Faces: "A Sad Send-Off" Feature (1974)

Faces’ "A Sad Send-Off", a four-page feature in Circus Raves Magazine, January 1, 1974.

Their last LP together is called 'Overtures And Beginnings', but because it provides a last look at a famous band at the peak of their powers some say the disc should be called 'Undertures And Endings'.

Sometimes even talent and hard works together aren't enough to guarantee success for a rock band. Sometimes the key to success is sheer determination and a stiff upper lip when the chips are down. In 1967, when The Small Faces were finally reaching a plateau of pop stardom, founder Steve Marriott walk- ed out on them, announcing he was "going to play with real musicians." This left the boys from London's East End in sad shape until 1969 when Jeff Beck made the mistake of sacking his bassist, Ron Wood. When Ron left, the group's vocalist, one Rod Stewart, went along with him, and the pair soon hooked up with the frowning remnants of The Small Faces. The new combination was quickly and ironically dubbed "a bunch of losers" by the English press.

Two years later, after the "Maggie May" summer of 1971, The Faces emerged as a super-group to match their super soloist. And following the group's "Stay With Me" single, it look- ed as if they were going to stay on top this time around.

But another two-year cycle has passed, and in the summer of 1973, The Faces once again had to steel their nerves and tough it out through another round of problems. Though the past three years indicated a steady upwards climb for them, with each tour meaning more audiences and more record sales, and with the parallel career of a hot Rod complementing the group's efforts, their reviews suddenly went sour. To make matters worse, Ron Lane left the group, unable to accept their...

Circus Raves Magazine