They are the band responsible for a large part of the soundtrack of the Mod era and enjoyed a rollercoaster ride through the perils of the music world.
Now the story of The Small Faces is being immortalised in a new musical which proved a hit in London and comes to the Gala Theatre next week as part of its UK tour.
The Small Faces packed a musical punch helping to give a generation of young people a voice and helped define a whole genre of music and fashion, shaping Mod culture.
Their big hits included What’cha Gonna Do About It, Itchycoo Park, Tin Soldier and All Or Nothing – the latter of which is the title of the musical which aims to tell the story of four ordinary working-class East End lads who became a pop phenomenon.
The production is written and co-produced by actress Carol Harrison, who is best known for her role as Louise Raymond in Eastenders and Gloria in Brushstrokes and who had known The Small Faces lead singer the late Steve Marriott from the age of eight.
“My aunt lived two streets away from his mum, my cousin knew him and another cousin was in a band with him. He came round to our house when I was eight years old and he was just this amazing bundle of effervescence and talent. I had a bit of a crush on him,” she said.
“I loved the music, I loved their humour and they were Mod just like me. I became friends with Kenney Jones from the band and I am very close to Mollie, Steve’s daughter.
“I also learned about their amazing rock n roll story and I thought it was an amazing tale. I think they are the most unsung, underrated band of the sixties.”
Carol, who also stars in the show as Steve’s mum Kay, managed to get former The Bill actors Simon Rouse and Chris Simmons on board for the production, which received nightly standing ovations during its time in London.
Chris, who played big-hearted CID officer Mickey Webb, said he saw the script and decided he had to be involved.
“I read it and said to my agent, ‘I have got to have this part.’ I fell in love with the way it was written, the narration, and I knew about Steve Marriott. It really is a wonderful, fantastic, edgy, funny, dark, emotional piece and Carol’s writing is very funny,” he said.
Chris was also conscious that he was playing a real person and Steve’s daughter Mollie was involved as a vocal coach.
“What is nice is that word got back to me in the interval at an early show that Mollie was watching and she thought I reminded her of her dad and had captured his essence,” he said.
“I did a lot of reading and watched his interviews and performances but, in the end, you do the best you can. You just hold your breath and leap, so for Mollie to say that without having met her, it was great.”
The show got its premiere in the Mod pilgrimage spot of Brighton beach followed by a long run in The Vaults underneath London’s Waterloo Station and is now coming to Durham as part of a UK tour.
Carol said: “I just want people to come and experience it, and be a part of the show. Everyone gets a great feeling.
“The over-40s get the chance to grow old disgracefully and the youngsters just love the music.”
All or Nothing: The Mod Musical begins at 7:30pm on Monday, 25 and Tuesday, 26 September, with tickets costing £22 and £20 for concessions.
To buy tickets call the box office on 03000 266 600 or visit www.galadurham.co.uk
