The Story in a different way...

 

It all starts BACK TO BRADFORD when Chris Norman, Terry Uttley and Alan Silson are in the same class in school. They go to St. Bede’s Grammar School in Bradford. Very soon their teacher is convinced that the boys are never going to make it in life, because they are only DAYDREAMIN'. They want to make music and so they do.

They are saving money to buy a guitar. FOR A FISTFULL OF DOLLARS Terry takes a job as newspaperboy and Alan very often works in the Fish and Chips shop of his parents.
After school they like to listen to music, mainly the Beatles, and they like to make music themselves.
Terry finishes school but Chris and Alan start their music career.
THE MELODY GOES ON when Terry is asked to join them and they call themselves “The Elizabethans”. Which is changed into “Kindness” very soon. They play in clubs and make their first single “Light of Love”. Ron Kelly is their drummer at that time. In 1973 Pete Spencer replaces him.

As Bill Hurley hears them play in Cheshire and after A MILLION CONVERSATIONS he arranges a contract with Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. They’ve already had a lot of succes with The Sweet and Mud.
Meanwhile they call themselves Smokey and a first record is released.
The first single “Pass it Around” is banned from the radio, because it supposedly talks about drugs.
Fortunatly the next single is doing better. “If You Think You Know How to Love Me” becomes a big hit all over Europe.
A second record is recorded and they’re touring through Europe.

As they are CHANGING ALL THE TIME they have to change their name again, this time because Smokey Robinson sues them. Smokey becomes Smokie.

They’re doing very well. They get golden and platinum albums and you can read about them in the popmagazine’s regularly.

REMEMBER THE DAYS with hits like “Living Next Door to Alice”, “Lay Back in the Arms of Someone”, “Oh Carol” and “Take Good Care of My Baby”.

Not only can you hear their musical talent on their own albums but they have also contributed to albums from other well-known artists. AIN'T IT FUNNY HOW IT WORKS but you can hear Chris’, Terry’s and Alan’s voices also on an album from Donovan (released in 1977) and on an album from Agnetha Faltskög, from Abba, (released in 1983).
Chris and Pete write 2 songs for Kevin Keagan (football player and later bondscoach of the Britisch football team). They produce a single for him which is on Dutch radio regularly.

In 1983 there is a sudden stop to the successes of Smokie. They decide to put an end to Smokie, they are FALLING APART and Chris goes further on his own (now in 2006 he still makes very good music). Pete continues to compose and play in the live band of Chris. Terry plays in different bands and Alan takes a long break.

In 1985 a part of the stand of the Bradford City Football Club catches fire during a match. A relieve fund is set up and Chris, Pete, Terry and Alan are asked to put Smokie together for a benefit concert. Of course they do, all are GOING HOME and they like it so much that they decide to stay together.
They go on tour again as before. But very soon it’s clear to Chris that he prefers to continue solo. This time Alan and Terry decide to go on. Alan Barton is asked to become the singer.
They release an album “All Fired Up”.
Steve Pinnell joins the band for drums and Martin Bullard for keyboards, and an album is released
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. They’re back in the hit lists and are touring Europe once more. They even go to South Africa, so they are a LONG WAY FROM HOME.

But again THE MELODY GOES ON and one album after the other is released and all with succes.

In 1995 Smokie is doing very well when the bus Alan Barton, Alan Silson and Terry Uttley are in get’s an accident. Alan Silson and Terry are lightly injured but Alan Barton is very badly injured and he dies in hospital after 5 days.

This is a big tragedy to over come. They want to continue and so they start looking for a new singer. He’s found very quickly. Mike Craft is not only welcomed with open arms by the band members but also by the fans.

A new album is released “The World and Elsewhere”.
In 1996 it becomes clear to Alan that it’s all too much for him. The accident, still fresh on his mind, and being on the road so often are too much for him. There is also a difference of opinion with the management so he decides to leave the band. (now Alan has his own band "Silson".)
As Alans replacement, Mick McConnell is asked. He’s well known to the band members ‘cause he’s been touring with them as one of their technicians.

As CHRISTMAS ISN'T JUST FOR CHILDREN a Christmas album is recorded, “Light a Candle”. This album contains traditional Christmas songs and songs written by themselves.
Soon after that they go to the US to record a new album.It’s an album with a country-rock sound. This album “Wild Horses” is also a succes.
Gigs are given in Russia, South Africa, Montevideo, Uruguay and ofcourse in Europe.
The next album “Uncovered” is with covered hits. This is such a great succes that they decide to make an
“Uncovered Too” album.

Even in Asia people welcome Smokie with open arms. They visit Beijing. Especially for this visit Terry writes a Chinese song “Nan Li Wan”.

In the spring of 2002 they go to Korea. The program there is packed. Radio, television and newspapers want to bring their own interviews. All this besides the gigs. On top of this they’re made honorary citizens of Korea, and they’re made ambassadors for the World Cup Football which is being held in Korea that year.
And 2003 was another great "Smokie" year.

2004 starts well for Smokie. They enjoy a well deserved holiday. Mike is recovering from an oparation on his shoulder. When he is well enough he goes to the studio to hear what the new album is going to be like.
Once they start working again they can’t be stopped. A warming up inGermany and then for a week toRussia. They continue for a  touring throughSouth Africa for a whole month. It is a great tour and the only minor is that their bus is stolen.

On the 5th of April 2004 Terry flies to Germany for a special appearance. He leaves his present colleages to join his old ones, for one night. Chris is taking part in a comeback show. And for this occasion Terry, Pete and Alan join him. Together they sing “Lay back in the arms of someone”. For the fans this is a special moment. Something they will not easily forget, especially not because Chris wins the show!

At many gigs Smokie plays songs from their new album, the album all the fans are eagerly waiting for. One of the songs they dedicate to the fans,
“Home is anywhere you are”. Soon this is one of the favourite songs.
In the autumn the album “On the wire” is released. It was worth waiting for. Soon the album is in the top 10 of many countries.
From the poll that was on this site “Josephine” and
“Tomorrow” turned out to be the favourite songs.

Meanwhile Smokie continues touring inSweden,Ireland,Denmark andGermany. In 2004 it's an ENDLESS WAY of 260 days on tour and they take 178 flights.

They can spend Christmas at home and LIGHT A CANDLE with family and friends.
But before the year is over they travel toMoscow. They are invited by Mr. Putin. They play 3 songs in a hall full of important people who are listening to them in exuberant luxary.