Kenney Jones (The Faces/The Who) - Interview with Spike [PART ONE]

The first in our two part interview with The Faces, Small Faces and The Who's Kenney Jones - we visited him at his home last month and chatted to him about his time with bands, his views on drumming and how he became the drummer he is today!
PART TWO: • Kenney Jones (The Face...
SAM KELLY: • Sam Kelly (Session Dru...
REINTRODUCTION: • Spike Reintroduces Mad...
ORIGINAL INTRO: • Spike Webb introduces ...
MORE VIDEOS: • MBD: The Drummers' Tales
SUBSCRIBE: kzbin.info_widg...
Don't forget that Spike's book 'Mad, Bad and Dangerous - The Book of Drummers' Tales' is in stores now, and can be purchased from online retailers as either a paperback or for kindle. It includes stories from over 40 famous drummers including Topper Headon (The Clash), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Nigel Glocklier (Saxon), Rick Buckler (The Jam) and many more!
VIDEO CREDITS
Director/Editor: George Day
Producers: George Day / Spike Webb
Associate Producer: Jerome Marcus
Special Thanks: Neil Armstrong
Produced by DMLK Video
www.dmlk.co.uk
MUSIC
Breakdown - Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@michaelr4063]

If Kenney never played with The Who, he's still a British rock legend. Small Faces.

[@twinkle3026]

Kenny, has aged wonderfully well! Like a fine wine! xxxx

[@tremoloreverb]

Kenny is pure, this interview is pure. This is one of the most honest interviews ever. Kenny Jones has seen all of fame, yet keeps focused, honest and one can see, this dude has seen it all, yet he stays a bit humble. He's the real deal.

[@spikewebb8783]

Thank you - glad you enjoyed it!

[@colinturner4158]

Brilliant drummer and comes across as a really nice guy

[@chriscoleman6358]

Kenny you're one of the most humblest man in rock and roll many blessings to you

[@nonmember8725]

It's either most humble, or humblest...... but not most humblest.

[@petermills542]

@@nonmember8725 The 'double superlative' is one of my pet hates! So many people do this nowadays. Aaagh !! 😂

[@nonmember8725]

@@petermills542 I hear you!! My wife and I do it as a joke. 🙃

[@johntosh0061]

Top man Jonesy. And a survivor too. He's taken good care of himself.

[@deletebilderberg]

Spent twenty minutes with Kenney in the 90s as he waited ever so patiently for another TV interview. Totally in awe of this absolute legend. So, so friendly and nice.

[@GuitarDad5000]

It really does not matter if he was the perfect stand in for Keith, although I thought he was outstanding. Truly, who could be a stand in for KM? We will never see another Keith who deserves his due as a transformational innovative drummer who probably never saw it that way, he was just being himself God bless. Kenney is a great original musician of his own who stepped in at the invitation of The Who and did a fantastic job when they needed a good drummer and friend they could trust, and that is what they got. It's a great story about a great band and great musicians who, best I can tell, were a great group of brilliantly talented blokes at the right place and time in rock history. I've watched a few clips of KJ and he seems a gentleman rock drummer of the highest order. Wish him and his generation of peers the best, and thank you for great music and memories.

[@plasticweapon]

amen!

[@johndaugherty4127]

Amen.

[@earthshinerush3842]

Kenney’s a legend.

[@GuyWithNoName67]

It just dawned on me. This guy played with not one, but all three of my favorite vocalists.

[@colinmartin2921]

If you add Paul Rodgers that makes four!

[@pdbordelon]

Probably my favorite drummer of all time!

[@mygirlpiper]

He was the right man at the right time for THE WHO, he did not try to pretend to be Keith moon in anyway he was his own man and it showed " class act". He received unfair criticism, but he was the right drummer for THE WHO "82" tour, I thank him.

[@christopherkemp897]

Lisa Moreno j

[@Robcatist]

Keith Moon couldn’t repeat himself half the time so no one else was gonna be able to do it.

[@mygirlpiper]

Patrick Catherall I'm glad you agree BECAUSE I think it would've been a tragic mistake if The Who tried to hire someone a Keith Moon 2.0 clone, it would not have worked because of the constant comparison - Keith Moon's style a " organized mess that played instinctually creative in the moment" No one could do that job AND the hiring of Kenny is the polar opposite - Kenny was a timekeeper that brought structure to The Who " and yes a different sounding WHO" BUT still held together the unique sound of The Who - Plus I loved the way they structured the songs on the "82" tour with Kenny, the songs were true to the original intent and sound of The Who "Live" - Kenny's drum rolls " were awesome and spot on" after Roger's scream from WGFA - " 1982" sound system was massive and Kenny did his job " powerful sound" Saw them in Philly on that tour And The Ground Is Still Rumbling. LOL.

[@sarasarah1810]

Lisa Moreno no he was not!!!....he was wrong for the who....and the who was wrong for him......

[@mygirlpiper]

sarah sarah Alright then, That's your opinion AND it doesn't change mine - Nothing ever stays the same WITH Keith Moon it was the ultimate WHO and with Kenny it was a different kinda WHO but they were still powerful in every way BUT DIFFERENT !!! - THE WHO rocked no matter what decade OR Lineup."

[@joyplant6275]

Kenny hasnt aged a bit love you ken

[@Dogdrum]

Great interview. For all that he's seen and experienced, he's a man firmly balanced in his outlook and attitude. Great role model.

[@FredHerrman]

His work on “Face Dances” and on lt’s Hard” was absolutely expert. Listen to how crisp his playing is on the Face Dances tune, “Daily Records.” Just stellar.

[@andrewfurst5711]

Agreed. If there's anything holding back those albums, it's not the drumming. Actually "It's Hard" is quite underrated, and "Face Dances" has some good songs but also several weak ones, IMO. Not Kenney's fault though.

[@rickacton7540]

@@andrewfurst5711 "underrated"?

[@krickshorts5346]

Dam right!

[@paullevinsky2970]

Kenny Jones is one of my all time favorite drummers. Not because he has the best chops I've ever heard but because he just embodies rock drumming. His power, the interplay between his hands and feet, the amazing SOUND of his drums. Those old records explode with an energy and enthusiasm that borders on sloppy but is just amazingly funky! I've been playing for forty-five years and all my life I've tried to emulate that "intentional sloppiness". It's hard as hell. But I'll keep trying. Thank you Kenny!!

[@squirrels103]

The Small Faces, The Faces and then The Who.

[@jerryonspeed]

Excellent interview! What great and humble guy Kenny Jones is. Thanks for sharing this! Cheers, Jerry

[@spikewebb8783]

+jerryonspeed You're welcome Jerry - glad you enjoyed it!

[@raycali1946]

Amazing how Kenny looks. He has to be. 68- 70 at least. Looks like he is in his 50’s. Healthy. Great color. God bless him

[@brianfreeman8290]

I SO enjoyed that! Great to see KJ looking so well. I bumped into him at the Goodwood Revival about eight years ago. To shake his hand was a huge honour for me.

[@spikewebb8783]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@kimh5566]

Love the finale . . . "It really doesn't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing." And, he's got it. Amen to that!

[@spikewebb8783]

So very true!

[@brendamchugh6522]

such wonderfull times and music great drummer Steve Marriott much missed love him

[@melvynparkin5871]

Real nice guy Kenny thanks for posting ..

[@spikewebb8783]

+Melvyn Parkin You're welcome!

[@jamieragar6647]

Spike Webb so sweet

[@SCHP1068]

Face Dances is one of my favorite albums. I loved his drumming on every song of that album...

[@captainjay1034]

saw faces and the who at the fabulous forum in LA in the 60's believe me it was a magicial time to be young

[@spikewebb8783]

+Jimmy Flanagan Bet that was great - Hope you enjoyed the interview!

[@colinmartin2921]

A great drummer and a humble man who has achieved great things. Check out his autobiography it is great.

[@plasticweapon]

kenney, those two who albums and your eork on them mean more to me than i can say. thanks for being there.

[@kevhow2190]

"It's only Rock and Roll. But I like it." Kenny Jones

[@anorakthing8968]

I have spent most of the morning watching these! Cheers!

[@spikewebb8783]

+William Luther So glad you're enjoying them - thanks for posting!

[@lenpey]

Townsend is on record for preferring Ken to Moon, as a drummer and as a person.

[@riffdigger2133]

Love your series of videos. Drummers are the Hercules of any band. Signed- a bass player.

[@spikewebb8783]

Thanks - glad you like the videos - love the Hercules nod!

[@TipsyPods]

Great interview

[@helmutsecke3529]

I met und had a lovely chat with Ian McLagan not six weeks before he left us. Lovely bloke, absolutely top nice chap.

[@stewartnicol3028]

When Rod found Kenney, Ian and Ronnie every one of his Christmasses arrived at once! 😃

[@richardholt7824]

I heard earlier The Faces are set to reform, will have to wait and see how develops. Great interview again Spike.

[@spikewebb8783]

+Richard Holt Thanks Richard glad you enjoyed it - yeah let's hope they get to reform this time!

[@misterbracks]

great drummer, was listening to him playing today in the car on the way home..."flying" with Rod and the faces, check it out.. great drums, great control of where the tension should be.

[@petermills542]

Yes that 'Flying' track is superb !!

[@MANGOKELLY1]

Very good interview Guys. :)

[@notaclue822]

He sure looks good.

[@markteel7548]

long live steve

[@vanshipman]

The Faces are gonna tour with Rod?!??? When was this video filmed? It’s great stuff...I loved Kenney when he joined the WHO. I’m one of the few out there that loved the “Its Hard” album. I love the songs and think Kenney played outstanding stuff on it. One at a Time, Cooks County, and Cry If You Want especially. His drumming on The Quiet One from Face Dances was really great stuff. God bless you Kenney. 🙏

[@puckgold4956]

I have seen the Who a few times. I liked the 1982 tour with Kenney the best. We had 2nd row seats of front of Pete's amps.

[@teterouge1472]

Kenny Jones!.... Love you man

[@1Johnwright]

Loving all the nostalgia.......thanks Spike 'n' Kenney

[@SpectorTippy]

I love him in the video with John Lodge (Moody Blues) called: Street Cafe. He whistles in the video. He's the one holding the pink balloons.

[@deanstanley5799]

He once drummed with Status quo on top of the pops !

[@tomcarl8021]

There might be a recording of Pete Townshend with the Small Faces minus Steve Marriott. Townshend said it happened and he recorded it. It was recorded in 1968 or 1969 after Steve left. It was a jam session they did. It was at that session Pete played with Kenney for the first time and realized he loved playing with him.

[@johnclark3697]

I was at a gig at Bingley Hall Staffordshire I think? The Who , drummer sounded GREAT to me.

[@bennyjazzful]

WOW Wonderful interview of a fantastic musician. Love the interviewers wild haircut. From a 72yo Aussie fan.

[@spikewebb8783]

+John Benn Hey thanks glad you liked it - and the haircut - I get it done for 10 quid at a place called 'Headhunters'!

[@tungtang123]

Best drummer in the world. No question about it.

[@gordonthomson5599]

Brilliant

[@Kevin-1969]

Cool guy

[@stellafokas12]

For me, Simon Phillips style complimented The Who better. I saw him first time 30 years ago today, at the 89' Kids Are Alright Tour in Toronto, just incredible!

[@glengamble526]

Stella Fokas I thought he I over played like crazy, personally. To me, Zach Starkey has been the best replacement for Moon. And this is coming forma Kenny Jones fan.

[@tonym994]

saw Led Zeppelin at Boston Garden,and there was a digital clock on the facade of the balcony .Bonham on Moby Dick! when we started looking at the clock til' the end, he played a 20 minute solo. an animal ! September 10th ,1971 if memory serves .the last night of summer vacation. in school I was almost deaf the next day.

[@clintbahr]

I was there...great gig!!!

[@mckinleyrichard4395]

Filling in for Keith Moon is like filling in for Bon Scott, not possible, but f me if he didn’t rise to the occasion.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

Great drummer, I enjoyed his drumming the most with The Who. Not only could he play the important part of Keith Moons fills,but he's trimming of course is much better than Keith's. Listen to his drumming on Tricky Day, it's pure magic. Love the switch between the snare and the tom.

[@Tracey..H]

Cry if you want! Good drumming! Two great bands!! Love both bands.

[@tosinkingfishercheeseburge8901]

Kenny he is a really good drummer

[@larrybrown7273]

Kenny One Of The Greatest Rock Drummers Period That Tribute The Who Did To Keith Moon Back In Early Those Thunderous Drums Were Kenny's

[@TheAngeleena1]

FAB Interview Spike :)

[@QuicksilverSG]

Go back and listen to Ogden's Nut Gone Flake and you will hear one of the most iconic drum kits in all of rock and roll.

[@tonykerr865]

The small faces best band ever

[@stevenbroadbent516]

Comes across as a genuine nice bloke,

[@Augmuse]

Kenny Jones still drumming and he still sounds good to me.I would love to see the Faces with Rod Stewart on vocals. Kenny Jones (drummer Small Faces/Faces) said in an interview it looks like they may tour with Rod Stewart on vocals in 2014. We shall see if it occurs especially as Rod no longer seems to rock out like the Faces anymore. The Small Faces with the late Steve Marriott were so good. Ogdens Nut Gone Flake still sounds good to me. I thought it would be hard to follow Steve Marriott but Rod while different meshed pretty well.

[@AngusRockford]

God damn, I miss bands like the Faces, and the Small Faces even moreso.

[@int53185]

Kenney: speak softly but carry two big sticks.

[@OlafProt]

His biography is a great read. Its shame so much of his career focus from the media is The Who... ffs he was in the The Small Faces / The Faces!! Three truly great bands... Just watched an interview about 4 years later and Kenney has really aged....

[@billdowney6891]

Why isn't Kenny touring with The Who right now?

[@revelationsoundstudio]

I love Kennys straight forward rock drumming. I actually believe he got better as a drummer when he joined the Who. Yes no one can play like Keith who was a big part of the Who but their music got more modern and Kennys playing sounded great. You better you bet" I love the snare and tom switch between beat 2 and 4. Lot of solid playing and is just wonderful. The farewell tour of 1981 was just great as well.

[@spikewebb8783]

***** Agree yes he's a great solid player - one of my favourites!

[@galericulus9736]

+Keef Richards Dubious username to choose.

[@malcolmlyndsell5009]

Kenny was a great

[@JeepTJWheelin]

The hotel snare drum incident with Moon is hysterical but not at all surprising. Moon was a crazy son of a gun.

[@spikewebb8783]

Glad you enjoyed that bit - I put the hotel incident with Moon as a featured story in my follow up book (not finished yet).

[@JeepTJWheelin]

@@spikewebb8783 Kenny's recall and delivery on the story is superb. We all know Moon was out there and these accounts certainly validate it.

[@chuckselvage3157]

He's cool as

[@Ned88Man]

does anyone know the name of the Kenny Jones song that he does that sounds like The Who, kind of a Who parody?

[@grengeg7373]

Kenny still looks in excellent shape. Keith moon would probably be in a wheel chair if he were alive today.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

And probably not be able to still do all that all-excellent thunder-drumming a la John Bonham.

[@lptomtom]

Keith would never have lived this long, sadly...

[@NAHAJI133]

@@lptomtom I think Keith wanted to live.

[@lptomtom]

@@NAHAJI133 Wanting isn't enough when your body's a wreck

[@helmutsecke3529]

Or in a wheelchair...

[@johndaugherty4127]

I saw you with The Who in Lexington, Ky. in 1981. Still can't hear shit.

[@congamantony]

When are you going to interviewi Rat Scabies ?

[@kellyjohns6612]

The only drummer to correctly pull off a drum solo in a song that was all over every radio station for like 20 years. "I'm Losing You" --Faces Moby Dick is an acquired taste.

[@mickcorbett6724]

Lovely, humble man. Respect & admire him. Pleased he made a few quid. But. A substitute for Keith Moon. FO.

[@medwar2001]

Pardon the apparent pun, but Who the FUCK would downvote this video?

[@grahamschnell670]

The small facers were the best band ever…

[@alansmyth4310]

The Small Faces are everything the Stones aint, but with much more talent.

[@GrumblingGrognard]

Please, maybe I am getting old but this type of putting others down to make you/yours better is pathetic. Beyond that: if you cannot tell that these two bands had ENTIRELY different approaches, style, writing and visions then you are a blind fool as well. Grow up.

[@markmacdonald3260]

The Small Faces are massively under appreciated. Great band. Listening to them recently and I hadn't quite realized they did so many instrumentals.

[@wayneblanchard97]

@@markmacdonald3260 The band were huge fans of Booker T & the MGs, whose organ-led instrumentals not only inspired their instrumental originals, but also saw then do the MGs 'Plum Nellie'. If you listen to their 'You Need Loving', their version of a Willie Dixon tune made popular and then - at least the vocal and the ending - serving as inspiration for Led Zep's 'Whole Lotta Love', you will hear the lads doing an MGs 'Green Onions'-style back on that too.

[@1Ascanius]

Alan Smyth 100% too bad Marriott turned into an A hole if he would have stuck around they would have rewritten what came out in that era. Peace

[@NAHAJI133]

@@1Ascanius I would highly suggest you read the book All Too Beautiful.

[@jackstevenson3652]

Why is Kenny no longer in the Who?? They must get Him back he was a excellent drummer.

[@ltyr2002]

I disagree. The guy they have now is a better fit. Kenny Jones is great, just not for The Who.

[@francoa.9646]

@@ltyr2002 who is it now? Last I saw was super bowl halftime show with Ringo’s son. It was pretty bad.

[@xpat73]

First lesson of good interview technique. ask your question and then shut up. He keeps interrupting him......annoying.

[@sarasarah1810]

Luv how mad bad and dangerous for forgets to put the small faces in the description........lol...silly git..but they did spell Kenney right.👍

[@melvynobrien6193]

I was at the first gig the Small Faces did with Rod Stewart at Varsity Arena, Trono. They didn't need Rod Stewart; they were great, he was shite. And he's gotten worse as time goes by. Saw him on the Jeff Beck Truth tour, too, before the Faces, and he was passable. Beck peaked musically on that tour, as far as I'm concerned; great guitarist, should have kept playing rock.

[@JoeyFielding1]

he looks like gene wilder aka willy wonka

[@crixxxxxxxxx]

What the hell is going on with that guy's hair?

[@diskochimp]

Brexit!

[@paulm4433]

Still trying to look like rock & roll rebellious!

[@Ystadcop]

It took him ages to make it look such a casual mess.

[@MrSteeDoo]

british teeth!

[@thesadderdaysaints]

Zzzzzzz

[@iggyflop3777]

bad drumer

[@kyzor-sosay6087]

So,you name all the successful bands that you have played with,as I’m sure you’re a fantastic drummer.I’ll wait.

[@sapphireblue8930]

The interviewer looks horrific