The Average White Band (also known as AWB) are a Scottish funk and R&B band that had a series of soul and disco hits between 1974 and 1980. They are best known for their million-selling instrumental track "Pick Up the Pieces", and their albums AWB and Cut the Cake.
The band name was initially proposed by Bonnie Bramlett. They have influenced others, such as the Brand New Heavies, and been sampled by various musicians, including the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, TLC, The Beatnuts, Too Short, Ice Cube, Eric B. & Rakim, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Christina Milian, and Arrested Development, making them the 15th most sampled act in history.
Also Known As: AWB
Members:
Alan Gorrie - bass, guitars, vocals, keyboards (1972-1983, 1989-present)
Owen "Onnie" McIntyre - guitars, backing vocals (1972-1983, 1989-present)
Fred Vigdor - tenor saxophone, keyboards, backing vocals (1996-present)
Rocky Bryant - drums (2006-present)
Brent Carter - vocals (2011-present)
Rob Aries - keyboards, bass (2013-present)
Cliff Lyons - alto saxophone (2015-present)
Former members:
Roger Ball - alto saxophone, keyboards (1972-1983, 1989-1996)
Francis 'Frank' Kosiba- drums (1971-Carnoustie High School)
Malcolm "Molly" Duncan - tenor saxophone (1972-1983; died 2019)
Robbie McIntosh - drums (1972-1974; his death)
Michael Rosen - trumpet, guitar (1972)
Hamish Stuart - guitar, bass, vocals (1972-1983)
Steve Ferrone - drums (1974-1983)
Eliot Lewis - keyboards, guitar, bass, percussion, vocals (1989-2002)
Tiger McNeil - drums (1989-1994)
Alex Ligertwood - vocals (1989)
Peter Abbott - drums (1994-1998)
Fred "Catfish" Alias - drums (1998-1999)
Adam Deitch - drums (1999-2001)
Klyde Jones - keyboards, guitar, bass, vocals (2002-2011)
Morris Pleasure - keyboard, bass, guitar (2011, 2013)
Monte Croft - keyboard, bass, guitar (2011-2013)
Genre(s):
Blue-eyed soul,
disco,
funk,
pop rock,
soul
Active From: 1972-1983, 1990-present