The Average White Band

The Average White Band (also AWB) was a Scottish funk and R&B band, consisting of Malcolm Duncan, Roger Ball, Alan Gorrie, Onnie McIntyre, Malcolm Duncan, Hamish Stuart and Robbie McIntosh.

The band debut in 1973 (see 1973 in music) at Eric Clapton's comeback concert. Their debut LP was Show Your Hand, which sold poorly. The follow-up, AWB, was a chart-topper which included "Pick Up the Pieces". On September 23, 1974 (see 1974 in music), McIntosh died of a heroin overdose. He was replaced by Steve Ferrone (of Bloodstone) for Cut the Cake (1975, see 1975 in music) and Soul Searching (1976, see 1976 in music), both big sellers. Their next LP, Benny & Us, was a collaboration with soul legend Ben E. King.

After a few more albums, though, AWB's audience and sales dwindled rapidly and the group dissolved in 1982 (see 1982 in music). Gorrie, Ball and McIntyre reunited in 1989 (see 1989 in music) to little fanfare and weak sales. They have continued touring and sporadically recording since.