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Farewell to Mac

December 3, 2014: Ex-Small Faces and Faces piano/keyboard player and Stones’ collaborator Ian McLagan dies at 69 of a stroke at the University Medical Center Brackenridge, in Austin, Texas, just a day after the passing of Bobby Keys.

A Life Carved Into Rock History

Ian McLagan’s story unfolds like a mosaic of the most vibrant eras in British rock, each piece colored by his unmistakable sound and generous spirit. Born in Isleworth, west London, he found his earliest musical spark during visits to his grandmother in Ireland, where her accordion playing planted the first seeds of inspiration. Yet it was his mother who pushed him toward piano lessons after he had flirted with guitar and saxophone. His path through music was not instant nor predictable—early attempts with The Muleskinners and later with the Boz People yielded little commercial success, but they sharpened his instincts and prepared him for the moment that changed everything: joining the Small Faces in 1965. From there, his Hammond organ and Wurlitzer piano became part of the very architecture of rock, framing some of the most celebrated songs of the late 1960s and paving the way for his enduring legacy.

Early Roots and Musical Awakening

Before fame found him, McLagan was still shaping his identity as a musician. His first steps were taken with the Muleskinners, a band born out of friendships at Twickenham Art School. Though he started as a guitarist, a decisive shift came when he joined the Boz People and embraced the keyboards. Four singles came from this lineup, none successful, but every moment behind the keys brought him closer to the expressive, soulful touch that would define his future. When Jimmy Winston left the Small Faces in 1965, McLagan stepped in—and immediately elevated their sound. On the breakout hit Sha-La-La-La-Lee, his nimble organ lines intertwined with Steve Marriott’s fiery guitar, helping push the track to No. 3 on the UK charts and setting in motion a period of rapid artistic evolution.

Small Faces: Breakthroughs And Bold Experiments

McLagan’s role in the Small Faces became essential as the band’s songwriting and arrangements grew more sophisticated. His work powered some of their biggest moments: the surging organ on All Or Nothing, which knocked the Beatles from the top of the UK charts in 1966; the playful, psychedelic textures in Itchycoo Park, where his runs hinted at the altered states that inspired the song. The band’s creative peak arrived with Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake (1968), a kaleidoscopic album that showcased their maturity and influence—one that would be championed decades later by artists like Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher. Even as the group dissolved at the end of 1968, McLagan’s reputation as an inventive and intuitive keyboardist was firmly established, and his next chapter would take him into even larger arenas.

Faces: Chaos, Soul and Global Stardom

When Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood joined forces with Kenney Jones, Ronnie Lane, and McLagan in 1969, the Faces were born—a band that channeled equal parts brilliance and chaos. McLagan’s saloon-style piano became a key ingredient in their raucous blend of rock and soul. Hits like Stay With Me (1971) spotlighted the tug-of-war between his rollicking keys and Wood’s gritty guitar riffs, while Cindy Incidentally and Pool Hall Richard carried his fingerprints as both player and co-writer. Known for keeping a full bar onstage, the Faces became a powerhouse live act, and their success in the United States far exceeded that of the Small Faces, earning them a Top 10 album with A Nod Is As Good As a Wink… To a Blind Horse. McLagan’s work with Stewart continued as well, shaping the early solo albums that would help turn the singer into an international star.

Mac on the Road

Ian Mac McLagan didn’t just shine with the Faces—he also hit the road with the Stones (U.S. 1978 tour and American Tour 1981), also a member of Ronnie Wood’s The New Barbarians project in 1979. His easygoing vibe, killer keyboard chops, and up-for-anything spirit made him a perfect fit in both camps. Whether backing the Stones’ swagger or jamming through the New Barbarians’ chaos, McLagan added grit, charm, and that unmistakable soulful touch fans still love.

A Trusted Collaborator and Lasting Presence

Beyond his achievements with the Faces, McLagan became one of rock’s most sought-after collaborators. His distinctive Hammond B3 tone—deeply influenced by Booker T. Jones—added warmth and tension to recordings by Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg, Chuck Berry, Bonnie Raitt, and many others. His association with the Rolling Stones brought him onto both stage and record, including performances on Miss You and Just My Imagination from the Some Girls album (1978). Settling in Austin, Texas later in life, McLagan remained active and beloved in the music community until his unexpected passing on December 3, 2014, at age 69, from complications of a stroke suffered the day before. Though gone, his playing continues to ripple through generations—a reminder that some musicians don’t just play songs; they leave fingerprints on the evolution of rock itself.

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