2009 Average White Band

Average White Band was started in Scotland by several talented young men who had a passion for R&B and funk music. They dared to cross the color-line and perform a genre of music that had only been attempted by black artists. Average White Band quickly became wildly popular in the United States and internationally, selling tickets in the U.S. and Europe.

Formed in 1972, the band consisted of Alan Gorrie on bass and vocals, Onnie McIntyre on guitar; Robbie McIntosh on drums, Roger Ball on sax and keyboard, Malcolm 'Molly' Duncan on sax, and Mike Rosen on guitar and trumpet. Hamish Stuart was soon added on guitar and vocals.

In 1973 Average White Band got a break when they opened for Eric Clapton's comeback tour, Rainbow. Despite what their name implies, Average White Band soon became a huge hit. They quickly topped the charts in the United States with their first album White Album. Their second album, AWB, was another success featuring 'Pick Up the Pieces.' On September 23, 1974, in the midst of all this glory, Robbie McIntosh tragically died of a heroin overdose. He was replaced by Steve Ferrone of Bloodstone for the band's next album, Cut the Cake. Featuring 'School Boy Crush' and a cover of Leon Ware's 'If I Ever Lose This Heaven,' Cut the Cake is considered by some fans and critics to be Average White Band's best album to date.

The group was quickly becoming widely popular. They capitalized on their fame by touring constantly and developed one of the best live acts of their time. Tickets were sold to enormous audiences all over the country. Five more successful albums followed within the next three years. These albums included Cupid's in Fashion, Soul Searching, and Benny & Us, which was a collaborative effort with the great soul artist Ben. E. King.

Although Average White Band had been such a huge success, ticket sales began to fall, and the band broke up in 1982. Some members attempted solo careers with minor success. In 1987, Alan Gorrie reunited a few other members to create a revamped Average White Band. With Alan Gorrie, Onnie McIntyre, Roger Ball, and Malcolm Duncan, the new Average White Band again recorded original albums and went on tour. Their most recent albums include Aftershock, Soul Tattoo, and Living in Colour.

Even though Average White Band got its start in the early 70s, they are still touring today. Being a white band from Scotland, they were able to do what no one thought possible: break into funk music in the United States. Several of their albums made it into the Top 10, and they are still selling tickets for concerts in the United Kingdom and playing to audiences across the United States. They have had great success with songs like 'Nothing You Can Do,' 'A Love of Your Own,' 'Give It Up for Love,' and 'Work To Do.'