Drawn into the British beat boom at an early age, Ian McLagan cut his first sides with teenage groups such as The Muleskinners and the Boz People.
When Jimmy Winston left the Small Faces, though, the keyboard player's fate was sealed. A diminutive soul fan and eager Hammond organ advocate, he became the perfect foil for Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane's blossoming songwriting partnership.
Mod icons, the group turned psychedelic with their feted full length 'Ogden's Nut Gone Flake' before internal strife caused Marriott to walk out on the band in 1969.
Deciding to re-group, the band nabbed Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood and opted to continue as The Faces. With their knockabout charm and raucous R&B riffs, the group swiftly found success with Ian McLagan playing a central role.
Splintering in 1975, Mac – as he was known – went on to become a sought after session musician, playing in the live line up of The Rolling Stones, amongst many others.
Re-locating to Texas, the keyboard player embarked on a wide variety of musical activities including solo recordings and a lengthy stint alongside Billy Bragg & The Blokes.
Suffering a stroke earlier this week, NPR reports that Ian McLagan died last night in Austin, Texas. Small Faces / Faces band mate Kenney Jones commented: "I am completely devastated by this shocking news and I know this goes for Ronnie and Rod also."
Clash spoke to Ian McLagan earlier this year – check out that interview HERE.
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