969, creating one of the most beloved and influential rock bands of the early 1970s. When Small Faces frontman Steve Marriott left the band to form Humble Pie, the remaining members, bassist Ronnie Lane, drummer Kenney Jones, and keyboardist Ian McLagan, found themselves at a crossroads. Rather than disbanding, they recruited vocalist Rod Stewart and guitarist Ronnie Wood, both recently departed from the Jeff Beck Group, to form a new lineup.

With the addition of the two taller newcomers, the band dropped “Small” from its name, and the Faces were born. Their unique arrangement was complicated from the start, as Stewart had also signed a solo recording contract with Mercury Records while the band was signed to Warner Bros., creating a dual career path that would eventually contribute to the group’s demise. Despite this inherent tension, the Faces developed a reputation as one of rock’s most exciting live acts, known for their boozy, good-time performances and musical chemistry.

During their relatively brief original existence from 1969 to 1975, the Faces released four studio albums: First Step (1970), Long Player (1971), A Nod Is As Good As a Wink… to a Blind Horse (1971), and Ooh La La (1973). Their musical style blended rock, folk, blues, and soul with a distinctly British sensibility and working-class attitude that set them apart from their contemporaries. While their first two albums achieved moderate success, their third effort, A Nod Is As Good As a Wink… to a Blind Horse, brought them mainstream recognition, bolstered by “Stay with Me” and coinciding with Stewart’s solo breakthrough with “Maggie May.”

Throughout their career, the Faces battled the perception that they were merely Stewart’s backing band, a tension that grew as his solo career flourished. This situation came to a head during the Ooh La La period, after which Ronnie Lane left in 1973. The band continued with Japanese bassist Tetsu Yamauchi until 1975, releasing the live album Coast to Coast: Overture and Beginners and the non-album singles “Pool Hall Richard” and “You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything” before the original era ended.

Despite their relatively brief tenure, the Faces left an indelible mark on rock music, influencing countless bands with their loose, freewheeling approach and unpretentious attitude. After the original breakup, Stewart became a global superstar, Wood joined the Rolling Stones, Jones later joined The Who, and McLagan established himself as an in-demand session and touring musician. Lane’s post-Faces career was cut short by multiple sclerosis, which eventually forced him to retire from music.

Various partial reunions occurred over the decades, including performances at the 1986 and 1993 BRIT Awards and a 2010-2011 reunion run with Mick Hucknall on vocals and Glen Matlock on bass. The Small Faces/Faces were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Stewart, Wood, and Jones later reunited publicly in 2015, 2019, and at the 2020 BRIT Awards. Beginning in 2021, the surviving trio also resumed recording new Faces material.

By 2025, Kenney Jones said the trio had recorded about eleven tracks at RAK Studios in London for a possible first new Faces studio album since 1973, with Jools Holland appearing on one track. Ronnie Wood said later that year that progress had stalled because the members’ schedules were difficult to coordinate. As of October 4, 2026, no new Faces album has been released, although recent coverage of Rod Stewart’s future plans still refers to unreleased music recorded with Ronnie Wood.

Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart, born Roderick David Stewart on January 10, 1945, in London, England, joined the Faces in 1969 after departing the Jeff Beck Group alongside guitarist Ronnie Wood. As the Faces’ charismatic lead vocalist, Stewart brought his distinctive raspy voice and magnetic stage presence to the band, helping to define their sound and image. His powerful, soulful vocals were equally adept at delivering raucous rockers like “Stay with Me” and more tender ballads. While Stewart was undoubtedly the band’s primary frontman, he wasn’t their only vocalist; Ronnie Lane also sang lead on several tracks, particularly his own compositions, creating a vocal dynamic that added depth to the Faces’ repertoire.

Stewart’s tenure with the Faces was complicated by his simultaneous solo career, which began with his debut album “An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down” in 1969. The dual career paths initially coexisted without significant issues, as his early solo records featured the Faces members as his backing band on many tracks. However, when Stewart’s third solo album “Every Picture Tells a Story” (1971) topped the charts in both the US and UK, bolstered by the massive success of “Maggie May,” the balance of power inevitably shifted.

While the Faces benefited from Stewart’s newfound fame in the short term, with their album “A Nod Is As Good As a Wink” becoming their biggest commercial success, his increasing solo commitments and the public perception of the Faces as his backing band created tensions within the group. These tensions came to a head during the recording of “Ooh La La” (1973), which Stewart publicly criticized after its release, calling it a “bloody mess” in a Melody Maker interview, leading to Ronnie Lane’s departure from the band.

Despite the internal conflicts, Stewart continued with the Faces until the band’s original run ended in 1975, by which time he had already firmly established himself as one of rock’s biggest solo stars. After the Faces, Stewart’s career soared to even greater heights, particularly with the release of Atlantic Crossing (1975), which marked his move to the United States and a shift toward a more polished sound.

Over the decades that followed, Stewart remained one of rock’s most successful artists, selling more than 120 million records worldwide and reinventing himself multiple times while keeping his distinctive vocal style. He later reunited with Wood and Jones for special Faces performances, including the 2015 Prostate Cancer UK benefit, a 2019 charity event, and the 2020 BRIT Awards. Stewart also participated in the new Faces recording sessions that began in 2021. In September 2026, he announced that his 2027 Final Encore dates would be his last major tour, while emphasizing that he was not retiring from music.

Ronnie Wood

Ronnie Wood, born June 1, 1947, in Hillingdon, England, joined the Faces in 1969 alongside Rod Stewart, both of whom had recently left the Jeff Beck Group. As the Faces’ lead guitarist, Wood brought a raw, blues-based playing style that perfectly complemented the band’s loose, energetic approach. Beyond his guitar work, Wood was also a significant songwriter for the group, co-writing many of their most notable songs, including “Stay with Me” (with Stewart) and “Ooh La La” (with Ronnie Lane). He occasionally took on vocal duties as well, most notably on the title track of “Ooh La La,” which became one of the band’s most enduring songs despite not being released as a single during their active years.

Wood’s role in the Faces extended beyond guitar; he formed a tight musical partnership with bassist Ronnie Lane, and the two were often referred to collectively as “the Ronnies.” Together, they shaped the band’s musical direction and songwriting. While Stewart’s solo career was flourishing, Wood also pursued projects outside the Faces, releasing his first solo album “I’ve Got My Own Album to Do” in 1974, which featured guest appearances from several of his Faces bandmates as well as friends like George Harrison and Keith Richards.

In 1975, Wood began playing with the Rolling Stones, initially as a temporary replacement for Mick Taylor, which further complicated the Faces’ already fragile existence. This dual commitment, along with Stewart’s increasing focus on his solo career, contributed to the Faces’ breakup later that year.

Following the Faces’ original breakup, Wood officially joined the Rolling Stones as a permanent member in 1976, beginning what became a decades-long association that continues today. His distinctive guitar style and musical versatility made him a natural fit for the Stones, where he formed a celebrated guitar partnership with Keith Richards. Beyond the Stones, Wood has maintained a parallel career as a solo artist, collaborator, and visual artist. He participated in the 2010-2011 Faces reunion with Mick Hucknall on vocals and later reunited with Stewart and Jones. Wood also took part in the new Faces recording sessions, although in October 2025 he said progress on the album had stalled because coordinating everyone’s schedules remained difficult.

Ronnie Lane

Ronnie Lane, born April 1, 1946, in London, England, was a founding member of both the Small Faces and the Faces, providing a crucial link between the two bands. As the Faces’ bassist and secondary vocalist, Lane brought a distinctive musical sensibility that balanced Stewart and Wood’s more raucous tendencies with a folkier, more introspective approach. His songwriting contributions to the Faces, including tracks like “Debris,” “Ooh La La” (co-written with Wood), and “Flags and Banners,” showcased his gift for melancholy, reflective material that added depth and variety to the band’s repertoire. Lane’s warm, unpretentious vocals on his compositions provided a perfect counterpoint to Stewart’s more flamboyant style, creating a musical dynamic that was central to the Faces’ appeal.

Despite being a founding member, Lane’s role in the Faces diminished as Stewart’s solo career flourished, creating tensions that ultimately led to his departure in 1973. The recording of “Ooh La La” marked Lane’s greatest influence on the band’s sound. The album is often referred to as “Ronnie Lane’s album” due to his increased songwriting contributions, and it also marked the breaking point in his relationship with the group.

Stewart’s public criticism of the album after its release, coupled with Lane’s frustration over his diminished role as the band increasingly became perceived as Stewart’s backing group, prompted his exit. Within months of leaving the Faces, Lane formed a new band called Slim Chance, pursuing a more folk-influenced sound that reflected his personal musical vision, and scored an immediate UK hit with “How Come?” However, financial difficulties followed when a self-organized tour in a traveling-circus format, known as “The Passing Show,” ended in financial disaster.

After leaving the Faces, Lane released several critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful albums with Slim Chance, including “Anymore for Anymore” (1974), “Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance” (1975), and “One for the Road” (1976). In 1977, he collaborated with Pete Townshend of The Who on the album “Rough Mix,” which is widely regarded as one of his finest post-Faces achievements. Tragically, Lane was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the late 1970s, a condition that progressively limited his ability to perform and eventually forced his retirement from music in the early 1990s.

He moved to Texas in the early 1980s, where benefit concerts were organized to help with his medical expenses and brought together many of his famous friends and admirers. Lane made one of his final concert appearances in 1992 at a Ronnie Wood show, with Ian McLagan on keyboards. He died on June 4, 1997, at the age of 51, leaving behind a legacy as one of British rock’s most soulful songwriters and an irreplaceable element of the Faces’ unique chemistry.

Ian McLagan

Ian McLagan, born May 12, 1945, in Hounslow, England, was the keyboardist for both the Small Faces and the Faces, providing musical continuity between the two bands. After joining the Small Faces in 1966 as a replacement for Jimmy Winston, McLagan’s Hammond organ and piano work became integral to their sound. When the Small Faces became the Faces in 1969, after Steve Marriott’s departure, McLagan’s keyboard playing evolved to complement the new lineup’s more expansive, blues-rock approach. Throughout the Faces’ existence, his distinctive organ and piano contributions added depth and texture to their sound, whether providing rollicking accompaniment to up-tempo rockers or more nuanced support for ballads.

Beyond his instrumental contributions, McLagan was vital to the Faces’ chemistry and spirit. His keyboard skills helped bridge the stylistic gap between the more pop-oriented Small Faces and the Faces’ rootsier direction. While not as prominent a songwriter as Lane, Stewart, or Wood, McLagan nonetheless made significant contributions to the band’s compositions and arrangements. He remained with the Faces until their dissolution in 1975 and participated in all four of their studio albums.

After the band’s breakup, McLagan built a successful career as a highly sought-after session and touring musician, working with artists including the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, and Bruce Springsteen. He formed his own group, Ian McLagan & the Bump Band, and released several solo albums that showcased his keyboard prowess and songwriting.

McLagan remained an advocate for the Faces’ legacy throughout his life, participating in reunion activity and keeping the flame alive through his music and writings. In 1998, he published his autobiography, All the Rage, which provided valuable insight into his time with both the Small Faces and the Faces. He joined the 2009 charity reunion and the subsequent 2010-2011 Faces dates with Mick Hucknall and Glen Matlock, and he performed at the band’s 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction after Stewart withdrew due to illness.

McLagan continued performing and recording until his death on December 3, 2014, at age 69 following a stroke. His keyboard playing remains a defining element of the Faces’ sound, and his dedication to preserving and celebrating the band’s music helped ensure their enduring legacy.

Kenney Jones

Kenney Jones, born September 16, 1948, in London, England, was the drummer for both the Small Faces and the Faces, providing rhythmic continuity between the two bands. As a founding member of the Small Faces in 1965, Jones established himself as a skilled, versatile drummer whose playing evolved from the mod-influenced pop of their early years to the more psychedelic and experimental sounds of later recordings like “Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake.”

When the Small Faces became the Faces in 1969, Jones adapted his drumming style to suit the new lineup’s more blues-based, loose approach, while maintaining the solid rhythmic foundation that anchored their often freewheeling performances. Throughout the Faces’ existence, his precise yet swinging style was crucial to their sound, providing the perfect backdrop for Stewart’s vocals, Wood’s guitar work, Lane’s bass playing, and McLagan’s keyboards.

Jones remained with the Faces until their breakup in 1975, contributing to all four of their studio albums and their live recordings. Unlike some of his bandmates, he did not pursue a parallel solo career during the Faces’ existence, focusing instead on his role within the group. After the Faces dissolved, Jones joined a late-1970s Small Faces reunion, alongside Steve Marriott and Ian McLagan (with Rick Wills replacing Ronnie Lane, who was already battling multiple sclerosis).

After Keith Moon’s death in 1978, Jones joined The Who in 1979, a testament to his respected status among his peers. His tenure with The Who lasted until the mid-1980s, during which time he recorded the albums “Face Dances” (1981) and “It’s Hard” (1982) and participated in several tours.

After the Faces’ breakup, Jones remained active in music while also pursuing interests including polo, charity work, and business ventures. He participated in the 2010-2011 reunion with Mick Hucknall on vocals and later reunited with Stewart and Wood for additional performances.

Jones became one of the main public advocates for recording new Faces material, and in 2025 he revealed that the surviving trio had completed about eleven tracks at RAK Studios in London, although he cautioned that not all of them would necessarily make the finished album. His drumming style, defined by a mix of power, precision, and swing, was a defining element of the Faces’ sound. As one of the members who bridged the Small Faces and the Faces, Jones played a crucial role in shaping both bands’ musical identity.

Tetsu Yamauchi

Tetsu Yamauchi, born October 21, 1946, in Fukuoka, Japan, joined the Faces in 1973 as a replacement for founding bassist Ronnie Lane, who had departed the band amid frustration over his diminishing role and Stewart’s increasing solo success. Before joining the Faces, Yamauchi had played with Free after replacing Andy Fraser and appeared on that band’s final studio album, Heartbreaker. His arrival changed the Faces’ chemistry considerably because he was replacing a founding member whose songwriting, singing, and bass playing had been central to the group’s identity.

Yamauchi’s tenure with the Faces was relatively brief, spanning from his joining in 1973 until the band’s dissolution in 1975. During this period, the Faces did not record a new studio album, though they did release the live record “Coast to Coast: Overture and Beginners” in 1974, credited as “Rod Stewart/Faces.” Yamauchi’s bass playing can be heard on this album, as well as on the band’s final single, “You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything,” released in 1974.

By this time, the Faces were already in decline, with Wood beginning to work with the Rolling Stones and Stewart’s solo career continuing to flourish. Yamauchi’s integration into the band was further complicated by the language barrier and the fact that he was replacing a beloved founding member whose distinctive musical voice had been central to the Faces’ identity.

Following the Faces’ breakup in 1975, Yamauchi returned to Japan and continued working as a musician, including solo and session projects, before largely retiring from the music business. He died on December 4, 2025, at age 79, with his family announcing that he passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. The Faces’ official social-media presence also paid tribute to their former bassist. Although his tenure was shorter than Ronnie Lane’s, Yamauchi played an important role in the band’s final chapter and appears on its last live album and final single.

Jesse Ed Davis

Jesse Ed Davis joined the Faces as an additional rhythm guitarist during their final U.S. tour in 1975. A highly respected Kiowa guitarist from Oklahoma, Davis had already worked with artists including Taj Mahal, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr before joining the Faces onstage. His role expanded the guitar lineup while Ronnie Wood was simultaneously beginning his relationship with the Rolling Stones. Davis remained with the Faces through part of their final touring period rather than becoming a long-term studio member.

Mick Hucknall

Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall became the lead vocalist for the Faces reunion lineup that emerged in 2009 and toured during 2010 and 2011 while Rod Stewart remained focused on his solo career. Hucknall performed with Ronnie Wood, Ian McLagan, Kenney Jones, and bassist Glen Matlock, allowing the Faces catalog to return to major stages for the first sustained run of shows since the 1970s. He also sang with the group at the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction after Stewart withdrew because of illness.

Glen Matlock

Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock joined the Faces reunion lineup in 2010, filling the bass role once held by Ronnie Lane and Tetsu Yamauchi. Matlock toured with Ronnie Wood, Ian McLagan, Kenney Jones, and Mick Hucknall through the 2010-2011 reunion period and also participated in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame era. His melodic bass style and deep grounding in British rock made him a natural fit for the revived group.

Other Reunion And Touring Personnel

Several other musicians supported Faces reunions and late-period performances without joining the classic five-man lineup. Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman played bass at selected reunion appearances in 1986, 1993, and 2009. Andy Fairweather Low played additional guitar at the 2009 charity reunion, and guitarist Robin Le Mesurier appeared with the Stewart, Wood, and Jones lineup in 2015. During the band’s final 1975 period, they also used additional guest musicians onstage as the lineup expanded beyond its original configuration. These players are best understood as recurring reunion or touring personnel rather than replacements for the core Faces identity.

Musical Legacy and Influence

The Faces’ musical legacy extends far beyond their relatively brief active period from 1969 to 1975. Their four studio albums showcased a distinctive blend of rock, blues, folk, and soul that resonated with audiences and musicians alike. What set the Faces apart from many of their contemporaries was their unpretentious approach and the palpable fun and camaraderie that permeated their music, especially in their live performances.

They were known for their boozy, good-time image, yet beneath the revelry was serious musical talent and a genuine emotional depth, particularly in Ronnie Lane’s more reflective compositions. This mix of party-ready rock and soulful introspection created a unique musical identity that kept resonating long after the band’s dissolution.

The Faces’ influence can be heard in numerous bands that followed in their wake. Their loose, freewheeling style and working-class sensibility prefigured aspects of punk rock, while their rootsy, blues-based approach influenced generations of rock bands from The Replacements and The Black Crowes to more recent acts. Even Sex Pistols members Steve Jones and Glen Matlock were avowed Faces fans, demonstrating the band’s cross-generational appeal and unexpected influence on punk.

Beyond their musical impact, the Faces’ unpretentious attitude and emphasis on live performance as a communal celebration established a template for rock bands that valued authenticity and connection with their audience over technical perfection or artistic pretension.

The individual members’ post-Faces careers further extended their collective influence. Stewart’s solo success brought elements of the Faces’ sound to a global audience, while Wood’s long tenure with the Rolling Stones allowed aspects of his Faces-era playing style to infuse one of rock’s most iconic bands. Jones’ drumming with The Who kept the Faces’ rhythmic approach in the spotlight, and McLagan’s extensive session work spread his keyboard style across numerous recordings.

Lane’s post-Faces work with Slim Chance, and his collaboration with Pete Townshend on Rough Mix preserved his unique songwriting voice despite his declining health. The band’s legacy has also been celebrated through reunion performances, catalog reissues, and the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction shared with the Small Faces. Stewart, Wood, and Jones have recorded a substantial body of new Faces material, but as of October 4, 2026, that long-discussed album remains unreleased.