The keyboardist who defined the sound of British rock and became a session legend.
In short: Ian McLagan was the engine behind the Small Faces and the Faces, but his influence extended far beyond those bands. From the Rolling Stones to Bob Dylan, McLagan became an essential, in-demand sideman whose Hammond organ and Wurlitzer piano defined the texture of rock music for over four decades.
Born in 1945 in Hounslow, West London, Ian McLagan began his musical journey at age seven after his mother bought an upright piano. By the early 1960s, he was navigating the professional circuit, eventually joining the Small Faces in 1965 for a weekly salary of £30. His tenure with the group, which later evolved into the Faces alongside Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, established his reputation as a versatile keyboardist adept at the Hammond organ and Wurlitzer electric piano.
Following the dissolution of the Faces in 1975, McLagan transitioned into a prolific career as a session musician and sideman. His resume reads like a history of rock, including collaborations with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Joe Cocker to Bruce Springsteen and Lucinda Williams. He was not merely a hired hand; he was a creative collaborator who contributed to the Rolling Stones' Some Girls and toured with Bob Dylan in 1984. In 2012, his contributions were formally recognized with his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Beyond his session work, McLagan was a dedicated bandleader, fronting his own Bump Band from 1977 until his death in 2014. After relocating to Austin, Texas, he became a fixture of the local music scene, performing at clubs and festivals. He also authored an autobiography, All the Rage, which chronicled his experiences within the industry. McLagan died at age 69 following a stroke, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most respected and reliable keyboardists in the history of rock and roll.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Ian McLagan
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