The Pioneers

The article on Small Faces in Allmusic opens:  “Small Faces were the best English band never to hit it big in America.”  Frontman Steve Marriott was the lead guitarist and lead vocalist for the band; he had already appeared in a key role in the musical Oliver!.  Ronnie Lane (bass guitar) invited Marriott to jam with his band the Pioneers, which also included Kenney Jones (drums) – while that gig didn’t go well, the three decided to move in the direction of American R&B.  The fourth bandmember was Jimmy Winston (organ), who was replaced by 1966 with Ian McLagan. 

(April 2014)