Spirit ofSmokieSpirit ofSmokie

To understand where it allbegan, first look at the historyof ‘Smokie’Originating from Bradford, England, Smokie was formed byschoolfriends Chris Norman (Vocals), Ron Kelly (Drums) andAlan Silson (Guitar). They were later joined by Terry Uttley(Bass). After several name changes and recording contracts inJuly 1975 Smokie had a top-five UK hit with “If you think youknow how to love me”. Further success followed with a total of15 top 20 hits including “Living Next door to Alice” which wasNo. 1 in Germany for nine weeks. The band sold in excess of 30million records worldwide.

In 1986 Chris Norman embarked on a solo career. A ‘new look’Smokie arrived on the scene, complete with Chris’s replacementAlan Barton. Alan breathed new life into Smokie, who went fromstrength to strength, adding new fans to their already loyalfollowing.

Disaster struck the band on 19th March 1995. Travelling homefrom a concert in terrible weather conditions, the bus carryingthe band crashed. On the 23rd March 1995 Alan Barton lost hisstruggle with life. He died in hospital at Cologne (Koln) Germanyaged 42.

On 27th March 2008 a very special event took place.Ron Kelly, AndyWhelan and Graham Kearns (who were lifelongfriends of Alan Barton) joined Alan’s son Dean and keyboardplayer Kevin Fitzpatrick to perform a celebration of Alan’s life.For two hours the audience rocked as Smokie’s hits were played.At the end of the concert a member of the audience was heard toremark: “It almost seemed like the Spirit of Smokie was on thestage tonight”.

AND SO IT BEGINS…

Ron KellyRon has a long and colourful musical history! It’s quitepossible that without Ron fate would have given us aworld without Smokie!From an early age he practised hard, becoming a proficient, though at the timeinexperienced drummer. Still at school he was looking for musicians to form a band. Bychance he met Alan Silson and Chris Norman. The three got on well together and weresoon joined by Terry Uttley. They played school dances and youth clubs until Ron went tocollege to further his education. At this time he joined a band called the ‘Black Cats’ butsoon imported Alan, Chris and Terry into the unit! They played various nightclubs underthe name of the ‘Elizabethans’.

In 1970 the boys changed their name to ‘Kindness’ and released singles on the R.C.A. BellRecords and Decca labels. They had success playing as the backing band for Peter Noone(of ‘Herman’s Hermits’ fame) whilst recording their own material, finally taking on thename of ‘Smokie’.

Ron, who impressed many with his abilities on drums, had an offer he could not refusefrom a new high profile rock band – He joined the ‘John Verity Band’ who had aforthcoming 90-day American tour with US recording stars ‘Steely Dan’. He also toured theUK and Europe with rock giants ‘Argent’, producing two widely acclaimed albums.

When his career as a session musician began, he was re-united with the legendaryproducer Steve Rowland and among his many recordings he played on Albert Hammond’sworldwide hit ‘It Never rains in Southern California’. He also charted No 1 in the UK with‘Central Park Arrest’ by The Thunderthighs.

In the late 70s he was signed to Ringo Starr’s record label. He recorded many albums andsingles, among them, records for Graham Bonnet of ‘Rainbow’ fame. At Christmas 1978, toshow his appreciation, Ringo presented Ron with a special watch, commissioned only forclose friends. New offers of work came in and Ron moved on, playing concerts with ‘TheClimax Blues Band’ who had a number 1 hit with ‘Couldn’t Get it Right’.

The 90s found him working in the Studio with world famous artist Lisa Stansfield andBruce Foxton of ‘The Jam’. Finally in 2005, after an illustrious musical career, he came fullcircle, renewing his friendship with Alan Silson; they along with Graham Kearns and AndyWhelan founded ‘The Alan Silson Band’.

Ron remains the driving force behind this project, freely finding time to give interviews toall branches of the media. His recollections provide a fascinating insight into the earlytouring years with Terry Uttley, Alan Silson and Chris Norman plus the bonus of Rocklegend Ringo Starr.

Drums

Dean BartonSurrounded by music and themusic business, a young Deanwas encouraged by his father toplay the guitar and develop hispromising voice.Today Dean sounds like a combination of Alan Bartonand Chris Norman, making him an Ideal choice tofront the band. He is a prolific songwriter and has hadsongs on Bravo Hits including ‘Hard to Understand’reaching No1 in the charts! He recorded the bonussong ‘Think About the Night’ on the Smokie album‘Lay Back in the Arms of Smokie’

Dean is the youngest member of the band, but hispedigree is of the highest calibre. Good looking, witha vibrant personality, he enjoys performing hisfavourite Smokie songs.

Lead Vocals

Guitar

Andy WhelanAndy is recognised as a supremelytalented session guitarist.Although his first love is country music he is equally at homeplaying all styles on a combination of stringed instruments.

Among many, he has played and recorded for;

Chris Norman (Smokie) ‘Growing years’ & ‘Jealous Heart’ albums

Chris Norman /Suzi Quatro ‘I need your love’ album

Alan Barton (Smokie) ‘Precious’ album

Alan Silson (Smokie) ‘Solitary Bird’ album

He also toured with top US country artistsGeorge Hamilton IV, Gail Davies and JamesHouse (Dwight Yoakam, Diamond Rio etc.)

He wrote ‘One More Dance’ for Smokie andrecorded ‘Walking in the Rain’ for JohnLennon’s (The Beatles) wife Cynthia

As a long time member of the BritishEagles he was invited by no otherthan Elton John to play at his 40thbirthday party!

Guitars

Mandolin

Vocals

Guitars

Mandolin

Vocals

GrahamKearnsGraham’s love of the songs ofSmokie, his solid bass guitarplaying and strong vocals madehim a perfect candidate for the‘The Spirit of Smokie’.As a founder member, he shared the lead vocalsover the last three years.

His early musical career started aged 18 with the‘Rockabilly Rebs’ who released 2 albums and asingle. He recorded with Paul McCartney’sMusicians at the world famous Abbey Road Studiosand went on to Tour Europe and the US with manybands including ‘Sad Café’ ‘Bauhaus’ ‘Kid Ego’ and‘Sisters of Mercy’. Later in his career he met AndyWhelan and Alan Barton (Smokie) with whom hetoured and recorded. He was a long time memberof the ‘British Eagles’ and has recently touredthe UK and Europe with top US countrysinger/songwriter Gail Davies.

Graham’s talented bass playing has combined withRon’s inspirational drumming to make a world class‘rhythm section’.

Graham’s love of the songs ofSmokie, his solid bass guitarplaying and strong vocals madehim a perfect candidate for the‘The Spirit of Smokie’.As a founder member, he shared the lead vocalsover the last three years.

His early musical career started aged 18 with the‘Rockabilly Rebs’ who released 2 albums and asingle. He recorded with Paul McCartney’sMusicians at the world famous Abbey Road Studiosand went on to Tour Europe and the US with manybands including ‘Sad Café’ ‘Bauhaus’ ‘Kid Ego’ and‘Sisters of Mercy’. Later in his career he met AndyWhelan and Alan Barton (Smokie) with whom hetoured and recorded. He was a long time memberof the ‘British Eagles’ and has recently touredthe UK and Europe with top US countrysinger/songwriter Gail Davies.

Graham’s talented bass playing has combined withRon’s inspirational drumming to make a world class‘rhythm section’.

Bass Guitar

Vocals

Keyboards/Accordian

Joachim (Barney) BrandsAt the age of four Barneystarted his musical studies on Piano,Organ and Accordian.By the age of 15 he had achieved the distinction ofseveral awards, including ‘German young musician’. Hewent on to record his first two albums with rock band ‘ElShalom’ who continued between 1971 and 1981 to makeTV, radio and live appearances with great success.Following this early breakthrough, Barney became thefirst choice of many artistes and record producers, whoutilised his prolific musical talents in both studio and liveenvironments; they include (1980 to the present day):

Nina Hagen, Jerry Donahue, Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden),Uli John Roth (Scorpions), Gravedigger, Die Toten Hosen,Peter Bursch All-stars, Halber Liter, GZO (Golden TimesOrchestra), FKK, Mungo Jerry, Temptations, DanielBoone, John Coughlin (Status Quo), Hot Chocolate,Boney M, Les Humphreys, Alan Silson, The Bravo tourinitiated by Radio Nora (Northern Germany Radio) andmany more… including TV collaborations with specialfriends Jurgen von der Lippe and Thomas Stein(President of BMG/Ariola records), playing at the latter’s50th birthday party.

After touring the last four years in Europe, Asia, Russiaand Ukraine, Barney, with his ever present charismaticpersonality, has become a valued member of the band!

Dean, Ron, Andy, Graham and

Barney have toured extensively

throughout Europe, Australia and

the USA and have continued to

play the music loved by the

public since the 1970s. They

have also written a catalogue of

new songs which will be

released in the near future.

And so the music lives on…

L I V I N G N E X T D O O R T O A L I C E

I F Y O U T H I N K Y O U K N O W H O W T O L O V E M E

W H A T C A N I D O

I ’ L L M E E T Y O U A T M I D N I G H T

D O N ’ T P L A Y Y O U R R O C K N R O L L T O M E

N E E D L E S A N D P I N S

I T ’ S Y O U R L I F E

T A K E G O O D C A R E O F M Y B A B Y

M E X I C A N G I R L

B O U L E V A R D O F B R O K E N D R E A M S

C H A N G I N G A L L T H E T I M E

O H C A R O L

F O R A F E W D O L L A R S M O R E

R O C K A W A Y Y O U R T E A R D R O P S

P A S S I T A R O U N D

C H A S I N G S H A D O W S

B A B Y I T ’ S Y O U

W I L D W I L D A N G E L S

S O M E T H I N G ’ S B E E N M A K I N G M E B L U E

H A V E Y O U E V E R S E E N T H E R A I N ?

J E T L A G G E D

Spirit ofSmokie

Spirit ofSmokieSpirit ofSmokie

ArtworkanddesignbyConradSteadGraphicDesign•01423886264•conrad@conradstead.co.uk

ArtworkanddesignbyConradSteadGraphicDesign•01423886264•conrad@conradstead.co.uk