The Average White Band had their name jokingly bestowed on them by Bonnie Bramlett of Delanie & Bonnie; during their prime, AWB's solid grooves and overall chemistry were anything but average. But the name did reflect their paradoxical position: they were an American-style soul band made up of native Scots. The group was formed in Glasgow, Scotland, in early 1972 by Alan Gorrie (b. Jul. 19, 1946, Perth, Scotland) on bass, vocals, Michael Rosen; (soon replaced by Hamish Stuart; [b. Oct. 8, 1949, Glasgow, Scotland] [guitar, vocals]), Onnie McIntyre, (b. Sep. 25, 1945, Lennox Town, Scotland) on vocals, guitar, Robbie McIntosh (b. 1950, Scotland - d. Sep. 23, 1974, Los Angeles), Roger Ball, (b. Jun. 4, 1944, Dundee, Scotland) on keyboards, saxophone, and Malcolm Duncan, (b. Aug. 24, 1945, Montrose, Scotland) on saxophone. After their 1973 debut album, Show Your Hand, went unnoticed, they hooked up with producer Arif Mardin to record Average White Band (frequently called AWB because of the initials on the cover). Released in August 1974, the album topped the charts and spawned the near-instrumental dance hit "Pick Up the Pieces," which also went to number one. Meanwhile, tragedy struck the band, when drummer Robbie McIntosh died of a drug overdose; he was replaced by Steve Ferrone (b. Apr. 25, 1950, Brighton, England). AWB nearly replicated its success with the third album, Cut the Cake, and its title single, both of which reached the Top Ten. But the sameness of the group's approach and such side projects as an album with Ben E. King broke its momentum. Also, the rise of disco left its funky soul style sounding dated. AWB managed a couple more gold albums in Person to Person (January 1977) and Warmer Communications (March 1978), and its popularity lasted longer in the UK than in the US, but by the start of the '80s the band was permanently out of fashion. The band members have worked as session sidemen for artists ranging from Chaka Khan to Paul McCartney and Badfinger. -- Rick Clark & William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
01. The Jugglers 02. This World Has Music 03. Twilight Zone 04. Put It Where You Want It |
05. Show Your Hand 06. Back In '67 07. Reach Out 08. T. L. C. |
01. You Got It 02. Got The Love 03. Pick Up The Pieces 04. Person To Person 05. Work To Do |
06. Nothing You Can Do 07. Just Wanna Love You Tonight 08. Keepin' It To Myself 09. I Just Can't Give You Up 10. There's Always Someone Waiting |
01. Cut The Cake 02. School Boy Crush 03. It's A Mystery 04. If I Ever Lose This Heaven 05. Why |
06. High Flyin' Woman 07. Cloudy 08. How Sweet Can You Get 09. When They Bring Down The Curtain |
01. Overture 02. Love Your Life 03. I'm The One 04. A Love Of Your Own 05. Queen Of My Soul 06. Soul Searching |
07. Goin' Home 08. Everybody's Darling 09. Would You Stay 10. Sunny Days (Make Me Think Of You) 11. Digging Deeper |
01. Catch Me (Before I Have To Testify) 02. Help Is On The Way 03. Whatcha Gonna Do For Me 04. Let's Go Round Again 05. Into The Night |
06. Our Time Has Come 07. For You, For Love 08. If Love Only Lasts For One Night 09. Shine |
01. Person To Person 02. Cut The Cake 03. If I Ever Lose This Heaven 04. Cloudy 05. T.L.C. |
06. I'm The One 07. Pick Up The Pieces 08. Love Your Life 09. School Boy Crush 10. I Heard It Through The Grapevine |
01. Get It Up For Love 02. Fool For You Anyway 03. Someday We'll All Be Free 04. Imagine 05. Keepin' It To Myself |
06. Fire Burning 07. What Is Soul 08. A Star In The Ghetto 09. The Message |
01. Your Love Is A Miracle 02. Same Feeling, Different Song 03. Daddy's All Gone 04. Big City Lights 05. She's A Dream |
06. Warmer Communications 07. The Price Of A Dream 08. Sweet & Sour 09. One Look Over My Shoulder |
01. When Will You Be Mine 02. Please Don't Fall In Love 03. Walk On By 04. Feel No Fret 05. Stop The Rain |
06. Atlantic Avenue 07. Ace Of Hearts 08. Too Late To Cry 09. Fire Burning |
01. Kiss Me 02. Love Won't Get In The Way 03. Love Gives, Love Takes Away 04. Growing Pains 05. Pick Up The Pieces |
06. Person To Person 07. Cut The Cake 08. A Love Of Your Own 09. Queen Of My Soul |
01. You're My Number One 02. Easier Said Than Done 03. You Wanna Belong 04. Cupid's In Fashion 05. Theatre Of Excess |
06. I Believe 07. Is It Love That You're Running From 08. Reach Out I'll Be There 09. Isn't It Strange 10. Love's A Heartache |
01. Soul Mine 02. Back To Basics 03. Livin' On Borrowed Time 04. Every Beat Of My Heart 05. When We Get Down To It 06. Oh, Maceo |
07. Do Ya Really 08. I Wanna Be Loved 09. No Easy Way To Say Goodbye 10. Love Is The Bottom Line 11. Welcome To The Real World 12. Window To Your Soul |
01. Soul Mine 02. Got The Love 03. A Love Of Your Own 04. Oh, Maceo |
05. Back To Basics 06. Work To Do 07. Every Beat Of My Heart 08. Pick Up The Pieces |