Marriott, Steve (1947–1991)

UK pop singer and guitarist. He was successful in the mid-1960s as lead singer with the Small Faces, a mod group; less successful with Humble Pie 1969–1975; and subsequently reduced to playing the pub circuit. The Small Faces had a number-one hit in 1966 with ‘All or Nothing’.

Marriott's show-business career began with the part of the Artful Dodger in the musical Oliver! His first recordings imitated Buddy Holly, and he was briefly in a band called the Moments before forming the Small Faces in 1965 with Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagen, and Kenny Jones. They were popular on the London mod scene and soon had a hit with ‘Whatcha Gonna Do About It?’ (1965), followed by TV appearances on Ready Steady Go!, Sha La La La Lee, and My Mind's Eye. The band came third in a 1966 popularity poll after the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.