03/05/2025
Steve Marriott (30 January 1947 - 20 April 1991) was an English actor, musician, guitarist, singer and songwriter.
Few musicians make it to the top. Steve Marriott hit the big time twice. He may well have been small in stature but his cheeky personality, colossal voice, awe-inspiring guitar playing and ability to write great songs made him a Mod icon. Remembered for roles as the frontman of the Small Faces and Humble Pie, it was only after his untimely death that he was enrolled into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Marriott taught himself to play instruments given to him by his father. Often described as
‘musically gifted’, Marriott got his first taste of show businesses at the tender age of 13.
Decca Records released his first solo single
“Give Her My Regards” in 1963, but it failed to chart. He suffered a similar let-down as frontman for The Moments, a band which accrued a decent following and supported the likes of The Animals and Georgie Fame.
Undeterred, Marriott went on to play in one more band, The Checkpoints, before meeting his date with fate and becoming a founding member of the Small Faces. Chance encounters with Ronnie Lane and Kenney Jones led to firm friendships and the formation of the band. Marriott passed up an opportunity to pair with David Bowie, becoming a real ‘face’ (a popular and liked Mod) instead. The band, which included keyboardist Jimmy Winston, were signed in just over a month and charted with their very first single, “Whatcha Gonna Do About It.
The rest, as they say, is history. Marriott put his stamp on every song written by the band and, in later years, said his favourite was “All or Nothing.”
He formed Humble Pie shortly afterwards.
The impressive line-up, which included Peter Frampton, Greg Ridley and Jerry Shirley, went on to become one of the world’s first ever supergroups.
The final years Marriott turned his back on fame and reportedly lucrative recording contracts to tour the pub and club scene with a number of small bands. He died in a house fire, allegedly started by a cigarette, in 1991.
Listed by Mojo as one of the greatest singers of all time.