“What a Cheeky Sod!”: The Guitar Prank That Rocked The Faces’ 1975 Farewell Performance

Rock history is filled with moments of brilliance, rebellion, and mischief—but few combine all three as perfectly as the now-legendary prank that took place during The Faces’ 1975 performance on The Midnight Special. What began as a historic jam session between rock icons Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, and Keith Richards ended up as one of the most chaotic, hilarious, and oddly endearing acts of backstage sabotage in the golden age of rock and roll.

The Setting: A Farewell and a Beginning

The year was 1975—a pivotal moment in British rock history. The Faces, one of the most raucous and beloved bands of the early ’70s, were on the brink of collapse. Their guitarist Ronnie Wood was preparing to officially join The Rolling Stones, stepping into the rhythm guitar role alongside his close friend, Keith Richards.

To mark the moment, The Faces were invited to perform on NBC’s The Midnight Special on April 25, 1975. The performance was billed as a celebratory sendoff—a symbolic “passing of the torch” from The Faces to The Stones. With Rod Stewart’s unmistakable voice, Ronnie Wood’s guitar swagger, and Keith Richards joining the lineup, the show was meant to be a showcase of camaraderie among rock’s upper echelon.

But backstage, a bit of mischief was brewing.

The Prank: Five Acts of Musical Sabotage

As rehearsals and filming began, Stewart—known as much for his humor as for his raspy vocals—couldn’t resist playing a little trick on his soon-to-be Rolling Stones colleague.

Keith Richards, famous for his meticulous guitar setup and his signature open G tuning (a five-string configuration that defined classics like “Brown Sugar” and “Start Me Up”), had brought along one of his prized instruments—a Gibson Les Paul Junior or Telecaster, depending on the song.

While Richards took breaks between takes, Stewart reportedly began fiddling with the tuning pegs, detuning the guitar slightly. Then he did it again. And again. By the end of the taping, he had allegedly altered the tuning five separate times.

The result? Richards spent much of the session retuning his guitar between songs—at first puzzled, then amused, when he realized who was behind the prank.

Rather than lashing out, Richards laughed it off. His reaction became part of rock folklore:

“What a cheeky sod!” he reportedly exclaimed, grinning—an affectionate jab at Stewart’s audacious humor.

Behind the Laughter: The Context of 1975

The Midnight Special performance wasn’t just a late-night TV slot—it was the final chapter in The Faces’ story.

• Ronnie Wood’s Transition: These performances were effectively The Faces’ swan song. Shortly after, Wood joined The Rolling Stones, permanently replacing Mick Taylor. His addition helped shape The Stones’ sound for decades to come.
• Rod Stewart’s Solo Ascent: By 1975, Stewart was already deep into his solo superstardom. Hits like “Maggie May” and “You Wear It Well” had cemented him as one of the era’s defining voices, leaving little time or need for his band commitments.
• The Faces’ Final Release: Their last single, the playfully titled “You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything (Even Take the Dog for a Walk, Mend a Fuse, Fold Away the Ironing Board, or Any Other Domestic Shortcomings)”, was released in 1974. It became the group’s last Top 20 hit before their dissolution later that year.

The Legacy: Humor, Friendship, and the End of an Era

The 1975 Midnight Special performance, chaotic tuning and all, stands as a moment frozen in time—a rare snapshot of British rock’s intertwined dynasties. Stewart’s prank wasn’t malicious; it was the kind of teasing that could only exist among musicians who shared a deep sense of trust, competition, and mutual admiration.

It also symbolized a changing of the guard. The Faces were ending, but their spirit—brash, humorous, and defiantly unpolished—would live on through The Rolling Stones, particularly in the easy chemistry between Wood and Richards.

Today, fans still revisit the footage with affection. The music may have briefly gone out of tune, but the moment itself remains pitch-perfect—a testament to the camaraderie and chaos that defined 1970s rock.

And as for Richards’ unforgettable response—“What a cheeky sod!”—it remains the ultimate line of forgiveness in rock history, proving that even among legends, a good laugh always hits the right note.