In a one to one exclusive interview with Hush Hush Biz, music industry insider, writer and campaigner Val Weedon MBE took us on a journey back to the golden era of British rock. Celebrating a remarkable 60-year bond with the music of Small Faces, Val shared what it was like stepping straight out of school in 1966 and into the storm of Swinging London, working alongside the Mod legends and their notoriously formidable manager, Don Arden daughter of Sharon Osbourne.
Val also reflected warmly on another central figure from her early days: booking agent and manager Ron Kingsnorth. Ron, who also worked for Don Arden, ran his own booking agency, Galaxy Entertainments, where Val went on to work alongside him. Galaxy handled top-tier talent of the era, including The Birds, The Move, Amen Corner, and Jimi Hendrix. Sadly, Ron passed away just a month ago, making Val’s memories of their time together at the heart of the 1960s music explosion all the more poignant.
Her story is one of relentless passion—a line that runs directly from those vibrant 60s recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios to her later achievements as an author, community campaigner, and recipient of an MBE.
The interview comes at a moment of absolute frenzy for classic rock collectors. Fontana Records unveiled a newly reissued, 60th-anniversary edition of Small Faces’ self-titled 1966 debut LP as part of their prestige ‘The Thousand Club’ audiophile series. Cut entirely from the original, un-EQ’d IBC Studios master tapes by Alex Wharton at Abbey Road Studios, the release was designed to give listeners the purest, most dynamic analogue sound possible.
Demand for the ultra-exclusive pressing was overwhelming. Strictly limited to just 1,000 individually foil-numbered copies worldwide—with surviving founding member and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Kenney Jones securing 200 copies with hand-signed prints exclusively for the fanbase—the album sold out completely within 24 hours of its release. Every copy across both Nice Records and Fontana’s official stores, including rare test pressings, was snapped up almost instantly by eager fans.
Reflecting on the monumental release, Kenney Jones shared his pride in seeing the band’s earliest work preserved with such care:
“It’s fantastic to see our debut album included in The Thousand Club series. These recordings capture the excitement of where it all began for the Small Faces. I’m delighted we’ll be reaching a new generation of listeners while giving longtime fans a new listening experience with this beautiful edition cut from the original master tapes.”
For those who missed out on the vinyl drop, the celebration continues through a special range of 60th-anniversary merchandise featuring vintage 1966 Decca Records artwork.
Catch our full conversation with Val Weedon MBE as it was a real treat to share this event and look forward to talking more to Val as to unforgettable look into 1960s rock royalty.
By Caroline Russo | Hush Hush Biz Images taken by and credit to Phil Weeldon
