|
Smokie |
|
|---|---|
Smokie performing in Einsiedel, Germany in June 2009 |
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Smokey |
| Origin | Bradford, Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | Pop rock, soft rock, glam rock[1] |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | Rak EMI/BMG RSO |
| Members | Martin Bullard Steve Pinnell Mick McConnell Pete Lincoln |
| Past members | Alan Silson Terry Uttley Chris Norman Ron Kelly Arthur Higgins Pete Spencer Alan Barton Mike Craft |
| Website | www.smokie.co.uk |
Smokie (originally spelt Smokey) are an English rock band from Bradford, Yorkshire. The band found success at home and abroad after teaming up with Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. They have had a number of line-up changes and were still actively touring in 2018. Their most popular hit single, «Living Next Door to Alice», peaked at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart[2] and, in March 1977, reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as going to No. 1 on the Australian singles chart.[3] Other hit singles include «If You Think You Know How to Love Me», «Oh Carol», «Lay Back in the Arms of Someone», and «I’ll Meet You at Midnight».
History[edit]
Early years[edit]
The band was formed as «The Yen» after a chance meeting between Ron Kelly and Alan Silson in Moore’s Music Shop, North Parade, Bradford, in October 1963. Two days after that meeting they were joined by Chris Norman for rehearsals, but without finding a suitable bass player, just practiced together for a year. The addition of Terry Uttley on bass guitar at the beginning of 1965 completed the line-up and The Yen’s first gig was at Birkenshaw School in February 1965. It was composed of Chris Norman (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Terry Uttley (bass/vocals), Alan Silson (lead guitar/vocals), and Ron Kelly[4] (drums). They were renamed «The Sphynx», and later «Essence». As Essence, they toured small clubs in Bradford and the surrounding communities before they split in 1966. The Black Cats were already a working band when Ron Kelly joined them at Dewsbury College in September 1966. The Black Cats at this time were Peter Eastwood on guitar/vocals and Arthur Higgins on bass. Kelly replaced the drummer they had at the time. Alan Silson and Pete Eastwood joined the band, but the latter soon left and was replaced by Chris Norman. In November 1967 the band changed their name to «The Four Corners».
In April 1968, the group found a manager in Mark Jordan, who advised them to rename themselves «The Elizabethans». The group now became fully professional, and the members garnered higher salaries. In June 1968, Terry Uttley joined the group as a replacement for Arthur Higgins, who had left the band in order to carry on his education. On 9 December 1968 the group had their first TV appearance on Yorkshire Television’s news and magazine show Calendar. In August 1969, the four performed two songs for the BBC show High Jinx. Enthused with this successful performance, Jordan had them record their first demo tape. In January 1970, RCA Records showed an interest in the band and suggested a name change to «Kindness». The double A-side «Light of Love»/»Lindy Lou» was released on 3 April 1970.
An arrangement was made with Ronnie Storm (no connection to Rory Storm) to back him on the single release «My Desire», and it was released under the pseudonym «Fuzzy and The Barnets» due to contractual difficulties encountered by Storm. At the same time Steve Rowland, of Family Dogg, heard the band playing live on Radio One Club and offered to sign them to his production company. He arranged for Albert Hammond, who was also in Family Dogg, to write a number for the band, entitled «It Never Rains in Southern California». However, before it could be released, Hammond decided to record it himself, for which Kelly was recruited by Steve Rowland to play drums. Hammond wrote other songs for the band, and a single «You Ring a Bell»/»Have You Met Angela» was recorded, but due to various problems in Rowland’s organisation, it was not released. In late 1971 the band’s management was taken over by Dave Eager, the BBC Radio One DJ, at the same time that Norman suffered a serious infection that affected his vocal cords. After his recovery, his voice sounded much rougher, which the other group members considered an interesting addition to their sound. Eager introduced them to Decca, which resulted in recordings in February 1972, their first single being «Oh Julie»/»I Love You Carolina». Shortly thereafter, their next single was released. «Let the Good Times Roll» was liked by the media and was selected as the opening theme for Emperor Rosko’s BBC Radio One Saturday show, but this popularity did not translate into record sales. The last Decca single was «Make it Better»/»Lonely Long Lady», which flopped, and their Decca contract was cancelled.
Rise to fame[edit]
During the band’s Decca contract, Eager used his contacts with the Manchester-based agency Kennedy Street Enterprises, to gain the band an audition to be Peter Noone’s backing band. The band were asked to become his permanent band after their audition at Noone’s House in Denham, Buckinghamshire, and soon they embarked on a nationwide tour with him. Noone did not bring the boys any luck, but during the tour Bill Hurley offered to manage them. Hurley convinced Eager to release the boys from the contract with him. Ron Kelly left Kindness on 8 August 1973 and the band recruited an old school friend, Pete Spencer (drums/vocals), who had played in various groups, to drum for them. This line-up performed on a sightseeing boat in Frankfurt, Germany. Hurley introduced the band to composers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who also wrote songs for glam rock contemporaries Sweet, Mud, and Suzi Quatro. At first «Chinnichap» turned them down, but Hurley’s tenacity eventually convinced the composers/producers to give the young group a chance. Hurley and Chinnichap started working with the band, and suggested yet another name change, to «Smokey». An attempt to dress the band up in leather clothes (similar to Suzi Quatro) was dropped, and the four won acceptance for their jeans outfit.
They purchased new instruments and in late 1974 began recording their debut album Pass It Around which was released 14 February 1975. The album spawned the title track as a single but failed to gain significant attention. In April Smokey opened for Pilot on tour.
Height of popularity[edit]
On 22 September 1975, Smokie released their second album, Changing All the Time. The first single from the new album, «If You Think You Know How to Love Me», became a hit in many European countries, peaking at No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] They followed it with «Don’t Play Your Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me».
Around this time, Smokey Robinson threatened to file a lawsuit, alleging that the band’s name would confuse the audience. In order to avoid legal action, the group changed the spelling to «Smokie». They began their first tour as headline act, after the release of their second album.
The third LP was partly produced in the US, where Nicky Chinn had relocated. Called Midnight Café, it built on the popularity of Changing All the Time. The subsequent years yielded a string of successful singles: «Something’s Been Making Me Blue», «Wild Wild Angels», and «I’ll Meet You At Midnight». Their cover of Australian band New World’s single, «Living Next Door to Alice», released in November 1976, reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart, followed by another hit «Lay Back in the Arms of Someone».[2] Smokie now found themselves European superstars,[2] with sold-out tours and million-selling albums. The next two albums, 1977’s Bright Lights & Back Alleys and The Montreux Album (1978), cemented their status and were both chart successes. From Bright Lights & Back Alleys came two hit singles, the reggae influenced «It’s Your Life» and a cover of «Needles and Pins».
At the peak of Smokie’s success in 1978, Chris Norman teamed up with Suzi Quatro and released a duet single, «Stumblin’ In» — another Chinnichap composition. Norman and Quatro were on top of the European charts for some time, and it reached the US Top 10, though only No. 41 in the UK.[5] Smokie’s subsequent 45 was «Mexican Girl». Composed by Norman and Spencer, the record saw the group actively distance itself from Chinnichap. Chris Norman and Pete Spencer wrote and produced the British football star Kevin Keegan’s first single, «Head Over Heels in Love», a No. 31 UK hit.[6]
In 1979, the album The Other Side of the Road was released, entirely recorded in Australia. It spawned two more singles for the band, «Do to Me» and «Babe It’s Up to You», but it became clear that their sales were declining.
Smokie took a hiatus before Solid Ground was released in 1981. The advance single was a cover of Del Shannon’s 1963 hit, «Little Town Flirt» — but it failed to reach the UK Singles Chart.[2]
Chris Norman and Pete Spencer wrote the song «This Time (We’ll Get It Right)» which, recorded by 1982’s England’s World Cup Squad became a No. 2 hit in the UK Singles Chart.[7]
Decline and Norman’s departure[edit]
In early 1982, the last album for EMI/BMG was released, Strangers in Paradise. The departure from Chinnichap became notable, and the four members of Smokie appeared unable to recreate their success using their own material. Shortly after the release of Strangers In Paradise, work began on two parallel albums, one released by Smokie as Midnight Delight,[8] and the other Chris Norman’s solo debut, Rock Away Your Teardrops.[9] Neither release sold well.
In 1983, band members Alan Silson, Chris Norman and Terry Uttley collaborated with Agnetha Fältskog, singing together on the track «Once Burned Twice Shy» from her first English language solo album entitled Wrap Your Arms Around Me. The band say it was on the flight to record this song in Sweden that they decided to part ways. Chris Norman began his solo career and Terry Uttley went on to play bass for several other groups including Peter Goalby and John Coghlan (ex Status Quo drummer). The band said «It just seemed like the right thing to do at the time.»[10]
Though Smokie had begun work on a comeback, in 1986, Norman, by that stage enthused with the relative success of his second solo album, Some Hearts Are Diamonds, announced that he was to leave the band. He was replaced by Alan Barton, formerly of Black Lace, who had been suggested by Chris as a good replacement for the band because of his similar vocal style to Norman’s. Smokie also recruited keyboard player Martin Bullard. Spencer quit and was replaced on drums by Steve Pinnell. The new line-up released All Fired Up in 1988, which brought some attention and contained a new version of «Rock Away Your Tear Drops», the song that had been the title track to Norman’s debut album.[9]
Comeback[edit]
Several releases followed over the next years including Boulevard of Broken Dreams (1989, seven weeks at No. 1 in Norway;[11] all tracks were produced by Simon Humphrey, except «Young Love», which was produced by Dieter Bohlen); Whose Are These Boots? (1990, No. 1 in Norway);[12] Chasing Shadows (1992); and Celebration (1994), which contained old hits in new arrangements accompanied by an orchestra. None had any real success in the UK. However, Smokie made a surprise return to the UK Singles Chart in 1995, with a duet with the controversial northern comedian Roy Chubby Brown. The re-worked re-release of «Living Next Door To Alice (Who the F**k is Alice)» reached No. 3 in the UK.[2] The band had noticed that, whilst touring in Ireland, whenever they sang the main line «For 24 years/I’ve been living next door to Alice» the audience would shout «Alice? Who the fuck is Alice?» In addition, a resident DJ in a Dutch café, Gompie, organised a recording, and had a No. 17 UK hit with the title of «Alice (Who the X is Alice) (Living Next Door to Alice)» in the United Kingdom,[13] and in the Netherlands where it reached No. 1.
Shortly after the song was recorded Smokie’s tour bus careered off of the road during a hailstorm in Germany. Barton, badly injured, died after five days in intensive care.[14] The rest of the band and Brown agreed to donate their royalties from the song to Barton’s first wife.[citation needed]
1990s–present[edit]
The remaining members decided to continue with the band and went about finding their third lead singer. Friend of the band Mike Craft was chosen. The band released The World and Elsewhere later that year, followed by Light a Candle — The Christmas Album.
In 1996, Alan Silson terminated his membership, saying he intended to pursue a solo career and to work with other acts as well, joining Mickey Finn’s T. Rex, and that he also no longer wanted to be on the road all the time. Mick McConnell, one of the band’s road crew and their guitar technician replaced him as the group’s new lead guitarist, this formation recording the next album, Wild Horses – The Nashville Album (1998), in Nashville, Tennessee.[15] In February 2001, Smokie released two albums, Uncovered and Uncovered Too, which consist entirely of cover versions, with no original songs.
In 2004, Smokie recorded a studio album, On the Wire, with eleven of the 14 songs written by the band themselves. In 2006, the band released the album From the Heart. Although mainly a compilation, it did contain three new tracks.
In 2010, Smokie gained new chart success with a CD of brand new material, Take a Minute. Released in Denmark in August of that year, it peaked at No. 3 on the Danish Albums Chart.[16] Releases in the remainder of Scandinavia and Germany took place during October, with the single «Sally’s Song (The Legacy Goes On)»[17] — a continuation of the story of the other character in «Living Next Door to Alice» — also released.
On 16 April 2021 it was announced that Mike Craft left the band, after 26 years. He was replaced by Pete Lincoln, former member of Andy Scott’s Sweet.
Uttley died on 16 December 2021, at the age of 70. At the time of his death, he was the last remaining original member who was still active with the band.[18]
Personnel[edit]
Members[edit]
|
|
Line-ups[edit]
| 1964–1966 |
|
|---|---|
| 1966–1968 |
|
| 1968–1973 |
|
| 1973–1986 |
|
| 1986–1995 |
|
| 1995–1996 |
|
| 1996–2021 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2021–present |
|
Discography[edit]
- Pass It Around (1975)
- Changing All the Time (1975)
- Midnight Café (1976)
- Bright Lights & Back Alleys (1977)
- The Montreux Album (1978)
- The Other Side of the Road (1979)
- Solid Ground (1981)
- Strangers in Paradise (1982)
- Midnight Delight (1982)
- All Fired Up (1988)
- Boulevard of Broken Dreams (1989)
- Whose Are These Boots? (1990)
- Chasing Shadows (1992)
- Burnin’ Ambition (1993)
- The World and Elsewhere (1995)
- Light A Candle (1996)
- Wild Horses – The Nashville Album (1998)
- Uncovered (2000)
- Uncovered Too (2001)
- On the Wire (2004)
- Take a Minute (2010)[19]
References[edit]
- ^ «Smokie | Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio». AllMusic. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 510. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ John Bush. «Smokie | Awards». AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ [1] Archived 24 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 444. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 297. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 184. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ «Smokie — Midnight Delight (Vinyl, LP, Album)». Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ a b «Chris Norman — Rock Away Your Teardrops (Vinyl, LP, Album)». Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ «Biography». Smokie.co.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
- ^ «norwegiancharts.com — Smokie — Boulevard Of Broken Dreams». Retrieved 21 October 2017.
- ^ «norwegiancharts.com — Smokie — Whose Are These Boots?». Retrieved 21 October 2017.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 231. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ «Entertainment | ‘Worst song’ Agadoo re-released». BBC News. 30 March 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ «Smokie — Wild Horses — The Nashville Album (CD, Album)». Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ «Take a Minute chart position in Denmark». IFPI Denmark.
- ^ «Smokie — Sally’s Song (The Legacy Goes On) (CD)». Discogs.com. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ Rensmo, Mattias (18 December 2021). «Smokies sista kvarvarande originalmedlem död». Sverige Radio. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
- ^ «Smokie | Album Discography». AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Smokie.
- Smokie biography at AllMusic
- Smokie discography at Discogs
- Smokie Discography 1975-1982
- Smokie at IMDb
- Smokie fanclub
|
Smokie |
|
|---|---|
|
Smokie performing in Einsiedel, Germany in June 2009 |
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Smokey |
| Origin | Bradford, Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | Pop rock, soft rock, glam rock[1] |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | Rak EMI/BMG RSO |
| Members | Martin Bullard Steve Pinnell Mick McConnell Pete Lincoln |
| Past members | Alan Silson Terry Uttley Chris Norman Ron Kelly Arthur Higgins Pete Spencer Alan Barton Mike Craft |
| Website | www.smokie.co.uk |
Smokie (originally spelt Smokey) are an English rock band from Bradford, Yorkshire. The band found success at home and abroad after teaming up with Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. They have had a number of line-up changes and were still actively touring in 2018. Their most popular hit single, «Living Next Door to Alice», peaked at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart[2] and, in March 1977, reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as going to No. 1 on the Australian singles chart.[3] Other hit singles include «If You Think You Know How to Love Me», «Oh Carol», «Lay Back in the Arms of Someone», and «I’ll Meet You at Midnight».
History[edit]
Early years[edit]
The band was formed as «The Yen» after a chance meeting between Ron Kelly and Alan Silson in Moore’s Music Shop, North Parade, Bradford, in October 1963. Two days after that meeting they were joined by Chris Norman for rehearsals, but without finding a suitable bass player, just practiced together for a year. The addition of Terry Uttley on bass guitar at the beginning of 1965 completed the line-up and The Yen’s first gig was at Birkenshaw School in February 1965. It was composed of Chris Norman (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Terry Uttley (bass/vocals), Alan Silson (lead guitar/vocals), and Ron Kelly[4] (drums). They were renamed «The Sphynx», and later «Essence». As Essence, they toured small clubs in Bradford and the surrounding communities before they split in 1966. The Black Cats were already a working band when Ron Kelly joined them at Dewsbury College in September 1966. The Black Cats at this time were Peter Eastwood on guitar/vocals and Arthur Higgins on bass. Kelly replaced the drummer they had at the time. Alan Silson and Pete Eastwood joined the band, but the latter soon left and was replaced by Chris Norman. In November 1967 the band changed their name to «The Four Corners».
In April 1968, the group found a manager in Mark Jordan, who advised them to rename themselves «The Elizabethans». The group now became fully professional, and the members garnered higher salaries. In June 1968, Terry Uttley joined the group as a replacement for Arthur Higgins, who had left the band in order to carry on his education. On 9 December 1968 the group had their first TV appearance on Yorkshire Television’s news and magazine show Calendar. In August 1969, the four performed two songs for the BBC show High Jinx. Enthused with this successful performance, Jordan had them record their first demo tape. In January 1970, RCA Records showed an interest in the band and suggested a name change to «Kindness». The double A-side «Light of Love»/»Lindy Lou» was released on 3 April 1970.
An arrangement was made with Ronnie Storm (no connection to Rory Storm) to back him on the single release «My Desire», and it was released under the pseudonym «Fuzzy and The Barnets» due to contractual difficulties encountered by Storm. At the same time Steve Rowland, of Family Dogg, heard the band playing live on Radio One Club and offered to sign them to his production company. He arranged for Albert Hammond, who was also in Family Dogg, to write a number for the band, entitled «It Never Rains in Southern California». However, before it could be released, Hammond decided to record it himself, for which Kelly was recruited by Steve Rowland to play drums. Hammond wrote other songs for the band, and a single «You Ring a Bell»/»Have You Met Angela» was recorded, but due to various problems in Rowland’s organisation, it was not released. In late 1971 the band’s management was taken over by Dave Eager, the BBC Radio One DJ, at the same time that Norman suffered a serious infection that affected his vocal cords. After his recovery, his voice sounded much rougher, which the other group members considered an interesting addition to their sound. Eager introduced them to Decca, which resulted in recordings in February 1972, their first single being «Oh Julie»/»I Love You Carolina». Shortly thereafter, their next single was released. «Let the Good Times Roll» was liked by the media and was selected as the opening theme for Emperor Rosko’s BBC Radio One Saturday show, but this popularity did not translate into record sales. The last Decca single was «Make it Better»/»Lonely Long Lady», which flopped, and their Decca contract was cancelled.
Rise to fame[edit]
During the band’s Decca contract, Eager used his contacts with the Manchester-based agency Kennedy Street Enterprises, to gain the band an audition to be Peter Noone’s backing band. The band were asked to become his permanent band after their audition at Noone’s House in Denham, Buckinghamshire, and soon they embarked on a nationwide tour with him. Noone did not bring the boys any luck, but during the tour Bill Hurley offered to manage them. Hurley convinced Eager to release the boys from the contract with him. Ron Kelly left Kindness on 8 August 1973 and the band recruited an old school friend, Pete Spencer (drums/vocals), who had played in various groups, to drum for them. This line-up performed on a sightseeing boat in Frankfurt, Germany. Hurley introduced the band to composers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who also wrote songs for glam rock contemporaries Sweet, Mud, and Suzi Quatro. At first «Chinnichap» turned them down, but Hurley’s tenacity eventually convinced the composers/producers to give the young group a chance. Hurley and Chinnichap started working with the band, and suggested yet another name change, to «Smokey». An attempt to dress the band up in leather clothes (similar to Suzi Quatro) was dropped, and the four won acceptance for their jeans outfit.
They purchased new instruments and in late 1974 began recording their debut album Pass It Around which was released 14 February 1975. The album spawned the title track as a single but failed to gain significant attention. In April Smokey opened for Pilot on tour.
Height of popularity[edit]
On 22 September 1975, Smokie released their second album, Changing All the Time. The first single from the new album, «If You Think You Know How to Love Me», became a hit in many European countries, peaking at No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] They followed it with «Don’t Play Your Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me».
Around this time, Smokey Robinson threatened to file a lawsuit, alleging that the band’s name would confuse the audience. In order to avoid legal action, the group changed the spelling to «Smokie». They began their first tour as headline act, after the release of their second album.
The third LP was partly produced in the US, where Nicky Chinn had relocated. Called Midnight Café, it built on the popularity of Changing All the Time. The subsequent years yielded a string of successful singles: «Something’s Been Making Me Blue», «Wild Wild Angels», and «I’ll Meet You At Midnight». Their cover of Australian band New World’s single, «Living Next Door to Alice», released in November 1976, reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart, followed by another hit «Lay Back in the Arms of Someone».[2] Smokie now found themselves European superstars,[2] with sold-out tours and million-selling albums. The next two albums, 1977’s Bright Lights & Back Alleys and The Montreux Album (1978), cemented their status and were both chart successes. From Bright Lights & Back Alleys came two hit singles, the reggae influenced «It’s Your Life» and a cover of «Needles and Pins».
At the peak of Smokie’s success in 1978, Chris Norman teamed up with Suzi Quatro and released a duet single, «Stumblin’ In» — another Chinnichap composition. Norman and Quatro were on top of the European charts for some time, and it reached the US Top 10, though only No. 41 in the UK.[5] Smokie’s subsequent 45 was «Mexican Girl». Composed by Norman and Spencer, the record saw the group actively distance itself from Chinnichap. Chris Norman and Pete Spencer wrote and produced the British football star Kevin Keegan’s first single, «Head Over Heels in Love», a No. 31 UK hit.[6]
In 1979, the album The Other Side of the Road was released, entirely recorded in Australia. It spawned two more singles for the band, «Do to Me» and «Babe It’s Up to You», but it became clear that their sales were declining.
Smokie took a hiatus before Solid Ground was released in 1981. The advance single was a cover of Del Shannon’s 1963 hit, «Little Town Flirt» — but it failed to reach the UK Singles Chart.[2]
Chris Norman and Pete Spencer wrote the song «This Time (We’ll Get It Right)» which, recorded by 1982’s England’s World Cup Squad became a No. 2 hit in the UK Singles Chart.[7]
Decline and Norman’s departure[edit]
In early 1982, the last album for EMI/BMG was released, Strangers in Paradise. The departure from Chinnichap became notable, and the four members of Smokie appeared unable to recreate their success using their own material. Shortly after the release of Strangers In Paradise, work began on two parallel albums, one released by Smokie as Midnight Delight,[8] and the other Chris Norman’s solo debut, Rock Away Your Teardrops.[9] Neither release sold well.
In 1983, band members Alan Silson, Chris Norman and Terry Uttley collaborated with Agnetha Fältskog, singing together on the track «Once Burned Twice Shy» from her first English language solo album entitled Wrap Your Arms Around Me. The band say it was on the flight to record this song in Sweden that they decided to part ways. Chris Norman began his solo career and Terry Uttley went on to play bass for several other groups including Peter Goalby and John Coghlan (ex Status Quo drummer). The band said «It just seemed like the right thing to do at the time.»[10]
Though Smokie had begun work on a comeback, in 1986, Norman, by that stage enthused with the relative success of his second solo album, Some Hearts Are Diamonds, announced that he was to leave the band. He was replaced by Alan Barton, formerly of Black Lace, who had been suggested by Chris as a good replacement for the band because of his similar vocal style to Norman’s. Smokie also recruited keyboard player Martin Bullard. Spencer quit and was replaced on drums by Steve Pinnell. The new line-up released All Fired Up in 1988, which brought some attention and contained a new version of «Rock Away Your Tear Drops», the song that had been the title track to Norman’s debut album.[9]
Comeback[edit]
Several releases followed over the next years including Boulevard of Broken Dreams (1989, seven weeks at No. 1 in Norway;[11] all tracks were produced by Simon Humphrey, except «Young Love», which was produced by Dieter Bohlen); Whose Are These Boots? (1990, No. 1 in Norway);[12] Chasing Shadows (1992); and Celebration (1994), which contained old hits in new arrangements accompanied by an orchestra. None had any real success in the UK. However, Smokie made a surprise return to the UK Singles Chart in 1995, with a duet with the controversial northern comedian Roy Chubby Brown. The re-worked re-release of «Living Next Door To Alice (Who the F**k is Alice)» reached No. 3 in the UK.[2] The band had noticed that, whilst touring in Ireland, whenever they sang the main line «For 24 years/I’ve been living next door to Alice» the audience would shout «Alice? Who the fuck is Alice?» In addition, a resident DJ in a Dutch café, Gompie, organised a recording, and had a No. 17 UK hit with the title of «Alice (Who the X is Alice) (Living Next Door to Alice)» in the United Kingdom,[13] and in the Netherlands where it reached No. 1.
Shortly after the song was recorded Smokie’s tour bus careered off of the road during a hailstorm in Germany. Barton, badly injured, died after five days in intensive care.[14] The rest of the band and Brown agreed to donate their royalties from the song to Barton’s first wife.[citation needed]
1990s–present[edit]
The remaining members decided to continue with the band and went about finding their third lead singer. Friend of the band Mike Craft was chosen. The band released The World and Elsewhere later that year, followed by Light a Candle — The Christmas Album.
In 1996, Alan Silson terminated his membership, saying he intended to pursue a solo career and to work with other acts as well, joining Mickey Finn’s T. Rex, and that he also no longer wanted to be on the road all the time. Mick McConnell, one of the band’s road crew and their guitar technician replaced him as the group’s new lead guitarist, this formation recording the next album, Wild Horses – The Nashville Album (1998), in Nashville, Tennessee.[15] In February 2001, Smokie released two albums, Uncovered and Uncovered Too, which consist entirely of cover versions, with no original songs.
In 2004, Smokie recorded a studio album, On the Wire, with eleven of the 14 songs written by the band themselves. In 2006, the band released the album From the Heart. Although mainly a compilation, it did contain three new tracks.
In 2010, Smokie gained new chart success with a CD of brand new material, Take a Minute. Released in Denmark in August of that year, it peaked at No. 3 on the Danish Albums Chart.[16] Releases in the remainder of Scandinavia and Germany took place during October, with the single «Sally’s Song (The Legacy Goes On)»[17] — a continuation of the story of the other character in «Living Next Door to Alice» — also released.
On 16 April 2021 it was announced that Mike Craft left the band, after 26 years. He was replaced by Pete Lincoln, former member of Andy Scott’s Sweet.
Uttley died on 16 December 2021, at the age of 70. At the time of his death, he was the last remaining original member who was still active with the band.[18]
Personnel[edit]
Members[edit]
|
|
Line-ups[edit]
| 1964–1966 |
|
|---|---|
| 1966–1968 |
|
| 1968–1973 |
|
| 1973–1986 |
|
| 1986–1995 |
|
| 1995–1996 |
|
| 1996–2021 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2021–present |
|
Discography[edit]
- Pass It Around (1975)
- Changing All the Time (1975)
- Midnight Café (1976)
- Bright Lights & Back Alleys (1977)
- The Montreux Album (1978)
- The Other Side of the Road (1979)
- Solid Ground (1981)
- Strangers in Paradise (1982)
- Midnight Delight (1982)
- All Fired Up (1988)
- Boulevard of Broken Dreams (1989)
- Whose Are These Boots? (1990)
- Chasing Shadows (1992)
- Burnin’ Ambition (1993)
- The World and Elsewhere (1995)
- Light A Candle (1996)
- Wild Horses – The Nashville Album (1998)
- Uncovered (2000)
- Uncovered Too (2001)
- On the Wire (2004)
- Take a Minute (2010)[19]
References[edit]
- ^ «Smokie | Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio». AllMusic. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 510. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ John Bush. «Smokie | Awards». AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ [1] Archived 24 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 444. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 297. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 184. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ «Smokie — Midnight Delight (Vinyl, LP, Album)». Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ a b «Chris Norman — Rock Away Your Teardrops (Vinyl, LP, Album)». Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ «Biography». Smokie.co.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
- ^ «norwegiancharts.com — Smokie — Boulevard Of Broken Dreams». Retrieved 21 October 2017.
- ^ «norwegiancharts.com — Smokie — Whose Are These Boots?». Retrieved 21 October 2017.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 231. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ «Entertainment | ‘Worst song’ Agadoo re-released». BBC News. 30 March 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ «Smokie — Wild Horses — The Nashville Album (CD, Album)». Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ «Take a Minute chart position in Denmark». IFPI Denmark.
- ^ «Smokie — Sally’s Song (The Legacy Goes On) (CD)». Discogs.com. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ Rensmo, Mattias (18 December 2021). «Smokies sista kvarvarande originalmedlem död». Sverige Radio. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
- ^ «Smokie | Album Discography». AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Smokie.
- Smokie biography at AllMusic
- Smokie discography at Discogs
- Smokie Discography 1975-1982
- Smokie at IMDb
- Smokie fanclub
|
Smokie |
|
|---|---|
|
Smokie performing in Einsiedel, Germany in June 2009 |
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Smokey |
| Origin | Bradford, Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | Pop rock, soft rock, glam rock[1] |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | Rak EMI/BMG RSO |
| Members | Martin Bullard Steve Pinnell Mick McConnell Pete Lincoln |
| Past members | Alan Silson Terry Uttley Chris Norman Ron Kelly Arthur Higgins Pete Spencer Alan Barton Mike Craft |
| Website | www.smokie.co.uk |
Smokie (originally spelt Smokey) are an English rock band from Bradford, Yorkshire. The band found success at home and abroad after teaming up with Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. They have had a number of line-up changes and were still actively touring in 2018. Their most popular hit single, «Living Next Door to Alice», peaked at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart[2] and, in March 1977, reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as going to No. 1 on the Australian singles chart.[3] Other hit singles include «If You Think You Know How to Love Me», «Oh Carol», «Lay Back in the Arms of Someone», and «I’ll Meet You at Midnight».
History[edit]
Early years[edit]
The band was formed as «The Yen» after a chance meeting between Ron Kelly and Alan Silson in Moore’s Music Shop, North Parade, Bradford, in October 1963. Two days after that meeting they were joined by Chris Norman for rehearsals, but without finding a suitable bass player, just practiced together for a year. The addition of Terry Uttley on bass guitar at the beginning of 1965 completed the line-up and The Yen’s first gig was at Birkenshaw School in February 1965. It was composed of Chris Norman (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Terry Uttley (bass/vocals), Alan Silson (lead guitar/vocals), and Ron Kelly[4] (drums). They were renamed «The Sphynx», and later «Essence». As Essence, they toured small clubs in Bradford and the surrounding communities before they split in 1966. The Black Cats were already a working band when Ron Kelly joined them at Dewsbury College in September 1966. The Black Cats at this time were Peter Eastwood on guitar/vocals and Arthur Higgins on bass. Kelly replaced the drummer they had at the time. Alan Silson and Pete Eastwood joined the band, but the latter soon left and was replaced by Chris Norman. In November 1967 the band changed their name to «The Four Corners».
In April 1968, the group found a manager in Mark Jordan, who advised them to rename themselves «The Elizabethans». The group now became fully professional, and the members garnered higher salaries. In June 1968, Terry Uttley joined the group as a replacement for Arthur Higgins, who had left the band in order to carry on his education. On 9 December 1968 the group had their first TV appearance on Yorkshire Television’s news and magazine show Calendar. In August 1969, the four performed two songs for the BBC show High Jinx. Enthused with this successful performance, Jordan had them record their first demo tape. In January 1970, RCA Records showed an interest in the band and suggested a name change to «Kindness». The double A-side «Light of Love»/»Lindy Lou» was released on 3 April 1970.
An arrangement was made with Ronnie Storm (no connection to Rory Storm) to back him on the single release «My Desire», and it was released under the pseudonym «Fuzzy and The Barnets» due to contractual difficulties encountered by Storm. At the same time Steve Rowland, of Family Dogg, heard the band playing live on Radio One Club and offered to sign them to his production company. He arranged for Albert Hammond, who was also in Family Dogg, to write a number for the band, entitled «It Never Rains in Southern California». However, before it could be released, Hammond decided to record it himself, for which Kelly was recruited by Steve Rowland to play drums. Hammond wrote other songs for the band, and a single «You Ring a Bell»/»Have You Met Angela» was recorded, but due to various problems in Rowland’s organisation, it was not released. In late 1971 the band’s management was taken over by Dave Eager, the BBC Radio One DJ, at the same time that Norman suffered a serious infection that affected his vocal cords. After his recovery, his voice sounded much rougher, which the other group members considered an interesting addition to their sound. Eager introduced them to Decca, which resulted in recordings in February 1972, their first single being «Oh Julie»/»I Love You Carolina». Shortly thereafter, their next single was released. «Let the Good Times Roll» was liked by the media and was selected as the opening theme for Emperor Rosko’s BBC Radio One Saturday show, but this popularity did not translate into record sales. The last Decca single was «Make it Better»/»Lonely Long Lady», which flopped, and their Decca contract was cancelled.
Rise to fame[edit]
During the band’s Decca contract, Eager used his contacts with the Manchester-based agency Kennedy Street Enterprises, to gain the band an audition to be Peter Noone’s backing band. The band were asked to become his permanent band after their audition at Noone’s House in Denham, Buckinghamshire, and soon they embarked on a nationwide tour with him. Noone did not bring the boys any luck, but during the tour Bill Hurley offered to manage them. Hurley convinced Eager to release the boys from the contract with him. Ron Kelly left Kindness on 8 August 1973 and the band recruited an old school friend, Pete Spencer (drums/vocals), who had played in various groups, to drum for them. This line-up performed on a sightseeing boat in Frankfurt, Germany. Hurley introduced the band to composers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who also wrote songs for glam rock contemporaries Sweet, Mud, and Suzi Quatro. At first «Chinnichap» turned them down, but Hurley’s tenacity eventually convinced the composers/producers to give the young group a chance. Hurley and Chinnichap started working with the band, and suggested yet another name change, to «Smokey». An attempt to dress the band up in leather clothes (similar to Suzi Quatro) was dropped, and the four won acceptance for their jeans outfit.
They purchased new instruments and in late 1974 began recording their debut album Pass It Around which was released 14 February 1975. The album spawned the title track as a single but failed to gain significant attention. In April Smokey opened for Pilot on tour.
Height of popularity[edit]
On 22 September 1975, Smokie released their second album, Changing All the Time. The first single from the new album, «If You Think You Know How to Love Me», became a hit in many European countries, peaking at No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] They followed it with «Don’t Play Your Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me».
Around this time, Smokey Robinson threatened to file a lawsuit, alleging that the band’s name would confuse the audience. In order to avoid legal action, the group changed the spelling to «Smokie». They began their first tour as headline act, after the release of their second album.
The third LP was partly produced in the US, where Nicky Chinn had relocated. Called Midnight Café, it built on the popularity of Changing All the Time. The subsequent years yielded a string of successful singles: «Something’s Been Making Me Blue», «Wild Wild Angels», and «I’ll Meet You At Midnight». Their cover of Australian band New World’s single, «Living Next Door to Alice», released in November 1976, reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart, followed by another hit «Lay Back in the Arms of Someone».[2] Smokie now found themselves European superstars,[2] with sold-out tours and million-selling albums. The next two albums, 1977’s Bright Lights & Back Alleys and The Montreux Album (1978), cemented their status and were both chart successes. From Bright Lights & Back Alleys came two hit singles, the reggae influenced «It’s Your Life» and a cover of «Needles and Pins».
At the peak of Smokie’s success in 1978, Chris Norman teamed up with Suzi Quatro and released a duet single, «Stumblin’ In» — another Chinnichap composition. Norman and Quatro were on top of the European charts for some time, and it reached the US Top 10, though only No. 41 in the UK.[5] Smokie’s subsequent 45 was «Mexican Girl». Composed by Norman and Spencer, the record saw the group actively distance itself from Chinnichap. Chris Norman and Pete Spencer wrote and produced the British football star Kevin Keegan’s first single, «Head Over Heels in Love», a No. 31 UK hit.[6]
In 1979, the album The Other Side of the Road was released, entirely recorded in Australia. It spawned two more singles for the band, «Do to Me» and «Babe It’s Up to You», but it became clear that their sales were declining.
Smokie took a hiatus before Solid Ground was released in 1981. The advance single was a cover of Del Shannon’s 1963 hit, «Little Town Flirt» — but it failed to reach the UK Singles Chart.[2]
Chris Norman and Pete Spencer wrote the song «This Time (We’ll Get It Right)» which, recorded by 1982’s England’s World Cup Squad became a No. 2 hit in the UK Singles Chart.[7]
Decline and Norman’s departure[edit]
In early 1982, the last album for EMI/BMG was released, Strangers in Paradise. The departure from Chinnichap became notable, and the four members of Smokie appeared unable to recreate their success using their own material. Shortly after the release of Strangers In Paradise, work began on two parallel albums, one released by Smokie as Midnight Delight,[8] and the other Chris Norman’s solo debut, Rock Away Your Teardrops.[9] Neither release sold well.
In 1983, band members Alan Silson, Chris Norman and Terry Uttley collaborated with Agnetha Fältskog, singing together on the track «Once Burned Twice Shy» from her first English language solo album entitled Wrap Your Arms Around Me. The band say it was on the flight to record this song in Sweden that they decided to part ways. Chris Norman began his solo career and Terry Uttley went on to play bass for several other groups including Peter Goalby and John Coghlan (ex Status Quo drummer). The band said «It just seemed like the right thing to do at the time.»[10]
Though Smokie had begun work on a comeback, in 1986, Norman, by that stage enthused with the relative success of his second solo album, Some Hearts Are Diamonds, announced that he was to leave the band. He was replaced by Alan Barton, formerly of Black Lace, who had been suggested by Chris as a good replacement for the band because of his similar vocal style to Norman’s. Smokie also recruited keyboard player Martin Bullard. Spencer quit and was replaced on drums by Steve Pinnell. The new line-up released All Fired Up in 1988, which brought some attention and contained a new version of «Rock Away Your Tear Drops», the song that had been the title track to Norman’s debut album.[9]
Comeback[edit]
Several releases followed over the next years including Boulevard of Broken Dreams (1989, seven weeks at No. 1 in Norway;[11] all tracks were produced by Simon Humphrey, except «Young Love», which was produced by Dieter Bohlen); Whose Are These Boots? (1990, No. 1 in Norway);[12] Chasing Shadows (1992); and Celebration (1994), which contained old hits in new arrangements accompanied by an orchestra. None had any real success in the UK. However, Smokie made a surprise return to the UK Singles Chart in 1995, with a duet with the controversial northern comedian Roy Chubby Brown. The re-worked re-release of «Living Next Door To Alice (Who the F**k is Alice)» reached No. 3 in the UK.[2] The band had noticed that, whilst touring in Ireland, whenever they sang the main line «For 24 years/I’ve been living next door to Alice» the audience would shout «Alice? Who the fuck is Alice?» In addition, a resident DJ in a Dutch café, Gompie, organised a recording, and had a No. 17 UK hit with the title of «Alice (Who the X is Alice) (Living Next Door to Alice)» in the United Kingdom,[13] and in the Netherlands where it reached No. 1.
Shortly after the song was recorded Smokie’s tour bus careered off of the road during a hailstorm in Germany. Barton, badly injured, died after five days in intensive care.[14] The rest of the band and Brown agreed to donate their royalties from the song to Barton’s first wife.[citation needed]
1990s–present[edit]
The remaining members decided to continue with the band and went about finding their third lead singer. Friend of the band Mike Craft was chosen. The band released The World and Elsewhere later that year, followed by Light a Candle — The Christmas Album.
In 1996, Alan Silson terminated his membership, saying he intended to pursue a solo career and to work with other acts as well, joining Mickey Finn’s T. Rex, and that he also no longer wanted to be on the road all the time. Mick McConnell, one of the band’s road crew and their guitar technician replaced him as the group’s new lead guitarist, this formation recording the next album, Wild Horses – The Nashville Album (1998), in Nashville, Tennessee.[15] In February 2001, Smokie released two albums, Uncovered and Uncovered Too, which consist entirely of cover versions, with no original songs.
In 2004, Smokie recorded a studio album, On the Wire, with eleven of the 14 songs written by the band themselves. In 2006, the band released the album From the Heart. Although mainly a compilation, it did contain three new tracks.
In 2010, Smokie gained new chart success with a CD of brand new material, Take a Minute. Released in Denmark in August of that year, it peaked at No. 3 on the Danish Albums Chart.[16] Releases in the remainder of Scandinavia and Germany took place during October, with the single «Sally’s Song (The Legacy Goes On)»[17] — a continuation of the story of the other character in «Living Next Door to Alice» — also released.
On 16 April 2021 it was announced that Mike Craft left the band, after 26 years. He was replaced by Pete Lincoln, former member of Andy Scott’s Sweet.
Uttley died on 16 December 2021, at the age of 70. At the time of his death, he was the last remaining original member who was still active with the band.[18]
Personnel[edit]
Members[edit]
|
|
Line-ups[edit]
| 1964–1966 |
|
|---|---|
| 1966–1968 |
|
| 1968–1973 |
|
| 1973–1986 |
|
| 1986–1995 |
|
| 1995–1996 |
|
| 1996–2021 |
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2021–present |
|
Discography[edit]
- Pass It Around (1975)
- Changing All the Time (1975)
- Midnight Café (1976)
- Bright Lights & Back Alleys (1977)
- The Montreux Album (1978)
- The Other Side of the Road (1979)
- Solid Ground (1981)
- Strangers in Paradise (1982)
- Midnight Delight (1982)
- All Fired Up (1988)
- Boulevard of Broken Dreams (1989)
- Whose Are These Boots? (1990)
- Chasing Shadows (1992)
- Burnin’ Ambition (1993)
- The World and Elsewhere (1995)
- Light A Candle (1996)
- Wild Horses – The Nashville Album (1998)
- Uncovered (2000)
- Uncovered Too (2001)
- On the Wire (2004)
- Take a Minute (2010)[19]
References[edit]
- ^ «Smokie | Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio». AllMusic. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 510. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ John Bush. «Smokie | Awards». AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ [1] Archived 24 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 444. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 297. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 184. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ «Smokie — Midnight Delight (Vinyl, LP, Album)». Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ a b «Chris Norman — Rock Away Your Teardrops (Vinyl, LP, Album)». Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ «Biography». Smokie.co.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
- ^ «norwegiancharts.com — Smokie — Boulevard Of Broken Dreams». Retrieved 21 October 2017.
- ^ «norwegiancharts.com — Smokie — Whose Are These Boots?». Retrieved 21 October 2017.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 231. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ «Entertainment | ‘Worst song’ Agadoo re-released». BBC News. 30 March 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ «Smokie — Wild Horses — The Nashville Album (CD, Album)». Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ «Take a Minute chart position in Denmark». IFPI Denmark.
- ^ «Smokie — Sally’s Song (The Legacy Goes On) (CD)». Discogs.com. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ Rensmo, Mattias (18 December 2021). «Smokies sista kvarvarande originalmedlem död». Sverige Radio. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
- ^ «Smokie | Album Discography». AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Smokie.
- Smokie biography at AllMusic
- Smokie discography at Discogs
- Smokie Discography 1975-1982
- Smokie at IMDb
- Smokie fanclub
|
Smokie |
|
|---|---|
|
Smokie performing in Einsiedel, Germany in June 2009 |
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Smokey |
| Origin | Bradford, Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | Pop rock, soft rock, glam rock[1] |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | Rak EMI/BMG RSO |
| Members | Martin Bullard Steve Pinnell Mick McConnell Pete Lincoln |
| Past members | Alan Silson Terry Uttley Chris Norman Ron Kelly Arthur Higgins Pete Spencer Alan Barton Mike Craft |
| Website | www.smokie.co.uk |
Smokie (originally spelt Smokey) are an English rock band from Bradford, Yorkshire. The band found success at home and abroad after teaming up with Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. They have had a number of line-up changes and were still actively touring in 2018. Their most popular hit single, «Living Next Door to Alice», peaked at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart[2] and, in March 1977, reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as going to No. 1 on the Australian singles chart.[3] Other hit singles include «If You Think You Know How to Love Me», «Oh Carol», «Lay Back in the Arms of Someone», and «I’ll Meet You at Midnight».
History[edit]
Early years[edit]
The band was formed as «The Yen» after a chance meeting between Ron Kelly and Alan Silson in Moore’s Music Shop, North Parade, Bradford, in October 1963. Two days after that meeting they were joined by Chris Norman for rehearsals, but without finding a suitable bass player, just practiced together for a year. The addition of Terry Uttley on bass guitar at the beginning of 1965 completed the line-up and The Yen’s first gig was at Birkenshaw School in February 1965. It was composed of Chris Norman (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Terry Uttley (bass/vocals), Alan Silson (lead guitar/vocals), and Ron Kelly[4] (drums). They were renamed «The Sphynx», and later «Essence». As Essence, they toured small clubs in Bradford and the surrounding communities before they split in 1966. The Black Cats were already a working band when Ron Kelly joined them at Dewsbury College in September 1966. The Black Cats at this time were Peter Eastwood on guitar/vocals and Arthur Higgins on bass. Kelly replaced the drummer they had at the time. Alan Silson and Pete Eastwood joined the band, but the latter soon left and was replaced by Chris Norman. In November 1967 the band changed their name to «The Four Corners».
In April 1968, the group found a manager in Mark Jordan, who advised them to rename themselves «The Elizabethans». The group now became fully professional, and the members garnered higher salaries. In June 1968, Terry Uttley joined the group as a replacement for Arthur Higgins, who had left the band in order to carry on his education. On 9 December 1968 the group had their first TV appearance on Yorkshire Television’s news and magazine show Calendar. In August 1969, the four performed two songs for the BBC show High Jinx. Enthused with this successful performance, Jordan had them record their first demo tape. In January 1970, RCA Records showed an interest in the band and suggested a name change to «Kindness». The double A-side «Light of Love»/»Lindy Lou» was released on 3 April 1970.
An arrangement was made with Ronnie Storm (no connection to Rory Storm) to back him on the single release «My Desire», and it was released under the pseudonym «Fuzzy and The Barnets» due to contractual difficulties encountered by Storm. At the same time Steve Rowland, of Family Dogg, heard the band playing live on Radio One Club and offered to sign them to his production company. He arranged for Albert Hammond, who was also in Family Dogg, to write a number for the band, entitled «It Never Rains in Southern California». However, before it could be released, Hammond decided to record it himself, for which Kelly was recruited by Steve Rowland to play drums. Hammond wrote other songs for the band, and a single «You Ring a Bell»/»Have You Met Angela» was recorded, but due to various problems in Rowland’s organisation, it was not released. In late 1971 the band’s management was taken over by Dave Eager, the BBC Radio One DJ, at the same time that Norman suffered a serious infection that affected his vocal cords. After his recovery, his voice sounded much rougher, which the other group members considered an interesting addition to their sound. Eager introduced them to Decca, which resulted in recordings in February 1972, their first single being «Oh Julie»/»I Love You Carolina». Shortly thereafter, their next single was released. «Let the Good Times Roll» was liked by the media and was selected as the opening theme for Emperor Rosko’s BBC Radio One Saturday show, but this popularity did not translate into record sales. The last Decca single was «Make it Better»/»Lonely Long Lady», which flopped, and their Decca contract was cancelled.
Rise to fame[edit]
During the band’s Decca contract, Eager used his contacts with the Manchester-based agency Kennedy Street Enterprises, to gain the band an audition to be Peter Noone’s backing band. The band were asked to become his permanent band after their audition at Noone’s House in Denham, Buckinghamshire, and soon they embarked on a nationwide tour with him. Noone did not bring the boys any luck, but during the tour Bill Hurley offered to manage them. Hurley convinced Eager to release the boys from the contract with him. Ron Kelly left Kindness on 8 August 1973 and the band recruited an old school friend, Pete Spencer (drums/vocals), who had played in various groups, to drum for them. This line-up performed on a sightseeing boat in Frankfurt, Germany. Hurley introduced the band to composers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who also wrote songs for glam rock contemporaries Sweet, Mud, and Suzi Quatro. At first «Chinnichap» turned them down, but Hurley’s tenacity eventually convinced the composers/producers to give the young group a chance. Hurley and Chinnichap started working with the band, and suggested yet another name change, to «Smokey». An attempt to dress the band up in leather clothes (similar to Suzi Quatro) was dropped, and the four won acceptance for their jeans outfit.
They purchased new instruments and in late 1974 began recording their debut album Pass It Around which was released 14 February 1975. The album spawned the title track as a single but failed to gain significant attention. In April Smokey opened for Pilot on tour.
Height of popularity[edit]
On 22 September 1975, Smokie released their second album, Changing All the Time. The first single from the new album, «If You Think You Know How to Love Me», became a hit in many European countries, peaking at No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] They followed it with «Don’t Play Your Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me».
Around this time, Smokey Robinson threatened to file a lawsuit, alleging that the band’s name would confuse the audience. In order to avoid legal action, the group changed the spelling to «Smokie». They began their first tour as headline act, after the release of their second album.
The third LP was partly produced in the US, where Nicky Chinn had relocated. Called Midnight Café, it built on the popularity of Changing All the Time. The subsequent years yielded a string of successful singles: «Something’s Been Making Me Blue», «Wild Wild Angels», and «I’ll Meet You At Midnight». Their cover of Australian band New World’s single, «Living Next Door to Alice», released in November 1976, reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart, followed by another hit «Lay Back in the Arms of Someone».[2] Smokie now found themselves European superstars,[2] with sold-out tours and million-selling albums. The next two albums, 1977’s Bright Lights & Back Alleys and The Montreux Album (1978), cemented their status and were both chart successes. From Bright Lights & Back Alleys came two hit singles, the reggae influenced «It’s Your Life» and a cover of «Needles and Pins».
At the peak of Smokie’s success in 1978, Chris Norman teamed up with Suzi Quatro and released a duet single, «Stumblin’ In» — another Chinnichap composition. Norman and Quatro were on top of the European charts for some time, and it reached the US Top 10, though only No. 41 in the UK.[5] Smokie’s subsequent 45 was «Mexican Girl». Composed by Norman and Spencer, the record saw the group actively distance itself from Chinnichap. Chris Norman and Pete Spencer wrote and produced the British football star Kevin Keegan’s first single, «Head Over Heels in Love», a No. 31 UK hit.[6]
In 1979, the album The Other Side of the Road was released, entirely recorded in Australia. It spawned two more singles for the band, «Do to Me» and «Babe It’s Up to You», but it became clear that their sales were declining.
Smokie took a hiatus before Solid Ground was released in 1981. The advance single was a cover of Del Shannon’s 1963 hit, «Little Town Flirt» — but it failed to reach the UK Singles Chart.[2]
Chris Norman and Pete Spencer wrote the song «This Time (We’ll Get It Right)» which, recorded by 1982’s England’s World Cup Squad became a No. 2 hit in the UK Singles Chart.[7]
Decline and Norman’s departure[edit]
In early 1982, the last album for EMI/BMG was released, Strangers in Paradise. The departure from Chinnichap became notable, and the four members of Smokie appeared unable to recreate their success using their own material. Shortly after the release of Strangers In Paradise, work began on two parallel albums, one released by Smokie as Midnight Delight,[8] and the other Chris Norman’s solo debut, Rock Away Your Teardrops.[9] Neither release sold well.
In 1983, band members Alan Silson, Chris Norman and Terry Uttley collaborated with Agnetha Fältskog, singing together on the track «Once Burned Twice Shy» from her first English language solo album entitled Wrap Your Arms Around Me. The band say it was on the flight to record this song in Sweden that they decided to part ways. Chris Norman began his solo career and Terry Uttley went on to play bass for several other groups including Peter Goalby and John Coghlan (ex Status Quo drummer). The band said «It just seemed like the right thing to do at the time.»[10]
Though Smokie had begun work on a comeback, in 1986, Norman, by that stage enthused with the relative success of his second solo album, Some Hearts Are Diamonds, announced that he was to leave the band. He was replaced by Alan Barton, formerly of Black Lace, who had been suggested by Chris as a good replacement for the band because of his similar vocal style to Norman’s. Smokie also recruited keyboard player Martin Bullard. Spencer quit and was replaced on drums by Steve Pinnell. The new line-up released All Fired Up in 1988, which brought some attention and contained a new version of «Rock Away Your Tear Drops», the song that had been the title track to Norman’s debut album.[9]
Comeback[edit]
Several releases followed over the next years including Boulevard of Broken Dreams (1989, seven weeks at No. 1 in Norway;[11] all tracks were produced by Simon Humphrey, except «Young Love», which was produced by Dieter Bohlen); Whose Are These Boots? (1990, No. 1 in Norway);[12] Chasing Shadows (1992); and Celebration (1994), which contained old hits in new arrangements accompanied by an orchestra. None had any real success in the UK. However, Smokie made a surprise return to the UK Singles Chart in 1995, with a duet with the controversial northern comedian Roy Chubby Brown. The re-worked re-release of «Living Next Door To Alice (Who the F**k is Alice)» reached No. 3 in the UK.[2] The band had noticed that, whilst touring in Ireland, whenever they sang the main line «For 24 years/I’ve been living next door to Alice» the audience would shout «Alice? Who the fuck is Alice?» In addition, a resident DJ in a Dutch café, Gompie, organised a recording, and had a No. 17 UK hit with the title of «Alice (Who the X is Alice) (Living Next Door to Alice)» in the United Kingdom,[13] and in the Netherlands where it reached No. 1.
Shortly after the song was recorded Smokie’s tour bus careered off of the road during a hailstorm in Germany. Barton, badly injured, died after five days in intensive care.[14] The rest of the band and Brown agreed to donate their royalties from the song to Barton’s first wife.[citation needed]
1990s–present[edit]
The remaining members decided to continue with the band and went about finding their third lead singer. Friend of the band Mike Craft was chosen. The band released The World and Elsewhere later that year, followed by Light a Candle — The Christmas Album.
In 1996, Alan Silson terminated his membership, saying he intended to pursue a solo career and to work with other acts as well, joining Mickey Finn’s T. Rex, and that he also no longer wanted to be on the road all the time. Mick McConnell, one of the band’s road crew and their guitar technician replaced him as the group’s new lead guitarist, this formation recording the next album, Wild Horses – The Nashville Album (1998), in Nashville, Tennessee.[15] In February 2001, Smokie released two albums, Uncovered and Uncovered Too, which consist entirely of cover versions, with no original songs.
In 2004, Smokie recorded a studio album, On the Wire, with eleven of the 14 songs written by the band themselves. In 2006, the band released the album From the Heart. Although mainly a compilation, it did contain three new tracks.
In 2010, Smokie gained new chart success with a CD of brand new material, Take a Minute. Released in Denmark in August of that year, it peaked at No. 3 on the Danish Albums Chart.[16] Releases in the remainder of Scandinavia and Germany took place during October, with the single «Sally’s Song (The Legacy Goes On)»[17] — a continuation of the story of the other character in «Living Next Door to Alice» — also released.
On 16 April 2021 it was announced that Mike Craft left the band, after 26 years. He was replaced by Pete Lincoln, former member of Andy Scott’s Sweet.
Uttley died on 16 December 2021, at the age of 70. At the time of his death, he was the last remaining original member who was still active with the band.[18]
Personnel[edit]
Members[edit]
|
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Line-ups[edit]
| 1964–1966 |
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|---|---|
| 1966–1968 |
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| 1968–1973 |
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| 1973–1986 |
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| 1986–1995 |
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| 1995–1996 |
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| 1996–2021 |
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| 2021 |
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| 2021–present |
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Discography[edit]
- Pass It Around (1975)
- Changing All the Time (1975)
- Midnight Café (1976)
- Bright Lights & Back Alleys (1977)
- The Montreux Album (1978)
- The Other Side of the Road (1979)
- Solid Ground (1981)
- Strangers in Paradise (1982)
- Midnight Delight (1982)
- All Fired Up (1988)
- Boulevard of Broken Dreams (1989)
- Whose Are These Boots? (1990)
- Chasing Shadows (1992)
- Burnin’ Ambition (1993)
- The World and Elsewhere (1995)
- Light A Candle (1996)
- Wild Horses – The Nashville Album (1998)
- Uncovered (2000)
- Uncovered Too (2001)
- On the Wire (2004)
- Take a Minute (2010)[19]
References[edit]
- ^ «Smokie | Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio». AllMusic. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 510. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ John Bush. «Smokie | Awards». AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ [1] Archived 24 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 444. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 297. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 184. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ «Smokie — Midnight Delight (Vinyl, LP, Album)». Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ a b «Chris Norman — Rock Away Your Teardrops (Vinyl, LP, Album)». Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ «Biography». Smokie.co.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
- ^ «norwegiancharts.com — Smokie — Boulevard Of Broken Dreams». Retrieved 21 October 2017.
- ^ «norwegiancharts.com — Smokie — Whose Are These Boots?». Retrieved 21 October 2017.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 231. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ «Entertainment | ‘Worst song’ Agadoo re-released». BBC News. 30 March 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ «Smokie — Wild Horses — The Nashville Album (CD, Album)». Discogs.com. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ «Take a Minute chart position in Denmark». IFPI Denmark.
- ^ «Smokie — Sally’s Song (The Legacy Goes On) (CD)». Discogs.com. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ Rensmo, Mattias (18 December 2021). «Smokies sista kvarvarande originalmedlem död». Sverige Radio. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
- ^ «Smokie | Album Discography». AllMusic. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Smokie.
- Smokie biography at AllMusic
- Smokie discography at Discogs
- Smokie Discography 1975-1982
- Smokie at IMDb
- Smokie fanclub
Слова из английского языка сегодня все чаще становятся для нас обыденными, и мы способны забывать их первоначальное значение. Чтобы этого не случилось, нужно разбираться в происхождении и всех возможных значениях таких терминов. Давайте узнаем, что такое «смоки», ведь это слово в оригинале имеет три варианта написания, а способов перевода в разы больше. Стоит разобраться во всей этой путанице.
Что означает слово smoky
С точки зрения грамматики наиболее правильным написанием данного термина является smoky. Значений у слова «смоки» довольно много, причем при переводе на русский оно может выступать как прилагательным (дымчатый, закоптелый, у американцев — туманный), так и причастием (дымящий, коптящий).
Фактически этим термином можно называть все описания особ или предметов, связанных с дымом и его последствиями (копчение, задымление).
Также на американском сленге так дразнят чернокожих, а в Шотландии называют закуску из копченой рыбы семейства тресковых.
Иногда словом «смоки» именуют кошку серой масти, без полосок. Это типичная короткошерстная британская порода.
Родственные связи smoky и smoke
Разобравшись с тем, что значит «смоки» (smoky), стоит узнать о его отношении к глаголу smoke (курить, дымить). Тут несложно догадаться, что первый был образован от второго. И произошло это довольно давно — еще в начале XIV в.
А вот сам глагол пришел из староанглийского языка, эволюционировав от smoca. Считается, что изначально он был заимствован из древнегреческого (smykhein) и впоследствии проник не только в британский, но и немецкий и датский языки.
Также есть мнение, что это слово могло быть близким к армянскому mux, что в переводе значит «дымить».
Когда говорится о цвете «смоки», какой имеется в виду?
Иногда, читая англоязычные тексты, можно столкнуться с использованием слова smoky как названия оттенка. Естественно, хочется знать, какой это цвет — смоки.
Догадаться об это не так уж и трудно, зная перевод термина.
Как правило, так именуют «дымные» оттенки. Сюда можно отнести всю палитру серого цвета и светлые тона черного.
Smoky и Smokey
Разобравшись с тем, что такое «смоки» и как это слово было образовано, стоит узнать о втором способе его английского написания, а именно о Smokey.
У британцев нередко один и тот же термин может выглядеть по-разному (например, слово «пончик» — donut и doughnut), но при этом его произношение и значение будут абсолютно одинаковыми.
Но смоки — это не тот случай. Дело в том, что Smokey всегда пишется с большой буквы и означает собственное существительное. А точнее, имя.
Популярным оно стало благодаря известному агитационному персонажу в США — мишке Смоки. Кстати, после его появления так даже стали называть детей, чаще всего чернокожих. К примеру, известный американский музыкант и продюсер Смоки Робинсон получил именно такое «дымное» имя.
Так что запомним: эти два слова имеют разные значения, хотя и звучат идентично.
Забавный любимец малышей мишка-рейнджер
Рассматривая, что такое «смоки», стоит немного подробнее остановиться на первом носители этого имени — на буром хранителе леса от пожаров.
Появился он в США в конце Второй мировой войны. Уже изрядно «ощипанные, но не побежденные» японцы пытались напоследок «подложить свинью» американским соседям через океан. Популярной у них была стратегия запуска зажигательных бомб по течению узкой зоны сильного ветра в тропосфере. Так было отправлено около девяти тысяч таких «посылок счастья». Десятая часть из них все же достигла берегов Страны Свободы, став причинами лесных пожаров, как и рассчитывали противники.
Чтобы мобилизировать общественность на борьбу с ними, нужен был символ, и 9 августа 1944 года он появился. Именно в этот день был опубликован первый агитационный плакат художника Альберта Штеле с медведем в джинсах и рейнджерской шляпе по имени Смоки.
В будущие годы его популярность постоянно росла, в особенности среди детской аудитории, для которой была написана песня Smokey the Bear.
Стоит отметить, что данная стратегия оказалась очень эффективной и в мирное время. Поэтому мишка стал легендой, и даже сегодня он продолжает учить пожарной безопасности с плакатов и видео.
Интересно, что у него даже был собственный слоган: «Только ты можешь предотвратить лесные пожары». Правда, в 2001 году слово «лесные» заменили на «природные». То ли таким способом расширили потенциальную ответственность аудитории, то ли за прошедшие годы значительно уменьшилось количество лесов и таким вот образом потихоньку готовят общественность к принятию этого печального факта.
Термины smoky и Smokie: в чем разница
Третий и последний способ написания изучаемого термина — Smokie. И опять только с большой буквы.
Почему? Да потому, что это название популярной британской поп-рок-глем группы Smokie. Так что если вам встретиться подобное написание с маленькой буквы — это ошибка.
Почему именно такое название?
Изначально данный коллектив звался так же, как и знаменитый мишка Smokey.
Однако в 1975 г. на британцев подал в суд Смоки Робинсон, утверждая, что они нарушили его авторское право. Логика, конечно, железная. Это все равно, как если бы девушки с именем Алиса судились с группой Константина Кинчева.
Но британцы не на шутку испугались, и дабы уладить конфликт, переименовали группу на Smokie. И не прогадали, войдя в историю с таким грамматически неверным названием. Но победителей не судят.
ВИА «Смоки» (Smokie) и его самые известные песни
Возможно, для нашего поколения (избалованного возможностью слушать в интернете любые музыкальные композиции) этот коллектив не представляет особой важности. Однако во времена СССР дефицитом умудрялись делать абсолютно все, даже зарубежные песни и группы. Поэтому те из них, кому удавалось каким-то чудом «прорваться» к отечественному слушателю, становились хитами.
Так произошло и с музыкой коллектива Smokie (перевод и происхождение слова в предыдущих пунктах). До сих пор наши мамы и бабушки готовы пустить слезу ностальгии, слыша песни: What can i do?, Needles and pins, Living Next Door To Alice или Don’t play your rock’n’roll to me.
Однако кроме них, у группы вышло еще несколько сотен композиций, но именно эти сумели стать хитами и прославить ее далеко за пределами туманного Альбиона.
Краткая история
Практически в течение всех лет своего существования данный коллектив имел постоянный состав. В него входила четверка участников: вокалист и ритм-гитарист Крис Норман, соло-гитарист Алан Силсон, барабанщик Пит Спенсер и бас-гитарист Терри Аттли.
В более поздний период вокалист «Смоки» решил создать собственный сольный проект, и после его ухода петь в группе стал новичок Алан Бартон. К сожалению, в 1995 г. он погиб во время автомобильной аварии, и на его место пришел Майк Крафт.
Что касается появления ВИА, то четверка его основателей была детьми обычных британских рабочих из Брадфорда. Поэтому музыкальное мастерство осваивали своими силами.
В 1965 г. они основали группу Elizabethans, но спустя 5 пять лет неудач переименовали ее в Kindness.
Следующие четыре года им тоже не особо везло, и чтобы не голодать, приходилось играть в барах и на небольших мелких мероприятиях. На одном из таких их и заметили знаменитые продюсеры Ники Чинн и Майк Чэпмен. С их подачи группа была переименована в Smokey и стала активно продвигаться.
В 1975 г., вместе со сменой двух последних букв в названии, Smokie выпустили свой первый альбом Pass It Around и уже вскоре стали настоящими звездами.
Конечно, уровня The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd или Sex Pistols они так и не достигли, но стать культовой мировой группой второй величины — тоже весьма значительное достижение.
Что такое «смоки» в макияже
Рассматриваемый термин также весьма часто фигурирует в названии популярного способа накрасить глаза.
Итак, что такое «смоки айс»? В перевод с английского это «глаза дымного цвета». Данный способ накраситься состоит в акцентировании при помощи теней серого и черного оттенков вышеупомянутой части тела. Причем в данном случает должно создаваться ощущение небрежности, этакой «дымки». Возможно, поэтому и возникло данное название.
Иногда такой стиль именуют «зареванным», и в чем-то это близко к истине. Ведь подобный макияж напоминает расплывшиеся тени и тушь, после того как их обладательница плакала.
Считается, что smoky eyes был придуман еще в двадцатые годы прошлого века, для нужд немого кино, чтобы подчеркнуть драматизм черно-белых героинь. Впоследствии он покорил весь мир и уверенно не сдает свои позиции и по сегодняшний день.
Как сделать такой макияж
В макияже техника smoky eyes не относится к особо сложным. Главное в этом деле — умеренность и вкус.
Большинство инструкций о том, как накрасить глаза таким образом, пестрят названиями различных кисточек, хайлайтеров, теней, тушей и тому подобного. Весьма часто это еще и скрытая реклама, призванная убедить доверчивых, что продукция именно данной торговой марки и никакой другой поможет создать такой макияж.
В реальности все намного проще. Чтобы сделать смоки айс, нужно иметь под рукой хорошие тушь, карандаш (кайал) и тени нужного оттенка. Предпочтение стоит отдавать тому производителю, которому вы доверяете, независимо от его популярности. Причем желательно, чтобы в наборе теней шло сразу несколько близких по цвету тонов — это позволит придать особенную непринужденность.
Что касается кисточек, то в данном случае их нужно две: одна — чтобы равномерно нанести, вторая — чтобы растушевать. Остальное зависит от вашей усидчивости. Ведь чтобы освоить эту нехитрую науку, нужно немного потренироваться.
В каком порядке наносится этот макияж?
- Карандашом заштриховывается верхнее подвижное веко и подводится слегка нижнее, а также обязательно тщательно прокрашивается слизистая оболочка. Иногда вместо карандаша сразу наносят тени.
- Кистью для растушевки нужно пройтись по краям, придавая им фирменную дымчатость.
- Поверх кайала наносятся тени основного оттенка.
- С помощью растушевочной кисточки границы «рисунка» аккуратно прокрашиваются более светлым тоном, чтобы создать эффект перехода. Это делается и сверху, и снизу.
- Под бровями и в уголках глаз можно слегка прокрасить еще более светлыми цветами.
- В последнюю очередь наносится тушь. И все готово — можно идти радовать свое отражение в зеркале и украшать мир.
Какие тени допустимо использовать
Ведется немало споров о том, какие именно тона можно и нужно применять при макияже smoky eyes. Несмотря на мнения консерваторов, признающих только смоки цвета (серый и черный, а также со скрипом синий), стоит признать, что абсолютно любой. Это могут быть как постельные, ой, то есть пастельные тона, так и агрессивные или неоновые оттенки.
Главное, чтобы лично вам шел избранный цвет и гармонировал с нарядом и обстановкой. А в остальном все зависит от вас и вашей фантазии, ведь красота — понятие весьма относительное. Поэтому нравиться все, что вы делаете со своей внешностью, должно в первую очередь именно вам самим. Так что дерзайте!
Написано ведь одно и тоже. Вообще-то можно писать и так, и так. Так-как люди называют по разному, но лучше всего называть «съёмочная Группа», ведь «съёмочная» есть площадка, техника и т.д.
Биография
Судьба британской рок-группы Smokie до сих пор интересует поклонников жанра. Интересно, что песни коллектива, вопреки железному занавесу, были не менее популярны в СССР, чем на родине, а некоторые композиции и по сей день не потеряли актуальность.
История создания и состав
История создания «Прокуренных» уникальна тем, что группа многократно изменяла название. Квартет (а первоначально трио) назывался The Yen, затем The Sphynx, Essence, The Four Corners, Kindness и Smokey. Всемирно известный вариант возник в 1975 году путем замены предпоследней буквы по требованию Смоки Робинсона — основателя и фронтмена американского коллектива The Miracles.
Двое из трех основателей группы The Yen — Алан Силсон и Крис Норман — вместе учились в школе St. Bedes Grammar School шерстяной столицы Великобритании — городка Брадфорд. Через полтора года к приятелям присоединился третий одноклассник Терри Аттли, играющий в Smokie и сейчас. Только ударник первого состава Рон Келли не имел отношения к alma mater троицы.
Большую роль в продвижении молодого коллектива сыграли продюсеры и композиторы Никки Чинн и Майк Чепмен, работавшие также со Сьюзи Кватро. Однако не все идеи тандема Chinnichap относительно Smokie оказались удачными: не прижилась инициатива переодеть участников группы в косухи и кожаные брюки, и команда продолжила играть музыку в джинсах.
Состав Smokie многократно менялся. Крис Норман покинул коллектив в 1986 году, а Алан Силсон — спустя десятилетие. Алан Бартон, чей вокал был удивительно похож на голос Нормана, погиб через 5 дней после автоаварии в пригороде Дюссельдорфа в марте 1995 года. На официальном сайте группы выложено фото Бартона как подтверждение того, что музыкант остается в сердцах товарищей. Сейчас в Smokie, кроме Терри Аттли, играют гитаристы Майк Крафт и Мик Макконнелл, клавишник Мартин Буллард и ударник Стив Пиннелл.
Музыка
Большинство композиций группы музыковеды относят к жанру глэм-рока, однако It’s Your Life написана в стиле регги. Относительно успешным стал второй альбом Smokie Changing All the Time, первая песня которого If You Think You Know How to Love Me заняла 3-ю строчку в британском хит-параде синглов.
Поистине золотыми хитами стали песни Living Next Door to Alice, выпущенная в 1976 году и породившая множество иноязычных каверов, и What Can I Do, исполнявшаяся в СССР группой «Веселые ребята» со словами «Нет, я не жду». На пике популярности Smokie собирала в континентальной Европе полные залы и выпускала альбомы миллионными тиражами.
Четвертый в дискографии коллектива сборник Bright Lights & Black Alleys за первые две недели продаж разошелся в количестве 400 тыс. экземпляров. Читатели журнала Pop Foto называли Smokie лучшей группой.
В отличие от Сьюзи Кватро, выпустившей новые альбомы в 2017 и 2019 годах, парни из Брадфорда не радуют поклонников свежими сборниками с 2010-го. У Smokie практически нет клипов в современном понимании, только концертные записи песен.
Smokie сейчас
В декабре 2019 года Smokie провела тур Down Under в Австралии, а накануне 2020-го выступила в Литве. Однако пандемия коронавируса внесла коррективы в концертную деятельность музыкантов. На официальном сайте группы сообщается, что гастроли легенд рока отменены в Швеции и ЮАР.
На 7 декабря 2020 года был запланирован традиционный концерт Smokie в московском Crocus City Hall. Группа выступает на этой площадке ежегодно с 2015-го.
Дискография
- 1975 — Pass It Around
- 1975 — Changing All the Time
- 1976 — Midnight Cafe
- 1977 — Bright Lights & Black Alleys
- 1978 — The Montreux Album
- 1979 — The Other Side of the Road
- 1981 — Solid Ground
- 1982 — Strangers In Paradise
- 1982 — Midnight Delight
- 1988 — All Fired Up
- 1989 — Boulevard of Broken Dreams
- 1990 — Whose Are These Boots?
- 1992 — Chasing Shadows
- 1993 — Burning Ambition
- 1995 — The World and Elsewhere
- 1996 — Light a Candle — The Christmas Album
- 1998 — Wild Horses — The Nashville Album
- 2000 — Uncovered
- 2001 — Uncovered Too
- 2004 — On the Wire
- 2010 — Take a Minute
Клипы
- Don’t Play Your Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me
- What Can I Do
- Needles And Pins
- Living Next Door to Alice
- I’ll Meet You At Midnight
- Have You Ever Seen The Rain
- Young Hearts
Интересные факты
- Родной город рок-группы Брадфорд — место действия фильма Джона Шлезингера «Янки», главные роли в котором исполнили Ричард Гир и Ванесса Редгрейв.
- Хит What Can I Do, написанный в 25 лет Аланом Силсоном, популярен не только на постсоветском пространстве, но и в Южной Корее.
- Майк Крафт в молодости делал сольную карьеру под именем Майк Стейси.
- На досуге Терри Аттли слушает оперу.
| Smokie | |
 |
|
| Основная информация | |
|---|---|
| Жанры |
рок-н-ролл |
| Годы |
1975—наше время |
| Страна |
|
| Откуда |
Брэдфорд, Англия |
| Состав |
Терри Аттли |
| Бывшие участники |
Крис Норман |
| Официальный фан-сайт |
Smokie (первоначально англ. Smokey, созвучно со словом англ. smoky, дымный, копчёный, прокуренный) — известная английская группа, основанная в 1975 году в Брэдфорде, графство Йоркшир, получившая большую известность в Европе в 1970-х годах.
Содержание
- 1 История
- 2 Дискография
- 2.1 Альбомы с Крисом Норманом
- 2.2 Альбомы с Аланом Бартоном
- 2.3 Альбомы с Майком Крафтом
- 3 Состав группы
- 4 См. также
- 5 Ссылки
История
Весьма продолжительное время ансамбль, тогда Kindness (рус. Доброта), не решался давать большие концерты, так как музыканты были выходцами из рабочих кварталов, и успешно выступали только в пабах и ночных клубах в окрестностях Брэдфорда. Попытки найти контакты с звукозаписывающими компаниями не увенчались успехом.
В 1974 году в небольшом лондонском клубе «Хэтчет» они попадают в поле зрения авторской паре Ники Чинн — Майк Чэпмен, уже успешно работавших с Сьюзи Кватро, группами Sweet и Mud.
В начале 1975 года Чинн и Чэпмен объявили о «зарождении» нового ансамбля «Smokey», который дебютировал с альбомом Pass It Around.
Состав ансамбля долгое время оставался постоянным — вокалист Крис Норман, гитарист Алэн Силсон, ударник Пит Спенсер и басист Терри Аттли. Но в 1986 году Крис Норман начал сольную карьеру, а группа продолжила с новым вокалистом Аланом Бартоном, часто используя старые и проверенные песни. Примерно в это же время в составе появляются клавишник Мартин Буллард и ударник Стив Пиннелл. Однако в 1995 году Алан Бартон погибает в автокатастрофе в турне по Германии. Его место занимает старый друг группы Майк Крафт.
Дискография
Альбомы с Крисом Норманом
- Pass It Around (1975)
- Changing All The Time (1975)
- Midnight Cafe (1976)
- Bright Lights & Back Alleys (1977)
- The Montreux Album (1978)
- The Other Side Of The Road (1979)
- Solid Ground (1981)
- Strangers In Paradise (1982)
- Midnight Delight (1982)
Сборники:
- Greatest Hits (1977)
- Smokie Forever (1990)
- Smokie Forever — I’ts Medley Time (1992)
- The Collections B-sides (1994)
- Smokie Live — The Concert-1978 (1998)
- Best Of the Rock Songs And Ballads (2000)
- The 25th Anniversary Album (2000)
Альбомы с Аланом Бартоном
- All Fired Up (1988)
- Boulevard Of Broken Dreams (1989)
- Whose Are These Boots? (1990)
- Chasing Shadows (1992)
- Burning Ambition (1993)
- Celebration (1994)
Сборники:
- Greatest Hits Live (1989)
- The Best Of (1990)
- The Complete Smokie Collections (1995)
Альбомы с Майком Крафтом
- From Smokie With Love (1995)
- The World And Elsewhere (1995)
- Light A Candle — The Christmas Album (1996)
- Wild Horses — The Nashville Album (1998)
- Uncovered (2000)
- Uncovered Too (2001)
- On The Wire (2004)
- From The Heart (2006)
- Eclipse (2008)
- It’s Country Time (2009)
- Take A Minute (2010)
Сборники:
- Smokie Live (1998)
- Live at Circus, Stockholm (DVD) (2008)
- Live at Rival (DVD) (2008)
- Live in South Africa (DVD) (2009)
Состав группы
| Годы | Smokie |
|---|---|
| 1965 — 1968 | • Крис Норман (англ. Chris Norman)- вокал, гитара • Алэн Силсон (англ. Alan Silson)- гитара, вокал • Терри Аттли (англ. Terry Uttley) — бас-гитара, вокал • Рон Келли (англ. Ron Kelly)- ударные |
| 1968 — 1986 | • Крис Норман — вокал, гитара • Алан Силсон — гитара, вокал • Терри Аттли — бас-гитара, вокал • Пит Спенсер (англ. Pete Spencer) — ударные |
| 1986 — 1995 | • Алан Бартон (англ. Alan Barton) — вокал, гитара • Алэн Силсон — гитара, вокал • Терри Аттли — бас-гитара, вокал • Стив Пиннелл (англ. ) — ударные • Мартин Буллард (англ. Martin Bullard) — синтезатор (клавиши) |
| 1995 — 1996 | • Майк Крафт (англ. Mike Craft) — вокал, гитара • Алан Силсон — гитара, вокал • Терри Аттли — бас-гитара, вокал • Стив Пиннелл — ударные • Мартин Буллард — клавишные |
| 1996-2011 | • Майк Крафт — вокал, гитара • Майк МакКоннелл (англ. Mick McConnell) — вокал, гитара • Терри Аттли — бас-гитара, вокал • Стив Пиннелл — ударные • Мартин Буллард — клавишные |
См. также
- Gompie
Ссылки
- Smokie — Home Page
 Внешние аудиофайлы |
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|---|---|
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«Living Next Door To Alice» — песня написана Никки Чинном и Майком Чепменом |
- Smokie в Москве — Официальный сайт ММДМ
- Официальный сайт
- The Smokie Discography
- История Smokie: AMG