Average White Band

Average White Band Bio

The Average White Band is a Scottish R&B and funk band that formed in 1972. The band consists of Cliff Lyons on vocals, keyboard and alto sax, Rob Aries on the keyboard and bass, Onnie Mclntyre on guitar and vocals, Brent Carter as the lead vocals, Alan Gorrie on lead vocals, bass and guitar, Rocky Bryant on the drums and Fred ‘Freddy V’ Vigdor on tenor sax, keyboard as well as vocals. The band’s breakthrough was in 1973, opening for Eric Clapton for his comeback performance and was immediately signed to MCA Records. The Average White Band released their first album ‘Show Your Hand’ in 1973. The band eventually moved to Atlantic Records and released their second album, ‘The White Album’. In 1975, the band’s single ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ from their second album hit the number 1 spot on the US Billboard 100 and was certified gold. The Average White Band then released four more LP’s, ‘Cut the Cake’ in 1975, which was also nominated for a Grammy followed by ‘Soul Searching’ in 1976 and a double live album, ‘Person to Person’ in 1976 and ‘Benny & Us’ with Ben E. King in 1977. Releasing several more albums, ‘Warmer Communications’ in 1978, ‘Feel No Fret’ in 1979, ‘Shine’ in 1980 and ‘Cupid’s Fashion’ in 1982, the band disbanded in 1983. The band reunited once more in 1988 to record on the Atlantic Records 40th anniversary in 1988. The band did continue to release a few more albums but by 2019, Alan Gorie and Onnie Mclntyre are the only original members that have stayed in the Average White Band.