London Rock’ is a fascinating documentary that until only a few years ago was presumed wiped or missing. However, we can reveal that the hour long film exists and is due to be broadcast for the first time in 40 years this weekend on Sky Arts 1! The promotional blurb states:
“Many of the new sounds of the 70’s looked to the past for inspiration. Kenny Jones admits the Faces focused a lot on “where we grew up and used to play on bombs,” others looked even further back, drawing inspiration from mythology, legend and traditional songs.
Following artists including T-Rex, the Faces, Fairport Convention and Matthew’s Southern Comfort, London Rock examines the personal nature of putting down a track. Charting a musical journey from the dawn solstice ceremony at Stonehenge, through lazy afternoons writing lyrics in the open air, to city life in Portobello Road, and the spirit of a sleepless music festival in Bath, it provides an insight into the new sounds that emerged in the Seventies, while examining the philosophy of its young musicians and their early thoughts on music and stardom.”
Smiler has had an exclusive preview of the film and can exclusively reveal that it features a 9-minute portrait of the Faces which includes interviews with all the members. Highlights include:
– Rod accompanied by Ian McLagan on acoustic guitar (and a dog) sitting in a field singing ‘Nobody Knows’ from the ‘First Step’ album. The voice is simply incredible!
– The two Ronnie’s rehearsing a track called ‘The Moaning’ in which Woody shows off his slide guitar talents.
– Kenney Jones being interviewed and visiting his parent home in Stepney and driving past his old school.
– Rod driving his Silver Marcus sports car.
– Woody and Plonk with their girlfriends being interviewed on a day out by the River Thames.
– Ian McLagan with his wife and baby
The film will air this weekend on Sky Arts 1 at the following times:
Saturday 24 April
9pm
Sunday 25 April
3am, 9am, 12pm, 3:30pm
