Average White Band
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About Average White Band
Average White Band (AWB) are a legendary Scottish funk and R&B group that emerged in the early 1970s. AWB quickly became known for their blend of tight, rhythmic grooves, soulful vocals, and dynamic live performances.
The band’s distinctive sound was crafted by founding members Alan Gorrie, Onnie McIntyre, Hamish Stuart, Roger Ball, and Malcolm Duncan. Their self-titled second album reached No.1 on the U.S Billboard 200 in 1974, featuring the horn-powered breakthrough No.1 hit ‘Pick Up the Pieces’, which dominated dancefloors worldwide. Their success continued with the energetic songs like ‘Cut the Cake’ (1975) and ‘Soul Searching’ (1976),
AWB continued to perform and tour across North America, Japan, South Africa, the UK, and beyond for 50 years. The collective embarked on a UK farewell tour in 2024 across venues such as the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow.
When and where did Average White Band form?
Average White Band was formed in Scotland in 1972, emerging as an energetic force in the funk and R&B scene.
Are Average White Band still performing?
In December 2024, the Average White Band concluded their 50-year career with a final performance in St. Louis, America, in December 2024.
How did Average White Band get their name?
The name ‘Average White Band’ was chosen as a tongue-in-cheek, self-deprecating nod to the fact that all the founding members were white — despite playing funk and R&B, genres deeply rooted in African-American culture.
Who are the 2025 members of Average White Band?
AWB’s final lineup featured Alan Gorrie (lead vocals, bass, guitar), Onnie McIntyre (guitar, vocals), Fred "Freddy V" Vigdor (tenor saxophone, keyboards, vocals), Cliff Lyons (alto saxophone, keyboards, vocals), Rob Aries (keyboards, bass), Brent Carter (lead vocals), and Rocky Bryant (drums).
