IAN MC LAGAN

Well my heavy heart is now even heavier with the news I just received from my buddy Tommy that we have also lost the very talented Ian Mc Lagan. As I said about Bobby Keys and his sax magic, I will never listen to his magic fingers at the keyboard the same again. Here is a quote from Paste Magazine I just finished reading: 

Ian McLagan, best known as the keyboardist for legendary English rock bands Small Faces and Faces, has passed away at the age of 69.
According to a source at the hospital in Austin, Texas, the musician—who also has collaborated with The Rolling Stones and led his own band for decades—died at 2:39 p.m. CST after suffering a stroke.
Jon Notarthomas, bassist for Ian McLagan & the Bump Band, spoke to Paste and expressed his surprise at the news.
“We’re all a little shocked and quite stunned,” Notarthomas said. “There was no indication. He was healthier and more enthusiastic about the tour. He was touring with Nick Lowe. We’re all just dumbfounded.”
“Mac always said ‘a retired musician is a corpse’,” he added. “This is a big loss to the Austin music scene. He’ll be missed.”
A statement on McLagan’s website reads as follows:
“It is with great sadness and eternal admiration that we report the passing of rock and roll icon Ian McLagan. Ian was a member of the ‘Small Faces’ and ‘Faces’ and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. He died today, December 3, 2014, surrounded by family and friends in his adopted hometown of Austin, TX, due to complications from a stroke suffered the previous day. His manager and bandmate Ken Kushnick says, ‘He was a beloved friend to so many people and a true rock n roll spirit. His persona and gift of song impacted the music across oceans and generations.” 

                                      IAN MC LAGAN  /  May 12, 1945 - December 3, 2014