Ian “Mac” McLagan the famed keyboard player with the Small Faces and Faces, who also collaborated with The Rolling Stones, and led his own band from the late 1970s, died on December 3, 2014. The next edition of Life Elsewhere will be a special tribute to Ian, a crucial figure in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. Earlier last year (2014), Ian and Norman B ran into each other, backstage at a charity concert, they were both performing at, in Seattle. It was an unplanned and surprise meeting for the two silver-haired men who had gone to art school together, many years ago in London. Catching up backstage at the event didn’t allow much time or peace and quite to reminisce, so a couple of recording sessions were scheduled. “It’ll be like having a cozy, fireside chat over Skype.” Joked Ian. Those “fireside chats” resulted in many hours of a fascinating and revealing conversation with a man who had experienced and seen so much in his illustrious career. Because of the amount and compelling content of the recordings, Norman B decided to air the sessions in two parts. The news of Ian McLagan‘s death came in just over a week after part one of the “fireside chats” first aired. Out of respect to Mac and his family, and not gratuitously capitalize on his untimely death, we chose to wait to air more of the “fireside chat”. Here then in the upcoming edition of Life Elsewhere, we bring you the portions of the conversation with Mac, not aired before. You’ll hear Mac and Norman talk about their days growing up in the early 60’s in the same area of London and attending the same college. And, Mac talking candidly about his early life, becoming a pop-star, drugs, life on the road with The Rolling Stones, and the sad death of his wife. Listen carefully, because Ian McLagan‘s words are all the more poignant when he talks about age and not paying off his mortgage until he’d be 99. “He was one of the nicest men I have ever had the honor to know,” says Norman B, adding, “This is a true heartfelt story, from a man who loved life and rock ’n’ roll, make sure you don’t miss the next edition of Life Elsewhere”.
The photo above of Ian “Mac” McLagan and Norman B was taken backstage at the Kiss The Sky concert in Seattle, April 22, 2014. The audio clip below is from the “fireside chat”, with Mac talking about getting old.
Life Elsewhere airs:
Sundays 12 noon ET at The Source WMNF HD3
A Human Instinct For War is the title of Norman B’s latest contribution to Trebuchet Magazine.
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