The Small Faces Reach No.1 with ‘All or Nothing’

On This Day in Music History 15 September 1966

On this day in music history, The Small Faces reached No.1 on the UK Singles Chart with ‘All or Nothing’, giving the London band their only UK No.1 single.

Fronted by the charismatic and hugely talented Steve Marriott, The Small Faces had become one of the defining bands of the British Mod movement. Their distinctive blend of rock, rhythm and blues, soul and pop perfectly captured the energy of 1960s London, and ‘All or Nothing’ remains one of their most celebrated recordings.

The story behind ‘All or Nothing’

Behind the powerful song was a story of heartbreak, although there are different accounts of exactly who inspired it.

According to Kay Marriott, Steve Marriott's mother, Steve wrote ‘All or Nothing’ about the breakdown of his relationship with his former fiancée Sue Oliver.

However, Steve Marriott's first wife, Jenny Rylance, gave another version of the story. She said that Marriott told her he had written the song for her following her split from Rod Stewart.

Whichever version is correct, there is little doubt that Marriott transformed personal emotion into a memorable piece of British rock history.

The song's success helped cement The Small Faces' reputation as one of the most important bands of the 1960s. Alongside Marriott, the classic Small Faces line up featured Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones and Jimmy Winston, later replaced by Ian McLagan.

The Small Faces and Swinging London

The Small Faces were deeply connected with the world of Mod culture and Swinging London. Their music, fashion and attitude reflected a rapidly changing London where young musicians, artists and fans were transforming the capital into one of the world's great centres of popular culture.

The band's story sits alongside some of the biggest names in British music history – from The Who and The Rolling Stones to The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and Led Zeppelin.

London's West End, Soho and Carnaby Street were at the centre of this musical revolution, with clubs, pubs, recording studios, fashion boutiques and music shops providing the backdrop to some extraordinary stories.

Discover London's Rock & Roll History

This is exactly the history I love bringing to life on my Magical Music Tours Rock & Roll Walking Tour of London.

Join me as we explore the streets of Soho, Carnaby Street and London's West End, discovering the legendary venues, recording studios, music shops, plaques and hidden locations connected to the artists who changed music forever.

From the Small Faces and the Mod scene to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Jimi Hendrix, Oasis and more, my Rock & Roll Tour is packed with stories, music history, fascinating locations and plenty of surprises along the way.

🎸 Come and join me on my Rock & Roll Walking Tour and discover the real stories behind London's musical history.

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And that’s how music makes history  🎶

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