The Average White Band, commonly referred to as AWB, is a Scottish funk and R&B band that was originally formed in London in 1972. The band had a string of successful albums and singles in the mid 1970s, including the number one hit “Pick Up the Pieces.” AWB’s music is heavily influenced by American funk bands and features a tight, dynamic rhythm section and melodic horn arrangements. The band’s signature sound, often referred to as “blue-eyed soul,” helped pioneer the fusion of funk and R&B with rock music. Though AWB’s commercial success peaked in the 1970s, versions of the band have continued to tour and record over the decades. This article will examine if the current incarnation of the Average White Band still actively tours and performs their classic hit songs.
AWB’s Early Success
The original lineup of Average White Band formed in 1972 consisted of Alan Gorrie on bass, guitar, and vocals, Onnie McIntyre on guitar and vocals, Hamish Stuart on guitar, bass, and vocals, Roger Ball on keyboards and saxophone, and Robbie McIntosh on drums. Based in London but with all Scottish members, the band was signed to Atlantic Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1973. Their follow-up album “AWB” was released in 1974 and included the funk anthem “Pick Up the Pieces” which went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. This smash hit song and the subsequent album “Cut the Cake” cemented AWB’s popularity and helped introduce their brand of funky grooves to mainstream music audiences.
During their heyday in the mid 1970s, AWB toured extensively throughout the world, performing their hits to enthusiastic crowds. Their tight musicianship and high energy shows made them a popular live concert draw. Through relentless touring and several more successful albums, the band became well-established stars of the funk, R&B, and jazz-fusion scenes. However, by the late 1970s, changing music tastes and lineup changes started impacting the band’s popularity and commercial success.
Later Years and Continued Touring
In 1982, tragedy struck when drummer Robbie McIntosh died of drug-related causes at age 24. This loss was difficult for the band both emotionally and professionally. Alan Gorrie continued with new lineups of AWB in the 1980s and beyond, releasing occasional new albums but not achieving substantial chart success. Gorrie remains the sole original member still actively touring and recording with Average White Band today.
Since the 1990s, various incarnations of AWB have continued to perform live shows regularly throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Their concert setlists rely heavily on the classic 70s funk hits that the public most identifies with the band. Songs like “Pick Up the Pieces,” “Cut the Cake,” and “School Boy Crush” have remained staples of their shows for decades. While not attracting the huge crowds and media attention of their 1970s heyday, AWB has maintained a loyal following and still headlines both smaller clubs and larger festivals and venues.
Now well into their later careers, the members of Average White Band clearly still have passion for bringing their vintage funk and soul sounds to audiences. While unlikely to ever match their commercial success of the 1970s again, AWB seems content with their status as a beloved nostalgia act. Fans still turn out to hear songs like “Pick Up the Pieces” played live by musicians who were integral in creating the band’s signature sound.
Awards and Recognition
Over their long careers, the members of Average White Band have received a variety of honors celebrating their musical accomplishments and influence. These include:
– Induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville (2009)
– Induction into the Scottish Music Hall of Fame (2011)
– Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Sea Jazz Festival (2016)
– BMI Icon Award for songwriting legacy (2016)
– Honorary Doctorate of Letters degrees from Dundee University (2017)
– Ivor Novello Awards for Outstanding Song Collection (2020)
Despite lineup changes over 50 years, Average White Band’s core groove and musicality remains remarkably consistent. Today’s touring version may not include any original members, but they faithfully recreate the band’s hits for longtime fans. The awards and recognition bestowed upon AWB acknowledge their important place in funk and soul history.
Current Band Lineup
The current lineup of Average White Band consists of the following musicians:
– Rocky Bryant – Bass, Vocals (active with AWB since 1991)
– Klyde Jones – Guitar, Vocals (active with AWB since 2014)
– Brent Carter – Trumpet, Vocals (active with AWB since 2017)
– Fred Vigdor – Saxophone, Keyboards, Vocals (active with AWB since 1997)
– Gary Solomon – Drums, Vocals (active with AWB since 2004)
– Alec Milenkovic – Trombone (active with AWB since 2019)
Though none of the current members are original, several have a long history with AWB spanning decades. They each bring high musicianship and experience performing the band’s extensive catalog of classic material. While unable to fully replicate the magic of the 1970s original lineup, this group keeps the Average White Band name alive for contemporary audiences. Ongoing longevity requires adapting over time, and AWB has succeeded in that better than many legacy acts from the same era.
Touring Activity and Residency Shows
Average White Band maintains an active touring schedule, regularly crisscrossing the United States and Europe for concerts at theatres, casinos, festivals, and more. According to their official website, between October 2022 and March 2023 AWB has touring stops scheduled in over 25 US states. This demonstrates that even after 50 years together, they still have the drive and fanbase to support months-long tours.
In addition to traditional concert touring, AWB frequently performs limited multi-night residency engagements in select cities. Upcoming residencies promoted on the band’s website include 4 days at the Blue Note jazz club in Napa, CA and a week at Detroit’s Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre. These types of residencies allow the band to settle in one place for multiple nights, letting fans experience Average White Band in a more intimate setting than a single large concert. The periodic residencies complement the regular concert tour schedule.
Next summer (2023), AWB is scheduled to perform on two ocean cruises as the headline act. This includes the “Rock the Yacht” cruise from Miami to the Bahamas in June, and the “Flower Power Cruise” from Boston to Bermuda in July. Cruise ship shows have become a popular way for classic bands to reach devoted fans in a unique setting. AWB sails into their sixth decade bringing funky grooves and musical talent to the high seas.
Collaborations with Other Artists
Although their popularity peaked decades ago, Average White Band has stayed relevant in part through periodic collaborations with other artists. These types of joint projects expose AWB’s music to new audiences and demonstrate their influence across generations.
Some notable collaborations AWB has been involved with over the years include:
– Recording “Atlantic Family Live” concert album with fellow Atlantic Records artists such as Ben E. King, Sam Moore, and The Spinners (1977)
– Appearing on Quincy Jones album “Sounds…And Stuff Like That” (1978)
– Touring Japan with fellow funk band War (1992)
– Recording album “Soul Tattoo” with singer LaGaylia Frazier (1996)
– Jamming with guitarist Carlos Santana during a TV appearance (1999)
– Adding vocals to album “Evening With Friends” by nu-jazz group Wide Hive Players (2004)
– Performing onstage at Glastonbury Festival with English acid jazz band Jamiroquai (2019)
These types of guest appearances and supergroup projects allow AWB’s music to connect with fans of other genres. Continuing to collaborate demonstrates that respected musicians still view Average White Band as creative and talented artists after all these years. It is a key factor keeping them active and relevant.
Song Use in Film and Advertising
The popularity of Average White Band’s songs on film soundtracks and in television commercials is another important way their music continues reaching contemporary audiences. “Pick Up the Pieces” in particular is one of the most recognizable instrumentals from the funk era. Its catchy melody and riff has proven timeless.
Some examples of AWB’s music being used in visual media over the years:
– “Pick Up the Pieces” featured in movies like Reservoir Dogs, Ocean’s Twelve, and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
– “Cut the Cake” in the movie The Brothers
– “Person to Person” in High Fidelity
– “School Boy Crush” in the Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery soundtrack
– “If I Ever Lose This Heaven” in the TV show The Simpsons
– “Pick Up the Pieces” in a Pepsi commercial starring Cindy Crawford (1996)
– “Let’s Go Round Again” in a Heineken beer ad (1998)
– Multiple songs used as background music on Saturday Night Live over the years
This type of media exposure allows AWB’s music to live on, finding receptive new audiences. “Pick Up The Pieces” in particular has become a staple – its inclusion in a movie, commercial, or TV show immediately conjures up a cool 1970s vibe.
Continuing Legacy and Influence
While their recordings and live shows don’t generate the same level of buzz they once did, the legacy and influence of Average White Band is secure. They succeeded in merging funk, R&B, jazz, and rock at a time when that cross-pollination was still novel. Albums like “AWB” and “Cut the Cake” are considered classics that expanded musical boundaries. Countless subsequent bands absorbed inspiration from AWB’s groove-oriented songwriting and horn arrangements.
Over five decades, AWB has experienced highs like topping the pop charts along with lows like the drug-related death of Robbie McIntosh. Their constant through changing times has been a dedication to energetic live performance and a peerless funk/soul sound. While the original lineup will forever be the “true” AWB, various later members have admirably carried the torch.
As Average White Band nears their sixth decade together, they aren’t resting on past glories. Tour schedules stay active as new generations discover their influential catalog. Their time in the pop zeitgeist has passed, but ongoing residencies and occasional new collaborations show a veteran group still creatively plugging away. Thanks to the continued efforts of both original and newer members, the Average White Band name lives on proudly.
Pick Up the Pieces: Song Analysis
“Pick Up the Pieces” remains AWB’s most recognizable hit song. Released in 1974, this funky instrumental topped the US singles chart and has been extensively used in film, TV, and advertising ever since. What musical qualities make “Pick Up the Pieces” such an enduring track?
– Tight Horn Riff – The song is built around its iconic, danceable brass line that worms its way into the listener’s head. The riff is short and repetitive but expertly executed.
– Saxophone Solo – Hamish Stuart’s extended saxophone work adds another layer of melody and virtuosity. His energetic blowing is a centerpiece of the song.
– Propulsive Groove – Drummer Robbie McIntosh and bassist Alan Gorrie lock into a relentless funk groove that underpins the entire song. The insistent rhythm compels movement.
– Layered Percussion – Congas and other subtle percussion augment the drumset patterns, filling every crevice of the groove. This gives the song added complexity and polyrhythms.
– Economy of Parts – Though the instrumental arrangement is sophisticated, each component is carefully placed for maximum rhythmic and melodic interplay. There is no excess.
– Danceable Breakdown – A breakdown section later in the song reduces the arrangement to drums/bass/guitar, letting listeners get down to the pure groove. The other instruments then build back in one by one.
– Strong Melodic Hook – Though an instrumental, the song’s title phrase “Pick up the pieces” sticks in the listener’s mind and sums up the kinetic theme. The horn line itself is also quite melodic and singable.
Few funk instrumentals are as immediately identifiable from the first seconds of the song. The combination of tight musicianship, danceable polyrhythms, strong hooks, and vibrant horns make “Pick Up the Pieces” a genre standout that continues to win over new generations of fans. It encapsulates what made Average White Band stand out during the 1970s golden age of funk.
Typical Setlist Features the Hits
Given their extensive catalog stretching back five decades, Average White Band has plenty of material to choose from when putting together current setlists. Understandably though, they stock shows with their classic radio hits that fans know and love. Along with a few deeper album cuts and jazz/R&B standards, AWB’s live shows are a nostalgic trip through their funk heyday of the 1970s.
Here are some of the songs consistently included in Average White Band’s recent setlists:
– “Pick Up the Pieces” – Their signature #1 hit and surefire show-closer. Gets everyone dancing.
– “Cut the Cake” – Title track from their most successful album, another funk radio staple.
– “School Boy Crush” – Seductive ballad featuring Hamish Stuart’s soulful vocals. Usually slowed down and dragged out live.
– “Person to Person” – Lighter track displaying the band’s smooth harmonies.
– “Let’s Go Round Again” – Funky disco-flavored pop hit from the late 70s. Uplifting message about the cycles of life.
– “Work to Do” – Searing funk workout that showcases instrumental talents.
– “A Love of Your Own” – Pretty ballad ideal for swaying along too. Female guest vocalist often featured.
– “Queen of My Soul” – Latin jazz flavored gem from early in the band’s career.
– “Cloudy” – Popular encore with extended solos and jamming. Songs fades out in concerts.
Most Average White Band fans going to see them live want to hear their string of 1970s hits played faithfully. The band happily complies, mixing funk barnburners with a few mellower ballads. While not overly surprising or risky, the shows reliably generate good vibes by giving the people what they want.
Conclusion
Over 50 years removed from their commercial peak, the Average White Band continues soldiering on. While their days of releasing hit albums and singles passed decades ago, AWB has settled into a comfortable status as an “oldies” funk act. Core members come and go, but the music maintains continuity with its roots. Through relentless touring and periodic new projects, Average White Band keeps their vintage sound alive. Faithful live performances of classics like “Pick Up the Pieces” will continue introducing new listeners to their influential funk and R&B fusion.