June 5 [12:00 EDT] -- Renowned British rock bassist Ronnie Lane, co-founder of the group Small Faces, has reportedly died of multiple sclerosis.

Reuters news service and the BBC reported on Thursday that Lane, 51, has passed away. The 51-year-old Lane, who was diagnosed with MS in the late 70s, played with Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood, and Who guitarist Pete Townsend in his enduring career.

Lane formed the mod-rock outfit Small Faces in 1965 with singer Steve Marriott, and stripped the title down to simply Faces when Marriott departed and Stewart and Wood came aboard in 1969. With Faces, Lane played on the hit "Stay With Me" in 1971.

Lane eventually left the group in 1973, and went on to record four albums with his band Slim Chances as well as an effort titled "Rough Mix" with Townsend.

While the bulk of Lane's guitar work stopped when he was diagnosed with MS, he did appear at a 1983 benefit concert for ARMS (Artists for Research into Multiple Sclerosis) with Charlie Watts, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page.