Spirit of Smokie - Celebrating the Music of Smokie

Smokie is a British pop-rock band that was among the most popular groups of the 1970s and 1980s - with hits such as "If you think you know how to love me", "I'll meet you at midnight", "Lay back in the arms of someone", "Wild Angels", "Oh Carol", "Mexican Girl" and many more that stormed the charts.

With a total of 15 Top-20 hits, including "Living next door to Alice", which sold over 30 million copies worldwide and was number 1 in Germany for 9 weeks, the band made music history. The original line-up consisted of Chris Norman (vocals, guitar), Terry Uttley (bass and vocals), Alan Silson (guitar and vocals) and Pete Spencer (drums and vocals). The band played in the classic beat configuration - two guitars, bass and drums - stood out for their excellent vocal harmonies, and their signature trademark was the distinctive raspy voice of lead singer Chris Norman.

But anyone who thinks the name "Smokie" means boring rock ballad singers is mistaken: even back then there was plenty of rock and roll in these guys, who captivated audiences not only with their singing but also with emotional and stirring guitar sounds.

After Chris Norman's departure, who left Smokie to pursue a solo career, the band found a worthy successor in Alan Barton in 1986, whose raspy voice nearly matched that of Chris Norman. As the new lead singer, Alan Barton ushered in a new era of "Smokie" and shaped the face of this world-class band through six released albums.

But in 1995 a tragic accident occurred: the band's tour bus veered off the road - Smokie members Terry Uttley and Alan Silson escaped with only minor injuries, but lead singer Alan Barton succumbed to his severe injuries.

Unfortunately, after this tragic death of Alan Barton in 1995, things fell silent around "Smokie".

Today, none other than Dean Barton, Alan Barton's son, leads the band - he unmistakably possesses the same distinctive, raspy yet soulful voice of his father.