Affectionately referred to as “Plonk” by his bandmates for reasons not appropriate to discuss on this forum, the late great Ronnie Lane’s career, which spanned from 1965 until his passing in 1997, was an amazing journey which traversed pop, folk, rhythm and blues, soul and permutations thereof.

Though he is more renowned for his songwriting with Steve Marriott and the Small Faces, and later with The Faces (“Glad and Sorry,” “Debris,” “Stone”) Mr. Lane was a remarkably fluid bassist who served as a pocket player and melodic foil – often within the same composition.

Ronnie on fretless on “Debris” https://youtu.be/cbTDVTwPNZw

Slim Chance “How Come” https://youtu.be/z4U2Fcz_iKw

Small Faces: “Tin Soldier” with PP Arnold: https://youtu.be/6vWTtx_PxPo

Ronnie’s solo career leading Slim Chance was a groundbreaking meld of traditional English folk and rock which inspired generations on both sides of the Atlantic.  

Lane’s collaborative album with Pete Townshend Rough Mix (1977) was among the most overlooked gems of the 1970s. 

When he was stricken with multiple sclerosis in 1983 – Mr. Lane assembled the historic Ronnie Lane Appeal for ARMS (Action into Research for Multiple Sclerosis) Charity Concerts in the UK and US which featured his mates Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood, Andy Fairweather-Low, Paul Rodgers, Joe Cocker, Ray Cooper, Chris Stainton, Bill Wyman, Kenny Jones, and Charlie Watts among others.

Though diminutive in physical stature, Mr. Lane was a giant of classic rock – and kept gigging to the very end despite his debilitating disease.