Ronnie Lane & Pete Townshend Interview

Ronnie & Pete talking about the Rough Mix lp

[@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY]

Ronnie Lane - a musical giant who lifted STEVE MARRIOTT and ROD STEWART to the heights of musical achievement. Ronnie, you were always my favourite bass player. Your vocals were brilliant. Your bands were put together around YOU. You achieved more in your short life than most do in three-score years plus 100! Love Peace and Light x

[@garyginther6742]

Ronnie was a great bassist, but he only played bass in Small Faces because nobody else would. And then he just kept on it in Faces. But he switched back to guitars and other instruments when he left Faces to form Slim Chance, and then in that circus-type carnival act "The Passing Show". He was a multi-instrumentalist, as well as his song writing - lead vocal talents. But what a nice guy and great front man. Very lovable and charismatic. I guess this project with Townsend was after Slim Chance. Small Faces got back together, but he quit after two rehearsals, but was contractually obligated to Atlantic Records and owed them an album. So, Townsend helped him fulfill that obligation with this "Rough Mix" album. I just learned all this stuff about him in the last few weeks. Lost pieces of the puzzles. I always wondered what the stories were about Small Faces and Faces. (There is no "The" in the names of those two groups.)

[@madeleinehague648]

There was no way Pete and Ronnie would explain that the LP came together, because poor Ronnie was broke, and asked Pete for a loan. Pete said no, but that he'd do a record with his old friend. (And Glyn Johns produced it.) So....Rough Mix was born, and it's one of my favourite albums of all time. It was during the making of Rough Mix, that Pete first noticed Ronnie's MS, as his fingers were having trouble hitting the strings on his guitar. Such a tragic end for such a talented man.

[@finch45lear]

I always has thought that Ronnie had invested money into his mobile recording truck not only to use for himself , but as a business to keep him solvent. I know he rented it out to others. I'm so sorry that after all his work as a musician he had so little money. He seemed like a nice guy .

[@danielpatrick3761]

Yeah after laying Ronnie out in a fight... Is it me, or is there a bit of edge between the two of them here?

[@michaelward9880]

I remember not liking " Rough Mix " when it came out. I remember liking the first track but not the rest of it. There didn't seem to be anything " Rough " about it. I bought it mainly to help Ronnie Lane in my own small way. He had been diagnosed with MS a few years before and read that he was going through hard times. So I bought the album. Maybe I should give it another listen now that I'm much older. RIP Ronnie Lane. Miss like a brother.

[@garyginther6742]

@Gelmir Curufin Who is "ronnie wood clapton"? Anyway, both Eric Clapton and Ron Wood play excellent slide, though many people don't realize Clapton is very proficient at slide.

[@garyginther6742]

Madeleine Hague, After Ronnie quit the reformed Small Faces in 1977, he found out he was contractually obligated to Atlantic Records and owed them an album. Pete Townsend agreed to help him put an album out. At least that's the story in Wikipedia in the Ronnie Lane article. Wikipedia is notorious for having errors, but this sounds true. But what you said sounds plausible also. In a way, what I said is similarly true. Pete WAS helping his old friend out, but not because he refused a request to loan him money, but to help him fulfill a legal obligation to the record company. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Lane

[@beograd611]

God bless Ronnie Lane.

[@finch45lear]

Rabbit played with The Who for years. When I saw them in 2002, he was right there at the keys. Awesome musician.

[@rosehickey8483]

And pete townsend who unlike other 'mates' stood by Ronnie and sincely attempted to assist his little ol' mate !

[@Picnicl]

Ronnie Lane and Steve Marriott were properly Dickensian in the most authentic and stylish of ways - hard workers, believers in positivity, thoughtful, elegant, true. Ronnie was particularly, clearly, an outright genius and thoroughly characterful, charming, 'yet' reflective, man. He could say a lot if asked but he would not say something just to fill a silence. There's a true sage/minstrel, mysterious and kind, beautiful soul, quality to him that is utterly timeless but that found particular fertile ground in the atmosphere of the 60s and 70s. A truly generously spirited (no pun intended about the 70s hard boozing days of bands) man

[@davidbuckley396]

True.

[@rosehickey8483]

Indded ....inc that steve marriot actually played the Diivkens role in Oliver Twist (the charkes dickons tale)!

[@cindyfalstrom7231]

I have read that when Don Arden saw them - how small and cute they were, he wanted to rename them "the Oliver Twists" - ack! How awful that would have been. Anyway, well said Paul. When Small Faces formed, Ronnie and Steve were the best of friends, though Yin and Yang in personalities. Ronnie quiet and thoughtful; Steve brash, loud and outgoing. This made them a magical songwriting team. Too bad the pressures of fame and money broke up this close knit band of brothers. RIP Ronnie, Steve & Mac..

[@Buelligan88]

One of the great rock and roll bass players of all time. Still appreciated by a lot of fans, but absolutely revered by his peers.

[@darrensinnott2197]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!

[@BeatlesBowieKrimson]

How great is KZbin? I'm reading Pete's book "Who I Am," read about this interview, go onto KZbin, and watch it. Fantastic! Thanks for posting, Stevie.

[@stevierobhan]

No problem mate - the books good innit?

[@kevgh3869]

KZbin is great until it sucks hours of your life away.

[@ozzie-sk9dh]

The great English art of understatement at work here. But Rough Mix is a bloody masterpiece. Every number on it is a gem.

[@TonyBurke100]

Ronnie Lane was such a sweetheart a kind and gentle soul. The album was fabulous I'm seventy and Rough Mix is still one of my favourites even after all the music that I've heard since..

[@ryansimmonds731]

Ronnie.. Sorely missed my friend. Pete wasn't the only casual friend he had at his farm in Fish pool, some others include others like Eric Clapton,Jimmy Page, old faces pal Woody, and other no names HAHA, and what a sense of humor and a good heart and soul he had. The Good Die Young

[@johnnystek6900]

ronnie and pete were more than casual friends

[@phihelix8777]

💖

[@user-ms4fs3vk2h]

Rest in peace, Ronnie, it's a pity that you left us!

[@jerry_fishguy]

Always wished Pete and Ronnie collaborated on another album..I really enjoyed Rough Mix. Long Live Rock Ronnie!

[@y2biz]

I forgot how much I adore that album. Some beautiful songs on Rough Mix. RIP Ronnie Lane

[@brett66]

I love Ronnie, he was like a real life Hobbit.

[@stevestewart-sturges2159]

Apparently, he was only around 5'5" ... like Steve Marriott

[@cindyfalstrom7231]

@@stevestewart-sturges2159 True, all the Small Faces were 5'5 or under. Ronnie always reminded me of a Hobbit, Mac an elf, Kenney a kid, and Steve (who close friends claim was closer to 5'2") was like a perfect little doll man , especially when he was a fashion icon. Loved the Small Faces ❤

[@SuperBonehill]

Lovely to see Ronnie Lane again, & Pete of course. Thank you!

[@geoffreykent3051]

Bought this when it came out. Still love it to this day and go back to it often - in fact here I am.

[@sodapopinski690]

Honestly this is the funniest Townshend interview i've ever seen. He's got a devil may care attitude going like he really doesn't feel like being there but agreed to do it and decided to imbibe on a couple snorts to make it more interesting.

[@ConglomerationCat]

It hides the fact too that Brandy could contribute a little something to it.

[@Weird_Old_Uncle_Kenny]

I was too young to know the Small Faces, and the only members of Faces I knew at the time were Woody and Rod. I think the first time I heard Ronnie Lane's name was the ARMS concert in 1983 (I went to the one at the LA Forum). I really only began to discover what he was about just recently. He seems such a gentle and humble soul, great player and singer. I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger! At least I can hear the recordings and watch the KZbin videos...

[@TheJollycoppers]

There's a good documentary about Ronnie online that you should watch. Life dealt him some crap, particularly toward the end. A wonderfully humble guy though, and great musician.

[@dorothykuveke1217]

I love that song that Ronnie wrote called Oh lala 🎶☘️🎶🌹 all of you folks are right he never received the credit he truly deserved💯⭐💯RIP Ronnie 🙏

[@cptnbeefart]

pete is so happy here i love him so much

[@rosehickey8483]

A decent kind dude frankly and real mate to Ronnie .

[@peterpavlovic5380]

Ronnie Lane is a Giant!!!!

[@johnnynbk]

I cherish the day i found ROUGH MIX lp at a rummage sale. What a great day.

[@AndrozaniCritic1999]

I'm not sure it's so much an interview of Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane so much as 11 minutes of Pete doing things.

[@TheDomRyder]

totally agree with Billy !! such an underrated musician our Ronnie ....

[@missyounorm33]

I fell in love with Ronnie when I heard Glad and Sorry and I remembered my dear Pop when I heard Debris. Two of the most poignant songs I have ever heard

[@gaskellr44]

Only in their early 30s here and both have done so much quality music.

[@TheHuckster100]

Great interview! I bought this album when it was released and to this day 'April Fool' gives me chills when I hear it.

[@billkingston4402]

Old grey whistle test, the test was to hear whispering Bob

[@cuzzcuzz6446]

\\\\\\\\\\\\ What a great bloke Ronnie was. Went down to Fishpool farm country 2 years ago, and I am sure I could hear the fun and laughter that they had there making brilliant music.

[@stevierobhan]

i went there a couple of years back Roger - did you see the little studio??? Tiny!!!!!!

[@aaarauz1]

Love Laneole's expression when the camera came back to them and he got caught holding a can of beer. priceless!

[@BubbaZen10]

I have always loved that album so much!! (and also like watching Pete when he's ever so slightly tipsy!)

[@skrpavarotti]

Ronnie Lane my favorite bass player in the old days. A great musician of many bands.

[@tattyshoesshigure5731]

Love the old film that accompanies the track.

[@FrankieParadiso4evah]

I wish PT had written his autobio in this amusing style.

[@TheEdie1958]

Visual montages reminiscent of french photographer Henri Cartier Bresson embodiment of conceptual imagery. Enduring kinship an affinity between bandmates that are extended family shared mutual interest male bonding based on affection, chemistry, rapport. Cheers Sir Peter and Sir Ronnie

[@mikeh6763]

Great unheralded album. Heart to Hang Onto and My Baby Gives it Away are wonderful tunes that never make the airwaves. That's ok--I have it!

[@suesjoy]

OMG. You made my day...no...my LIFE! And a music video before there were even music videos! Well, Pete DID predict there would be an internet and file sharing and that musicians would STARVE because of the internet...not that long after this interview, actually! (People walked out of a lecture when he talked about that in 1982, I think it was). AnyWHO. VERY funny interview. RIP dear Ronnie Lane. He was an earth angel, and he's definitely one right now!

[@jonviall5566]

THAT WAS F&*#@()G AWESOME !!

[@77lassiter15]

I love how imperturbable Ronnie Lane is

[@5tar5z]

Keep Me Turning. Whatta tune.

[@annahanks4943]

Thank you so much!!! I've been looking for this forever

[@stevierobhan]

no problem mate - last time i uploaded it it disappeared after a week!!!

[@jemalraghip3820]

RIP you Genius

[@micahsalinas8857]

Great

[@bigdaddystinkeye]

One of my all time favorite albums. Love Ronnie and Pete. That video of "Rough Mix", how wild is that?

[@schmaughan]

First time I've seen this .....a sheer delight ...thanks for sharing

[@MundaSquire]

Great album, andLane's "Annie" is one beautiful song.

[@andrewhoag6167]

got that right, my friend

[@JasonFerguson1283]

Pete! So jovial.

[@Bumble8700]

Ronnie always had such a nice tone on bass. I remember reading that Duff McKagan patterned his style on Ronnie.

[@Estudio_Quesney]

Ronnie forever.

[@marksweet6298]

Back when certain groups of musicians were true friends.

[@matthewlopez5210]

Good old Ronnie.....love you mate. Thank you indeed for the post.

[@paulnorris6253]

Great album Great people

[@zsong9600]

I sold all my vinyl years ago and Rough Mix is one that I miss along with Ronnie and Slim Chance.

[@danielmoran9902]

In his bio, 'Who I Am', Townshend is really scathing about his own performance during this interview, and afterwards, Lane gave him a bollocking for how Townshend was treating his wife. I looked at the man a little differently after reading the bio...I thought he was a wanker before, I still do. I imagine he would agree with me.

[@gailweissmanmfa9023]

My fav album

[@modo03]

Excellent stuff.Thanks for sharing this!

[@skinner5334]

The Chairman never disappoints..

[@channybeauty]

Small faces the best band ever

[@davidbuckley396]

You speak the truth. Good on you.

[@whotunes]

Nice to see this on here :)

[@miguelteixido3157]

Surprise surprise !good album rough mix'77.

[@planetprince67]

Ronnie's brother, Arnold, had strange hobbies, I've heard tell. What is this b & w video from??? Awesome.

[@einysjame]

Very cool find!

[@bronyr]

Ronnie.

[@____Ai____]

haha Pete is brilliant :D

[@realfaux6923]

The host just kept trying to play it straight. That's really the funny part that holds it together like a Monty Python skit. Then when Ronnie (bless his soul) is actually talking the host throws it back to Pete who is like - WTF? I didn't interrupt him let him talk.

[@patriciafrei792]

Lane is good

[@patriciafrei792]

modern studies ♥️😊

[@superfuzzymomma]

God I miss the Pete of a few brandies

[@isabellafinegold]

A FEW? LOL!!!! Pete said later he felt like a real jerk for this interview.

[@sjcherno77]

Ralph Percy I think Ronnie was diagnosed with MS during these sessions. Don't know if he was always this camera shy, but Pete looks like he felt the pressure to carry the interview. Lane was pretty boring.

[@isabellafinegold]

Garden State Variety Yeah, it was during this time he was diagnosed. Ronnie looks a bit "put off" by Pete. I think Pete always felt he had to be "on."

[@renjay3743]

Pete is Pete. That's why he he is good at what he does/did. He's full on. You can't be half hearted doing what he does. Ronnie and Pete are very different people but they are equally inspirational. I'm more like Ronnie though.

[@suesundowner6780]

Both Ronnie and his writing partner in the Small Faces Steve Marriott ended up dirt poor early in their lives and both died tragically young. Criminal, really.

[@alanoneill3065]

Its great to see Pete Townshend so light hearted...thew Plonk factor eh?

[@StaminatorBlader]

the chairs 😍

[@phihelix8777]

💖

[@gregsmith8854]

when did this originally air? Love Pete, Loved ya Ronnie!

[@stevierobhan]

sometime in '77 mate, not sure of the date....

[@stevierobhan]

sometime in '77 mate, not sure of the date....

[@gregsmith8854]

Awesome, I loved Ronnie Lane and Petes the Bomb too.

[@marthaworc7873]

This interview dropped 8 years ago. When was it filmed?

[@darrensinnott2197]

19778 i reckon... One of my all time favourite bass players and massive influence on my basd playing...

[@sweetitis]

Love This Album, Of Course before there was ever a J Geils Party Band We had The Faces, and Ive Always Loved Ronnie Lane Productions Like "Debris" ( in my top 5 All Time) and "Youre So Rude" but teaming with Pete on Great jams like My Baby Gives It Away ( at the time Scoring Charlie Watts tantamount to Peter Frampton Scoring Ringo on "Lodger) and of Course Rough Mix an underrated Toe Tapping Jam as that will snap anyone out of a doldrum anytime its listened to. Whew sadly Its a story of friendship and charity to a man who needed a friend and it showcases 2 Rock Icons you might never get together like this without the Heart Strings added into the Rough Mix

[@lapazdeguerra109]

1977, the "lost year"

[@PAULLONDEN]

Interesting 1920s fairytale filmclip which doesn't mesh with this typical mid 70s pub rock music at all.

[@alastairevans]

He doesn't know. D. Priceless

[@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY]

OGWT........never bettered......never even fuckin' equalled.

[@jamescassidy3995]

Anyone know what the amazing video film clip was from?

[@ConglomerationCat]

A couple glasses of Brandy will open somebody up pretty quick 😉

[@andrer.newcomb6516]

Frodo, don't open that door. You'll have a meltdown.

[@geografonaestrada9382]

Dois gênios

[@jeffkaufman9875]

Pete doing his Keith Moon side-step instead of a proper interview…

[@FreeTVEngland]

In his autobiography, Pete says he tried to be funny and set Ronnie Wood up as the stooge, which was a mistake because he appeared childish and Ronnie wanted to be serious about the record.

[@cosmicdrifter287]

i like the rough stuff.

[@billybigtime2808]

You can tell to Ronnies had the wind taken out of him hear by his Illness

[@46dc9er]

SOUND !

[@fr1nkly]

can anyone identify the footage played with rough mix?

[@ArielBookworm]

it's from 1926 f.w. murnau's faust

[@fr1nkly]

thank you

[@johnnynbk]

Whispering Blob

[@JakobSeidl]

How did it come together?

[@lorenzomontoya1260]

Townsend needed to shut his own mouth

[@BrungersBandRock]

what a strange video to the track Roucgh Mix..hahahaha

[@maxcuthbert100]

Whistle tast was always full of such like.

[@JetAgeEric]

I wonder if it's because they found him funny, Freakster.

[@flipindisticalproductions4736]

Love Townshend but he is obnoxious here and not funny or witty either, a good thing he gave up the drink.

[@Freakster1970]

Why are people laughing at a guy who isn't the slightest bit funny? I guess you couldn't call Townshend a tosser back then because he was suppose to be rock royalty.

[@philthycat1408]

I honestly can’t stand Townsend . His music was great though. As for Lane. Absolute genius.

[@7777srd]

horrible audio on this, quite a shame.

[@SometimesInnocent]

They should simply answer the questions, without smiling. They're so annoying

[@IndependentGeorge76]

what a weird comment

[@SometimesInnocent]

IndependentGeorge76 LOL We have a winner !

[@davidbuckley396]

Not Ronnie!

[@danocable]

Alcoholism whenever I think of Ronnie lane living on a bus on Pete’s land he kinda checked out he was fantastic James on the bass

[@cedricpeabody265]

Pete Townsend. The only man who looks the same in the mirror as he does in the back of a spoon.