The Average White Band (AWB) first formed in Dundee, Scotland, in 1972. The original members were Robbie McIntosh, Roger Ball, Michael Rosen, Onnie McIntyre, Malcolm Duncan, and Alan Gorrie. Over its history, the band has cycled through at least 22 members.
Despite being Scottish, the band was noted for having a sound inspired almost entirely by artists in the United States, particularly those involved in the soul scenes in Memphis, Detroit, and Philadelphia. These were artists like Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, and The Isley Brothers.
AWB got their break when they opened for Eric Clapton, which led to a contract with Atlantic Records. They relocated to Los Angeles and released “AWB,” their second studio album, in 1974. This album, which contained the hit “Pick Up the Pieces,” was successful and climbed to No. 1 on the charts. Their third, fourth, and fifth albums were also successful, but sales declined, and the group broke up. However, they reunited and began recording again in 1989, and have now released 13 studio albums among other projects. A review says:
“It was so nice to see that this new version had not lost that funk sound that made them so popular in the 70’s.”
Average White Band will be at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay on November 16. Organizers of concerts like this may want to work with a printer who will use poster printing to create advertising.