Let the Good Times Roll: My Life in Small Faces, Faces, and the Who

Jones, the drummer for the Who after Keith Moon died, recalls his musical life in this modest and self-effacing rock and roll memoir. Born into a working-class family in London’s East End, Jones wasn’t much for school (“Everyone around me was a rogue”) and at 13 became obsessed with drums. Three years later, in 1965, he was gigging around England with Ronnie Lane, Steve Marriott, and Jimmy Winston­, who called themselves the Small Faces. Jones writes with most care about this period, when it was just “four young blokes footloose and carefree... taking on the world,” playing rock and roll, and gathering a following of “mainly screaming girls.” By 1970, the band had morphed into the Faces, with up-and-coming singer Rod Stewart (“Not only had we lucked out with a fabulous singer who had a powerful voice... he was also a great mate”). Jones had also become friends with the Who’s Moon, accompanying him on some of his legendary drunken outings. After Moon died in 1978 of a drug overdose, Jones joined the Who, but other than an argument with Roger Daltrey over payment, there is surprisingly little of note in Jones’s recollection of playing for years with the band. Readers will enjoy Jones’s journey, told in a companionable, humble voice. (Sept.)