Author: Jim Melly
Year: 2003
ISBN: 009188618X
Price: £12.00
Ebury Press, UK
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From
seventies punk rockers the Clash, the Sex Pistols and the Undertones,
to eighties popsters Duran Duran and Wet Wet Wet, through to Supergrass,
Oasis and the Stereophonics, the Faces have had as much influence
on rock music as anyone. ‘Last Orders, Please’ is the
first biography of the band who have acquired legendary status in
the annuals of rock ‘n’ roll history. Incredibly the
author was just 3 years old when the Faces formed out of the ashes
of the Small Faces. He would have been 5 when ‘Maggie May’
topped the charts and just 9 years old when Rod deserted the band
for Britt, Los Angeles and tabloid fame. And for that reason alone,
Melly should be admired for his efforts and his taste.
The only problem
with the book is that it tends to dwell too much over pre-Faces
activities, giving unnecessary coverage to the Small Faces (whose
story has already been well documented in numerous books.) Melly
also over does it a bit with the social history. The book could
have benefited from more original quotes, the only ones used coming
from fans with those from the band and Rod courtesy of previous
sources.
However, Melly
paints a vivid picture of the era that shaped the lives of everyone
at the time and highlights fairly accurately the true impact of
the Faces’ music and, in doing so, provides a welcome glimpse
of a magical time.
Martin Burgin
Smiler rating: B
Reader rating:
 (22 votes)
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