As first reported by Billboard magazine, The Faces (an offshoot of The Small Faces) have decided to regroup, and are planning a reunion tour to commence in early 2010. The impetus for this reunion began when original band members Ian McLagan (keyboards), Kenney Jones (drums) and Ron Wood (guitars) performed at a benefit concert for the British Performing Rights Society at London's famous Royal Albert Hall back in late October, with guest vocalists Paul Carrack (Squeeze) and Simply Red's MIck Hucknall. The charity concert also featured Rolling Stones' bassist Bill Wyman filling in for original bassist Ronnie Lane, who passed away in 1997 of complications from pneumonia.
Perhaps what's most notable about the band is that it provided a springboard for a young and wiry lad by the name of Rod Stewart. McLagan says the fellers approached Rod with the idea of joining them on the reunion for old times sake, but Stewart declined, citing plans to promote his newest disc of covers, Soulbook in 2010.
"It would be much better to have Rod with us, but we're open either way" McLagan continues, "I think it's more exciting, actually, with different singers, different bass players, maybe some other guests, another guitarist or whatever, I just wanna play. If we don't do it soon, one of us is gonna check out." Bill Wyman however, is not likely to join the tour either, as he detests flying. Guitarist Wood suggested they tap Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, although McLagan's personal choice would be Glenn Matlock (late of punk pioneers The Sex Pistols,) who apparently found the inspiration to pick up a bass guitar from listening to Ronnie Lane's licks on Faces albums.
watch The Faces perform their version of Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" here.
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