Average White Band

Not really known for disco, but this Scottish group produced two mid-1970's funky dancefloor classics - one later covered by Van McCoy. "Let's go round again" was a disco track which filled UK dancefloors in the early 1980's.

A star in the ghetto / (same) (Atlantic 12" DSKO 99, 1977) - with Ben E. King Big city lights / Sweet and sour (Atlantic 12" DSKO 118, 1978) Feel no fret / Fire burning (Atlantic 12" DSKO 191, 1979)

 

  1. Queen of my soul (Atlantic 12" [UK] SAM 69, 1976)
  2. Walk on by (RCA 12" [UK] XC 1087, 1979)
  3. When will you be mine (RCA 12" [UK] XC 1096, 1979)
  4. One look over my shoulder (RCA 12" [UK] XC 9270, 1979)
  5. Let's go round again (RCA 12" [UK] AWB 12 1, 1980)
  6. For you for love (RCA 12" [UK] AWB 12 2, 1980)

     

  7. AWB (Atlantic LP, 1974)

     

  8. Pick up the pieces (Atlantic 7", 1974)
  9. Cut the cake (Atlantic 7", 1975)

 

Average White Band

This sextet was the natural culmination of several soul-influenced Scottish beat groups. The Unit featured Alan Gorrie (b. 19 July 1946, Perth, Scotland; bass/vocals), Mike Rosen (trumpet/guitar - ex—Eclection), replaced by Hamish Stuart (b. 8 October 1949, Glasgow, Scotland; guitar/vocals), Owen ‘Onnie’ McIntyre (b. 25 September 1945, Lennoxtown, Scotland; guitar), Malcolm ‘Mollie’ Duncan (b. 24 August 1945, Montrose, Scotland; saxophone), Roger Ball (b. 4 June 1944, Broughty,  Ferry, Scotland; saxophone/keyboards) and Robbie McIntosh (b. 6 May 1950, Dundee, Scotland, d. 23 September 1974, Hollywood, USA; drums). Although their 1973 debut album, Show Your Hand, showed promise, it was not until the band was signed to Atlantic Records that its true potential blossomed. AWB, also known as the White Album’ in deference to its cover art, was a superb collection and paired the group’s dynamism with Arif Mardin’s complementary production. The highlights included a spellbinding version of the Lesley Brothers’ ‘Work To Do, and the rhythmic original instrumental, Pick Up The Pieces’, a worthy US number 1/UK Top 10 single. AWB also topped the US album charts but this euphoric period was abruptly punctured in 1974 by the tragic death of Robbie McIntosh following a fatal ingestion of heroin at a Hollywood party. Steve Ferine (b. 25 April 1950 replaced him. Brighton, England), a former member of Bloodstone. The group secured farther success with ‘Cut The Cake’, the title song to a third album, but subsequent releases, despite an obvious quality, betrayed a creeping reliance on a proven formula. However a pairing with singer Ben E. King (Benny And Us) seemed to galvanize a newfound confidence and two later recordings, ‘Walk On By’ and ‘Let’s Go Round Again’, reclaimed the group’s erstwhile inventiveness. The Average White Band retired~ during much of the 80s as the members pursued individual projects, the most surprising of which:’ was Ferrone’s work with Duran Duran. Hamish Stuart later surfaced in Paul McCartney’s ~ In The Dirt touring group, and was sadly unavailable when the AWB REFORMED IN 1989, the result album AFTER SHOCK, featured original members GORRIE, BALL and McIntyre alongside Alex Ligertwood, a fellow-Scot and former vocalist with Santana.

 

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