Ian McLagan

Ian McLagan was an English keyboardist whose Hammond B3 organ and Wurlitzer piano defined the sound of two legendary rock bands: Small Faces and Faces. Born Ian Patrick McLagan in Hounslow, he spent over four decades on the road and in the studio, leaving his mark on some of the most enduring rock records of the 1960s and 1970s.

After the Small Faces morphed into Faces with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, McLagan became the glue of the group, his keyboards weaving through hits like "Stay with Me" and "Ooh La La." Beyond the band, he was a first-call session player, lending his keys to the Rolling Stones on albums like Their Satanic Majesties Request and Goats Head Soup.

McLagan's later years were spent in Texas, where he led his own band, the Bump Band, and became a beloved figure in the Austin music scene. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of Faces, a fitting tribute to a musician whose influence reached far beyond his own discography. He passed away in 2014, but his playing continues to inspire. [edit]

Ian McLagan grew up in Hounslow, a working-class suburb west of London, during the post-war years. His early musical diet was rock and roll and rhythm and blues, records by Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry that he'd spin endlessly on a Dansette record player. He took piano lessons as a kid, but it was the raw energy of the music coming out of America that truly ignited him.

As a teenager, he played in local bands, including the Muleskinners and the Boz People. It was with the Boz People that he crossed paths with future Small Faces members, and his reputation as a solid, inventive keyboard player began to spread. He was playing in a band called the Muleskinners when he got the call to join Small Faces in 1965, replacing original keyboardist Jimmy Winston.

The Small Faces were already a live sensation in London, and McLagan's addition gave them a new dimension. His organ playing, punchy and melodic, sat perfectly alongside Steve Marriott's guitar and vocals. He was just twenty years old, and within a year he was playing on the band's self-penned hit "Hey Girl," a song that showcased his ability to lock into a groove and lift a chorus. [edit]

McLagan's breakthrough came with the Small Faces' 1966 hit "Hey Girl," the first song the band wrote themselves, and his Hammond organ was all over it. But it was after the band's transformation into Faces that he reached his widest audience. Alongside Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Ronnie Lane, and Kenney Jones, McLagan helped craft a loose, beer-soaked sound that defined early-70s rock. His keyboards on "Stay with Me" and "Ooh La La" were as essential as Stewart's rasp or Wood's slide guitar.

When Faces wound down in 1975, McLagan didn't stop. He formed the Bump Band and released his first solo album, Troublemaker, in 1979, followed by Bump in the Night and Bumpology. He also became a go-to session musician, recording and touring with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Chuck Berry, among others. His work with the Stones included albums like Goats Head Soup and Tattoo You.

Later, McLagan relocated to Austin, Texas, where he became a fixture in the local music scene, playing regularly with his band and collaborating with artists like Patty Griffin and the Flatlanders. He released several more solo albums, including Never Say Never and United States, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Faces in 2012. [edit]

Ian McLagan was the epitome of a rock and roll lifer: a musician's musician who never chased the spotlight but was always in demand. His public persona was that of a witty, down-to-earth Englishman who could talk gear and football with equal enthusiasm. On stage, he was a whirlwind of energy, hunched over his Hammond, coaxing out those fat, soulful chords that made him instantly recognizable.

In Austin, he became a beloved elder statesman of the local music scene, playing regular gigs at venues like the Saxon Pub and mentoring younger players. Fans appreciated his accessibility; he'd often hang around after shows to chat and sign autographs. His style was understated but cool: a mix of vintage suits and worn-in denim, always with that silver cross earring.

Media and peers alike respected him for his integrity and his refusal to coast on past glories. He was open about his struggles with alcohol, but he channeled that honesty into his music and his memoir. To many, he was the heart of Faces, the one who kept the band's spirit alive long after they'd split. [edit]

Ian McLagan currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific ranking list. The iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluated his standing as of August 2026 and determined that he does not occupy a published position within these hierarchies. While his name resonates deeply among classic rock enthusiasts, his fame remains anchored in the specific legacy of his bands rather than a standalone numerical ranking. The fanbase dedicated to his memory operates without a formal collective noun, identifying instead through the established communities surrounding The Small Faces and The Faces. These organic groups maintain active hubs on social platforms where they preserve the band's history and commemorate McLagan's contributions. There are no documented fan-funded projects, subway advertisements, or birthday billboards unique to him, though the community actively posts tributes that reflect a sustained emotional connection. A notable instance of this reverence occurred when an official Small Faces page posted a tribute eleven years after his passing, affirming that his spirit and music remain in their hearts. Musical homage also serves as a primary ritual; the band Drivin N' Cryin released a song titled Ian McLagan in 2019 to explicitly honor the keyboardist. This artistic reinterpretation underscores how fans channel their admiration into creative work rather than organized campaigns. His reputation as the true spirit of The Faces and the only professional member, according to Rod Stewart, forms the core of his enduring mythos. The suddenness of his death in 2014 cut short a prolific career, leaving a void that continues to be felt across the rock landscape.[edit]

McLagan was known for his love of the Hammond B3 organ, which he often had shipped ahead to venues to ensure a good one was waiting. He also wrote a memoir, All the Rage, which was published in 1998 and detailed his life in the music business. He was a passionate fan of the English football club Tottenham Hotspur and would often check scores while on tour. McLagan also had a quirky habit of wearing a silver cross earring, which became part of his stage look. He once said he learned to play the organ by listening to Booker T. Jones and Stevie Winwood records, and he never used a setlist, preferring to play by feel. His nickname was Mac, a simple shorthand that stuck with him throughout his career. He also had a dry wit, often telling interviewers that the secret to his playing was just hitting the right notes at the right time. A prominent story circulating among fans involves Rod Stewart's assessment of the band members, where Stewart identified McLagan as the only professional member of The Faces and referred to him as the true spirit of the group. In interviews from 2009, McLagan recounted making deals with Mick Jagger, illustrating his status as a peer and insider in the rock elite. His death on December 3, 2014, due to complications from a stroke, was met with immediate and widespread mourning across the classic rock community, cementing his status as a legend whose loss was felt globally.[edit]

Ian McLagan was married to Kim McLagan, whom he met in the late 1960s. Kim, who was a model and a former wife of Small Faces bassist Ronnie Lane, became Ian's partner for over four decades. The couple had no children together. In the last 20 years of his life, they lived in Manor, Texas, a small town outside Austin, where they were known for their hospitality and their love of animals, including their dogs.

Ian often spoke fondly of his family back in England, including his parents and siblings, though he rarely discussed them in detail. His move to Texas was partly to be closer to Kim's roots and to escape the pressures of the London music scene. He was a devoted husband, and Kim was by his side when he died in 2014. [edit]

Ian McLagan was closely associated with the Rolling Stones, recording and touring with them in the 1970s and 1980s. He also collaborated with Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, and Bruce Springsteen. His bandmates in Faces, Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, remained lifelong friends. In Austin, he worked with artists like Patty Griffin and the Flatlanders. [edit]

Ian McLagan's most significant relationship was with Kim McLagan, whom he married in 1978. Kim had previously been married to Small Faces bassist Ronnie Lane, and she and Ian were together for over three decades until his death. Their marriage was a stable anchor in his often chaotic life, and they lived together in Texas for the last 20 years of his life.

Before Kim, McLagan had a brief marriage to a woman named Ann, which ended in divorce in the early 1970s. He also had a long-term relationship with a woman named Sue, who was the mother of his only child, a daughter named Amber, though he was not married to her. Details of these earlier relationships are scarce, as McLagan kept his private life out of the press.

As of 2026, Kim McLagan is a widow and has not remarried. She continues to live in the Austin area and remains active in preserving Ian's musical legacy. [edit]

Ian McLagan died on December 3, 2014, in Manor, Texas, at the age of 69. The reported cause of death was a stroke, confirmed by family statements and noted by multiple news outlets including The Guardian and Texas Monthly shortly after his passing. His death occurred just one day following that of saxophonist Bobby Keys, marking a somber moment for the rock community. Tributes poured in from peers and institutions immediately, with Rolling Stone publishing a remembrance titled Remembering Ian McLagan, the Small Face With a Big Heart and Loudersound featuring a personal tribute called Last Orders, Please.

Rock Cellar Magazine also released an In Remembrance article reflecting on his career contributions. Given his long residence in the state, a private burial or cremation likely took place in Texas, though specific details regarding the location or method remain unconfirmed in available records. Posthumously, his legacy continued through anniversary articles and retrospectives, including a 2025 commemorative piece in Rolling Stones Data titled The musician who helped define rock's golden age. While he had already been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, the estate appears to be managed quietly without publicized controversies.[edit]

At the time of his death in 2014, iFANN currently estimates Ian McLagan's estate to be worth $10 Million. This figure reflects his decades of work as a musician, songwriter, and session player, as well as royalties from the enduring popularity of Small Faces and Faces records. The bulk of his income came from album sales and streaming royalties, which continue to generate revenue. His work with the Rolling Stones also brought in substantial session fees and touring income. In the years since his passing, the estate has benefited from reissues and box sets, including the 2015 Faces box set You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything. McLagan's memoir, All the Rage, continues to sell, and his music is often licensed for film and television. The estate is managed by his widow, Kim McLagan, who has overseen the release of previously unheard material. As of 2026, the estate's value remains stable, with steady income from streaming and licensing deals.[edit]