Sad to report Jimmy Winston passed away Sept 26, 2020, age 75 (or 77 depending on your source).

Jimmy originally wanted to go into acting, but first jumped into the Small Faces when the band formed. Was with them thru their first 2 singles “Whatcha Gonna Do About It” and “I’ve Got Mine”, as well as about half the cuts on their first Decca LP “Small Faces” (and possibly some others). Originally their 2nd guitar, but moved over to keyboards to help with the Small Faces sound.

Jimmy was eased out of the band seemingly because of personality issues, competing for the limelight with Steve Marriott, so to speak. Others say it was because of his lack of super keyboard prowess. Or that he stood up for his brother Derek’s SF road manager wages, and new SF manager Don Arden forced them both out. But whatever. Often referred to as the Pete Best of the Small Faces.

He was given the chance to start his own band after that, Jimmy Winston and His Reflections, and later Winston’s Fumbs (both included future Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye), and it worked for a while, but no hit records and no fame. Whereas the Small Faces had hit records and fame, but got no money due to record company shenanigans. So Jimmy didn’t miss out on the money at all.

His most well known record, as Winston’s Fumbs, is the psychedelic thriller “Real Crazy Apartment” (b-side “Snow White”) 1967, which frequently shows up on various comps of the period, including the “Nuggets II British Empire 1964-1969” box set.

After his music career fizzled out, he got back into acting, and appeared in various films, theater, and TV over the 60s + 70s, including a UK production of “Hair”, and the Doctor Who 1972 serial "Day of the Daleks". He later ran a successful PA for hire company. And he regularly appeared and performed at many annual Small Faces conventions.

Just recently he got back into social media, including his own website and facebook page. He had just compiled a 10 track CD of his 60s & 70s recordings, announced it for sale, and sadly passed away the very next day.

His just released 10 track CD of his 60s + 70s recordings can be ordered here, don’t know if this will make to the Amazons or not, looks like a small private label “Magic Tunnel Records” :

https://jimmywinstonmusic.com/

R.I.P. Jimmy...

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Winston's Fumbs - "Real Crazy Apartment" :

R.I.P.

Talented and stylish man. Sometimes I think he was pushed out of the group not for being an attention-seeker, but for being too tall for The "Small" Faces!



Winston's Fumbs have tracks on several Acid Jazz CDs. They're pretty good. That collection on his website is likely a CD-R.

Rest well, Jimmy.

R.I.P. Jimmy W. May your memory be a blessing to family, friends and fans.

RIP

That's pretty funny. At 5'6" it's not like he was a towering giant, either; that picture shows just how little the rest of the band were.

He was part of a legend. I liked his work.

An excellent Jimmy interview with John Hellier, from Sept 1996:

http://www.wappingwharf.com/winston.htm

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