Happy Boys Happy: A Rock History of the Small Faces & Humble Pie
Uli Twelker & Roland Schmitt
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Sanctuary (UK), 1997
1860741975
As a group, the Small Faces' career was comparatively brief, lasting only from 1965 to 1969. But their influence on British and American rock music ever since was vast, and several of their greatest hits, notably 'All Or Nothing' and 'Itchycoo Park', are recognised as classics.
They also spawned several other successful groups after disbanding. Leader Steve Marriott enjoyed some success with Humble Pie, which he formed with Peter Frampton - later a major solo star in his own right. The other Small Faces teamed up with Rod Stewart to form the Faces, and the rest is history.
This book looks at the ups and downs, the highs and lows of their careere and to some extent their personal lives. In places it is a sad book, especially when charting the decline of Steve Marriott, who died in a fire in his cottage in 1991, and of his songwriting partner Ronnie Lane, who fought and lost a long battle with multiple sclerosis. Yet as an insight into the rock music of those explosive decades, it is a fascinating read.
The review of this Book prepared by John Van der Kiste
