Spirit of Smokie - Celebrating the Music of Smokie

Smokie is a British pop-rock band that ranked among the most popular groups of the 70s and 80s, with hits like "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 storming the charts.

With 15 Top-20 hits in total - including "Living Next Door to Alice", which sold over 30 million copies worldwide and sat at number one in Germany for nine weeks - they made music history. The original lineup featured Chris Norman (vocals, guitar), Terry Uttley (bass and vocals), Alan Silson (guitar and vocals) and Pete Spencer (drums and vocals). Playing the classic beat-band format of two guitars, bass and drums, they stood out for their tight vocal harmonies and the distinctive raspy voice of lead singer Chris Norman.

Anyone who thinks of Smokie as soft, forgettable pop has got it wrong: there was always plenty of rock'n'roll in these guys, and their emotionally charged guitar work was just as compelling as their singing. When Chris Norman left to pursue a solo career, the band found a worthy successor in Alan Barton in 1986 - his rough-edged voice came remarkably close to Norman's. As frontman, Barton launched a new era for Smokie and shaped the band's identity across six studio albums.

In 1995, however, tragedy struck: the band's tour bus left the road. Terry Uttley and Alan Silson escaped with minor injuries, but lead singer Alan Barton died from his severe wounds. After his death, Smokie fell largely silent.

Today, none other than Dean Barton - Alan Barton's son, who unmistakably inherited his father's raw yet soulful voice - takes the stage.