If you don’t know Ian McLagan by now…seriously? It’s time for some musical education. This is about rock ‘n’ roll. This is about a major influence on many, many bands throughout the years, even to this day.
McLagan, known to friends and fans as Mac (except for your Austin Music Minute maven, who still stubbornly calls him “Ian”), immersed himself in London’s vibrant music scene in the mid-’60s with undoubtedly one of the quintessential British Invasion bands, Small Faces, and catapulted even further with Faces when Rod Stewart and Ron Wood stepped into the fold.
McLagan ruled the airwaves with hit after hit from both bands and his solo albums. His list of songwriting credits and collaborations is tied to some of the biggest names in the business: The Rolling Stones, Dylan, Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Patti Griffin…it goes on and on.
These days, we in the Live Music Capital are very fortunate to have the opportunity to see McLagan perform on a fairly regular basis, thanks to his widely-attended early evening gigs with The Bump Band at The Lucky Lounge. And now fans are getting a little something extra: McLagan and his band are releasing a new CD, Live at The Lucky Lounge, highlighting a collection of their performances in April. They’re celebrating with a special CD release show tonight at the Lounge (natch!), 209 W. 5th St. The music starts early at 6 p.m.
If you’ve never been to these shows, you’re in for a treat. Check it out, and bask in all the rock ‘n’ roll glory. And if your humble AMM hostess might make an additional recommendation, snag a copy of McLagan’s enthralling and wickedly good book, All the Rage, for a more in-depth look at his career. Recommended.
