Billboard requires a JavaScript enabled browser to get the full experience

Simply Rod? Faces May Tap Mick Hucknall For Stewart-less Tour

by Gary Graff, Detroit  |   November 17, 2009 10:51 EST
Getty
Rod Stewart

The Faces appear ready to play live in 2010, with or without Rod Stewart.

After performing with guests at an Oct. 25 show at London's Royal Albert Hall for the British Performing Rights Society's Music Members' Benevolent Fund, the Faces' other three surviving members -- guitarist Ron Wood, keyboardist Ian McLagan and drummer Kenney Jones -- are "seriously talking about touring" in the spring, McLagan tells Billboard.com.

"If we don't do it very soon, one of us is gonna check out," McLagan says. "I'm 64, for chrissakes! We've been waiting and waiting for Rod to say yes; now he's finally said no. He's busy doing other shit. So we're gonna do it."

Stewart is planning to promote his latest album, "Soulbook," with his own touring in 2010. McLagan notes that "it would be much better to have (Stewart) with us" but says that he's "open either way. I just want to play."

The London charity show, at which former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman filled in for the late Ronnie Lane and guest vocalists included Simply Red's Mick Hucknall, Paul Carrack and Andy Fairweather-Low, provided a model for the kind of show the Faces could do. "I think it's more exciting, actually, with different singers, different bass players, maybe some other guests, another guitarist or whatever," McLagan says. "(Saxophonist) Bobby Keys would probably sit in. It's more adventurous. It won't be the same old shit."

Wyman, who does not like to fly, is highly unlikely to be part of the tour. McLagan says his first choice on bass would be original Sex Pistols member Glenn Matlock, who the keyboardist says "started playing bass because of Ronnie Lane. He knows all his licks and really appreciates him as a bass player." As for Wood's idea earlier in the year of using the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea -- who subsequently denied being part of a Faces reunion -- McLagan says that, "I like Flea. I don't necessarily think he's a good replacement for Ronnie, but if he wants to do it we should talk about it."

McLagan says he, Wood and Jones are also likely to ask Hucknall if he wants to be part of the project but expects to approach other singers as well. "There's plenty of things for people to sing in the set," he notes. "There's plenty of bass players. I think we can go in several different directions at once. The world's our oyster here; it will still be Ronnie, Kenney and me. We're just steaming right ahead."

Up for Discussion

Connect with

More Features

All features

All of Billboard.com's Great Lists

Billboard chart app

Billboard archives

Thanks For Joining Billboard

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Why Join ?

Don't just hear it. Live it. Go deeper than a casual listen: Voice your feelings, build a profile around your favorite music, connect with people who share your passions and discover new ones. Sign up for free.

Complete Your Registration at Billboard.com!

Haven't Joined Yet ?

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Join Billboard

Forgot your password?

Enter the e-mail address you used to sign up and we will email you the password .

Email Sent !

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log In

Forget your password ?

Action Successful

We'd love to hear your feedback on the new Billboard.com!

Whether it's a feature request or a bug

We want to hear from you. Please use this form to anonymously give us your input.