In what appears to have been a sudden, tragic turn, keyboardist Ian McLagan of the bands Small Faces and Faces has passed away. He was 69.
Earlier today (December 3), some sources reported that he had suffered a head injury. The Official Small Faces Fan Club clarified, however, that he suffered a "massive stroke." He was on life support as of the original posting, but subsequent updates have confirmed that he passed away.
He had been due to begin a North American tour opening for Nick Lowe today.
McLagan began playing with the Small Faces in the mid-'60s, and they became a touchstone band in the mod movement. When the group went on hiatus in 1969, McLagan co-founded a spinoff project called the Faces, featuring singer Rod Stewart and future Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood. Small Faces went on to reunite and broke up for good in the late '70s.
McLagan additionally worked extensively as a sideman for the Rolling Stones and Billy Bragg, and his other credits include Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Chuck Berry, Paul Westerberg, Bruce Springsteen, Buddy Guy and many more.
He also released solo albums and led his own project called the Bump Band. He released a memoir called All the Rage: A Riotous Romp Through Rock & Roll History in 2000.
Former bandmate Kenney Jones (of both Small Faces and the Faces) said in a statement, "I am completely devastated by this shocking news and I know this goes for Ronnie and Rod also."
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member is pre-deceased by his wife Kim Kerrigan, who died in a traffic accident in 2006. He is survived by his son Lee.
Earlier today (December 3), some sources reported that he had suffered a head injury. The Official Small Faces Fan Club clarified, however, that he suffered a "massive stroke." He was on life support as of the original posting, but subsequent updates have confirmed that he passed away.
He had been due to begin a North American tour opening for Nick Lowe today.
McLagan began playing with the Small Faces in the mid-'60s, and they became a touchstone band in the mod movement. When the group went on hiatus in 1969, McLagan co-founded a spinoff project called the Faces, featuring singer Rod Stewart and future Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood. Small Faces went on to reunite and broke up for good in the late '70s.
McLagan additionally worked extensively as a sideman for the Rolling Stones and Billy Bragg, and his other credits include Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Chuck Berry, Paul Westerberg, Bruce Springsteen, Buddy Guy and many more.
He also released solo albums and led his own project called the Bump Band. He released a memoir called All the Rage: A Riotous Romp Through Rock & Roll History in 2000.
Former bandmate Kenney Jones (of both Small Faces and the Faces) said in a statement, "I am completely devastated by this shocking news and I know this goes for Ronnie and Rod also."
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member is pre-deceased by his wife Kim Kerrigan, who died in a traffic accident in 2006. He is survived by his son Lee.
