Ronnie Lane

Ronnie Lane
Lane, seated, with the Small Faces in 1968
Lane, seated, with the Small Faces in 1968
Background information
Birth nameRonald Frederick Lane
Also known as
  • Plonk
  • Three-Piece
Born(1946-04-01)1 April 1946
Plaistow, London, England
Died4 June 1997(1997-06-04) (aged 51)
Trinidad, Colorado, US
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Bass
  • vocals
  • guitar
Years active1964–1992
Labels
Formerly ofSmall Faces, Faces

Ronald Frederick Lane (1 April 1946 – 4 June 1997)[1] was an English musician and songwriter who was the bassist and co-founder of the rock bands Small Faces (1965–69) and Faces (1969–73).

Lane formed Small Faces in 1965 after meeting Steve Marriott, with whom he subsequently wrote many of their hit singles including "All or Nothing", "Itchycoo Park" and "Lazy Sunday". After Marriott left Small Faces in 1968, band members Lane, Ian McLagan and Kenny Jones were joined by Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood to form Faces. Like Small Faces, the band achieved critical and commercial success. Lane quit the Faces in 1973 and subsequently collaborated with other musicians, leading his own bands and pursuing a solo career. In 1977, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He was supported by charity projects and financial contributions from friends, former bandmates and fans. After living with the disease for 21 years, he died in June 1997, aged 51.[1]

For his work in both Small Faces and Faces, Lane was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

He had two children, and two stepchildren who took his name.

  1. ^ a b "Faces' Ronnie Lane Dead at 51". Rolling Stone magazine. 5 June 1997. Retrieved 24 December 2010.