Did You Know...

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.