KENNEY JONES

'Kenney Jones' (born Kenneth Thomas Jones, 16 September 1948, Stepney, East London) is a veteran English rock drummer best known for his work in Small Faces, Faces, and The Who.^[1]

Contents

Biography

Small Faces

Faces

The Who

Later work

Other work

References

External links

Biography

Small Faces

Kenney Jones was one of the founding members of the renowned English pop-rock-R&B/mod band Small Faces. From 1965 to 1969 Small Faces were at the heart of the mod revolution of the 1960's. Their hits included "All or Nothing", "Sha-La-La-La-Lee", "Itchycoo Park" and "Tin Soldier". Small Faces have been cited as a major influence on musicians for the past 35 years, including Paul Weller formerly of The Style Council and the The Jam also Noel Gallagher of Oasis.^[2]
In 1968 Small Faces produced what is generally recognised as one of the all-time greatest albums ''Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake'' and is still in the top 100 UK albums today.^[3]

Faces

After the departure of lead singer/guitarist Steve Marriott in 1969, the group recruited singer Rod Stewart and guitarist Ron Wood to replace Marriott, both were formerly from the Jeff Beck Group. Their label, Warner Brothers, demanded they keep the name "Small Faces" for name recognition, but they quickly shortened it to "Faces". Jones remained with the band until its dissolution in 1976, recording a total of five albums with them. ^[4]

The Who

From 1979 to 1982, Jones was the drummer for The Who, replacing original drummer Keith Moon, who had died from an overdose of a medication used to combat his alcoholism. Jones recorded two albums as the drummer for the Who, ''Face Dances'' and ''It's Hard'', before the band officially disbanded following the tour supporting the latter album. ^[5]
However, The Who (with Jones) reunited in 1985 to perform at Live Aid and again in 1988 when they were recognized by the British Phonographic Industry. This was Jones' last performance with the group.

Later work

Jones formed partnerships with former Free and Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers in the early 1990s, forming a band called The Law.
Jones has also performed on many recording sessions, including appearances on albums by the Rolling Stones, Andy Fairweather Low, Joan Armatrading, Marsha Hunt, Mike Batt, Pete Townshend, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, David Essex, John Lodge, and Wings.
In 2001, Jones formed a new band; over several months, the line-up solidified to include Rick Wills (Peter Frampton, Foreigner, Small Faces, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, David Gilmour), and Robert Hart (Bad Company). In 2005, The Jones Gang released their debut album, ''Any Day Now''.

Other work

Outside of music, Jones is a passionate fan of polo, has become an accomplished polo player and is the owner of Hurtwood Park Polo Club, in Ewhurst, Surrey.^[6]
On behalf of Small Faces and in memory of his late colleagues Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane, Jones established a children's charity, the ''Small Faces Charitable Trust'', in 1999. ^[7]
Jones is a supporter of the Conservative Party, and recorded a song called "Mr Brown", criticising the tax policies of Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown.
^[8]
The Jones Gang are set to do a large UK tour in 2007.

References

1. BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE: Kenney Jones, born Stepney, East London + band history [1]
2. BBC: The Small Faces, influence on Britpop - Paul Weller, and Noel Gallagher [2]
3. THE GUARDIAN ONLINE: ''Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake'' Small Faces Top 100 British Albums of all time. [3]
4. WIKIPEDIA: Faces: Rod Stewart, Ron Wood join Small Faces' members Lane, Kenney and McLagan to replace ''Steve Marriott'' to become known as Faces, [4]
5. BBC NEWS: Jones, replaced Keith Moon in The Who (1982) [5]
6. TIMES ONLINE: Jones, owner of Hurtwood Park Polo Club, Surrey. England. [6]
7. SMALL FACES CHARITABLE TRUST: Jones sets up ''Small Faces'' childrens charity in memory of former ''Small Faces'' colleagues Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane. [7]
8. BBC NEWS: Jones, supporter of The Conservative Party - records song criticising Gordon Brown. [8]

External links

★ You Tube: "All Or Nothing" - The Small Faces U.K. No. 1 single

★ You Tube: "Angel" - The Jones Gang - Billboard No. 1 Single

★ Small Faces - Room For Ravers (unofficial Small Faces Site)

★ Small Faces - Wapping Wharf

★ The Faces Official Site

★ - ''Small Faces'' Charitable Trust

★ - Hurtwood Park Polo Club

★ - The Who Discussion Forum

★ - The Who Location Guide - Guide to historical Who locations in the UK and US.

★ - BBC News - Kenney Jones interview - May 2003.