| Author | Message | ||
  bigdaddyg2k4 (bigdaddyg2k4) 4-Laureate Username: bigdaddyg2k4 Post Number: 88 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.138.55.124 |
On September 23, 1974, Robbie McIntosh, drummer for the funk/soul outfit, Average White Band, tragically died from an apparent drug overdose at a party in Hollywood celebrating their self-titled album release and the subsequent success of their hit single, "Pick Up The Pieces"; he was 23 years old. The story I heard was that he was slipped some heroin or cocaine into his drink and he unknowingly ingested the drug which contributed to his demise. Although eventually the band replaced him with session drummer Steve Ferrone during the sessions for the album "Cut The Cake" in 1975 (for which AWB lovingly dedicated the album to his memory), he is still remembered and regarded as a remarkable musician and good friend to those who knew him. Does anyone have any in-depth info on Robbie's death, how did it happen and who was responsible for poisoning his drink which caused his passing? Robbie McIntosh was just beginning to relize his talents as a drummer and finally getting his shot at stardom when this sensless event occured. For all you fans of AWB, please step forward and give us your thoughts about this extraordinary band and the events that surrounded that tragic episode. 2 THE FUNKIEST BAND IN THE LAND, WHICH HAPPENED 2 BE WHITE! I THINK THEY ARE BROTHERS IN DISGUISE Y'ALL! AND FROM SCOTLAND OF ALL PLACES! Essential LPs: Show Your Hand (1973)-their little-known debut for MCA before switching to Atlantic Average White Band (1974)-The audiophile label Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab did a masterful re-master on vinyl years ago of this soul masterpiece, faithfully reproducing the sleeve and all of the bells and whistles that it deserved. And of course, great production from Atlantic staff producer Arif Mardin didn't hurt either. Cut The Cake (1975)-got that album, the only AWB record I have period,  -SO SAD! Benny And Us (1977)-never heard the Lp, but it must be special because the did a collabo with label mate Ben E. King for this classic joint. Warmer Communications (1978)-Funny wordplay for their then-label parent to Atlantic and a sexy cover reminiscent to '74s AWB album, but a real lady stepping out of a what seem like a very hot and steamy hot tub! Essential Singles: Pick Up The Pieces (1974)-the one that started it all for AWB Cut The Cake (1975)-great fretwork by Hamish Stuart made this track memorable School Boy Crush (1975)-believe it or not, Hamish swiches over to bass for this track and the results are nothing short of amazing. Cloudy (1976)-one of the most soulful of blue-eyed soul ever put on record for this live set. I'm The One (1976)-Again are they black or white? A Love Of Your Own (1976)-they really give many r&b singers a run for their money on this slow-jam classic. | ||
kevin quinn (kevin_quinn) 2-Debutant Username: kevin_quinn Post Number: 26 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 151.197.181.82 |
bigdaddy: From all of the accounts that I read, the group was at a party at Cher's house in L.A clebrating the release of their new album. McIntosh and Alan Gorrie, Hamish Stuart's vocal counterpart, were stricken by the drug. Robbie died later at the hospital but as legend goes Cher was very instrumental in saving Gorrie's lfe. Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre are the only two original members still playing under the AWB name. McIntosh was a great drummer and came over to AWB from Brian Auger's Oblivion Express. He was replaced by the phenomenal Steve Ferrone. Most people were surprised when they heard that the group was from Scotland and marveled at AWB concerts when they introduced their next jam with a Scottish accent. The orignal band made three more albums after Warmer Communications and broke up at the end of 1982. The one album not mentioned that was right up there at the height of their career was 1976's Soul Searchin'. This was a masterpiece all the way through from start to finish. Benny & Us teamed them up with Ben E. King in 1977 and produced the brilliant "Star In The Ghetto." In their day, AWB was one of the hottest live shows to see and most people didn't care what color they were once they started playing! | ||
David Meikle (david_meikle) 5-Doyen Username: david_meikle Post Number: 402 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 62.252.128.19 |
Glasgow folks always took a special interest in the career of the Average White Band as they played on the club scene there for a number of years in the late sixties. At that time they were known as Dream Police and we used to love seeing them because they had a very Soulful music policy, and were damn good. Great memories from the Club Maryland on Scott Street, in Glasgow, circa 1968  | ||
1wicked (1wicked) 5-Doyen Username: 1wicked Post Number: 301 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.126.64.72 |
AWB was one of the hardest funkin' acts out there in the 70's...and beyond. I saw them perform as the middle act on a 3 act bill that was being headlined by WAR. Their show was so high energy, funk filled, and totally off the hook...that people either walked out after AWB left the stage, or stayed and booed WAR mercilessly. Like that routine by comedian Barry Sonnefeld (sp ??)...people were walking around talking about "I can't take no mo'...AWB is baaaad !!" Now...to get a taste of that AWB live funk, you've gotta find a copy of the long out of print "Atlantic All-Stars Live at Montreaux". We're talking one whole side of "Pick Up The Pieces"...featuring AWB, Herbie Mann, and every jazz artist that was on Atlantic at the time. Smokin' !! | ||
Kev-Lo (7273747576) 5-Doyen Username: 7273747576 Post Number: 246 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.237.29.12 |
Hi this is Kev-Lo yes AWB was my one of my favorite groups of the 70's.I had the pleasure of seeing them here in New York at central park,they put on a great show.I remember that tragic day when they lost Robbie Mcintosh he was in deed a great drummer.In fact I was in high school at that time.I also had all of their LP's.My favorite LP they did was the Soul Searching LP.It was full of soul and funk. | ||
Kevin Goins - KevGo (kevgo) 5-Doyen Username: kevgo Post Number: 189 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.33.205.135 |
I saw and met the current AWB lineup in 1995 when they appeared at the now-defunct Trammps nightclub in NYC. Alan Gorrie, Roger Ball and Onnie MacIntrye were (and still are)in the group. They were funky as hell at Trammps (no surprise) and played some then-new material from a CD that was released two years later. I talked to Alan backstage about their current material and he stressed that they were NOT looking for a deal with a major label - they wanted to sign with an independent that would help them market their work more closely (which they eventually did). Besides his work with AWB, Alan Gorrie is the guitarist in Darryl Hall's backing band (Alan co-wrote/co-produced tunes from Darryl's latest solo CD, which sounds VERY much like an AWB album!). Hamish Stuart is the guitarist/bassist in Paul McCartney's band. BTW, I remember when Robbie McIntosh died - heard it on Casey Kasem's "American Top 40" radio show. Kevin Goins - KevGo | ||
Wonder B (wonder_b) 6-Zenith Username: wonder_b Post Number: 715 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 193.253.226.196 |
No one has mentioned three other albums by AWB, the Double LP Person To Person LIve, Shine from the early 80's with the great Watcha Gonna Do For Me, later covered by Chaka Khan and the follow-up album Cupid's In Fashion...  There was also a later 80's album (without Hamish) which hopefully vanished cos' it wasn't good at all... Yeah 1Wicked that Atlantic Family live Double LP was great too!!! Wonder B | ||
FrankM (frankm) 2-Debutant Username: frankm Post Number: 30 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.152.61.75 |
Recently I found a CD by a Scottish outfit called the Senate. I knew they had backed Garnett Mimms on his Live album and the producer had ran the tapes over three nights of gigs including the warm up by the band. Thus they got their own album.Very much in the style of the British groups who played the clubs like Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band, Jimmy James and The Vagabonds and Chris Farlow and The Thunderbirds the Senate's live set was mostly soul covers. They had a grat vocalist in Alex Ligertwood (later with Santana) but what hit me when I put teh CD on was the drumming. I'm a fan of drummers and have seen Keith Moon, Al Jackson,and Jim Keltner. Anyway The Senate "Socks it to you One more time" opens with, of Course Rex Garvin's Sock It to Em JB. When I heard the drum break i had to scramble for the CD cover and was amazed to see the name of Robbie McIntosh. Check the playlist here http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.a sp?catalogid=281765 | ||
John Barry Sheffield (jaybs) 4-Laureate Username: jaybs Post Number: 74 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.92.168.165 |
That is real sad news about Robbie! and a shock, the Radio Station I worked for used "Pick up the Pieces" as it's test music back in 1974 prior to starting transmissions in October that year. Then in 1998 I managed a Liverpool Boy Band named ATLANTA and we did a version of "AWB'S" - Let's Go Round Again, after Alan Gorie heard the rough mix he agreed to come to Manchester and lay a vocal down with the young Liverpool Guys he was that impressed. I picked Alan up at the Airport and what a time we had on the journey to the studio talking about one great band AVERAGE WHITE BAND - never average! John | ||
bee soul (bsoul) 2-Debutant Username: bsoul Post Number: 13 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.138 |
Remember the U.S. 1974 release by MCA, "Put It Where You Want It". It is the same album (Show Your Hand) but contains one different track, (How Can You Go Home), and a different album cover. The one song on both of these albums that should have been a hit was (Twilight Zone). | ||
1wicked (1wicked) 5-Doyen Username: 1wicked Post Number: 302 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.126.64.72 |
"Put It Where You Want It" was a great cover of the cut that introduced The Crusaders to the masses. | ||
zebop (zebop) 4-Laureate Username: zebop Post Number: 137 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
I've got "Put It Where You Want It." I remember the cover was a knock-off of the covers they were doing for Atlantic at the time. IMO "Show Your Hand" certainly good have been a hit. Turns out Arif Mardin didn't have to do that much with them after all. I love most of their stuff, wasn't crazy about "Cut the Cake" but I sure did love "AWB", "Soul Searching" and singles like "Let's Go Round Again" and "For You, For Love." AWB was always a great group but IMO it lost a little something when Robbie McIntosh died--he was a phenomenal drummer. Ferrone? I probably loved his stuff with Chaka Khan even more than his AWB tracks. | ||
Kevin Goins - KevGo (kevgo) 5-Doyen Username: kevgo Post Number: 196 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.33.205.32 |
Prior to signing with Atlantic, AWB was recording for UNI/MCA Records. They were signed to the label by Russ Regan. Unfortunately, Regan left UNI/MCA and took his support staff with him, leaving MCA with not much of a department or staff to handle R&B music (this prompted Barry White to pull Love Unlimited from MCA and going with Regan to 20th Century Fox). After Atlantic executive Jerry Wexler heard AWB at a club, he bought their contract from MCA and had them record a new batch of songs that wound up on their debut Atlantic album. MCA tried to cash in on the group's success (by releasing their tapes under the "Put It Where You Want It" banner) but Atlantic had the promotion staff (and backing from the label's owner Time Warner) to make sure their album was a success at the same time squashing MCA's release. MCA sued Atlantic claiming that the band's album was just a re-release of their MCA material! Fortunately that wasn't the case & the lawsuit was thrown out of court. Kevin Goins - KevGo | ||
bee soul (bsoul) 2-Debutant Username: bsoul Post Number: 14 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.138 |
anybody remember their last album 1982's Cupids In Fashion. | ||
kevin quinn (kevin_quinn) 2-Debutant Username: kevin_quinn Post Number: 27 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 141.151.89.15 |
bee soul Cupud's In Fashion came out in the summer of '82 and was their second and last Arista album. By that time the group seemed to be going in different musical directions and the result was a very unven record by AWB standards. Producer Dan Hartman had watered down their sound so much that the fat sounding underbelly was gone. There was a Kashif song "Easier Said Than Done" that showcased Hamish Stuart's vocals nicely but the whole effort really sounded strained. There was also a pretty limp cover of the 4 Tops "Reach Out, I'll Be There." I had seen the original band probably 30 times starting in '74 and, as big a fan I was of the band, by the end of '82 when this album came out, I knew the end was near. The spark was gone. A closing treat though was when I saw the original AWB in one of their last shows at the Ripley Music Hall in December '82 in Philly. They were so good "live" that even the 2 or Cupid's cuts they played were great along with all of their estabished standards. | ||
David Meikle (david_meikle) 5-Doyen Username: david_meikle Post Number: 406 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 62.252.128.19 |
Davie Gordon sends in this rare photograph of The Senate. I may be wrong but I have a feeling that Dream Police used to play "Sock it to 'em JB".  | ||
Don (don) 6-Zenith Username: don Post Number: 953 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.57.202 |
David M, didn't one of AWB's members play with Sir Paul McCarthy in the late 80's/early 90's. I can't think of the guy's name? Don | ||
David Meikle (david_meikle) 6-Zenith Username: david_meikle Post Number: 417 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 62.252.128.19 |
Don I can't confrim that but I note references to McCartney in one of KevGo's posts. | ||
Don (don) 6-Zenith Username: don Post Number: 958 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.57.202 |
I asked the question because I seen a music video of Paul McCartney on VH1 Classics just last nite. I think the concert was held in Russia in the early 90's. I still can't think of dude's name. He would switch from guitar to bass. He was with AWB, I think he was a bleach blonde guy with a short haircut. I think his name was Stuart something? | ||
Davie Gordon (davie_gordon) 5-Doyen Username: davie_gordon Post Number: 245 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.157.113.208 |
Hamish Stuart - he was co-lead singer for the AWB - the one with the Scottish "afro" hair. I should have mentioned earlier that Ben E. King's links to the AWB guys go back years before they recorded the "Benny and Us" album The Senate were Ben's back up band for a 1967 UK tour and he wrote and produced the Senate's one and only single. The AWB's other guitarist had been in band called Scots of St.James - their first single, in 1966, was a version of Ben E King's "Gypsy". Davie | ||
Iris Smith (hellostranger) 2-Debutant Username: hellostranger Post Number: 12 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 68.76.87.24 |
I just love AWB, I have most of the LP's listed, and as soon as I can stop performing as an extra vocalist, (when playing my LPs) I'll put them all on CDs Iris | ||
Destruction (destruction) 6-Zenith Username: destruction Post Number: 455 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 199.173.224.20 |
"A Love Of Your Own (1976)-they really give many r&b singers a run for their money on this slow-jam classic." Thx to my main man Sleprock's band, this song became a talent show standard in parts of East Bmore and remains my fave AWB cut. | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 5-Doyen Username: paladin Post Number: 386 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 152.132.8.197 |
Destruction & Iris I have been busy posting elsewhere and dam near forgot about this band/thread. I know that Hamish Stuart wrote a tune for Michael Jackson as well as one for the Tempts but the names escape me now. I know that I'll run across them sooner or later being such an avid liner note reader. I saw them perform in Chicago at The Auditotrium theater in their hey day and their nearest rivals where "Tower Of Power" these guys could sing and play with the best of them. A Love of Your Own is my favorite jam as well......the sooner you give.... Kdubya | ||
kevin quinn (kevin_quinn) 2-Debutant Username: kevin_quinn Post Number: 29 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 141.151.91.190 |
Kdubya: Hamish also wrote "If Your Heart Isn't In It" for Atlantic Star and the original "Whatcha Gonna Do For Me" later covered by Chaka Khan. A highlight from the "Soul Searchin" album is to hear the end of "A Love Of Your Own" blend right into "Queen Of My Soul", which was one of Hamish's highpoints on a song he wrote and really wailed on. Hamish was always a huge Donny Hathaway fan, citing him as his favorite singer and drawing many influences. He put out a rare 8-song tribute CD to Donny last year and covered "She Is My Lady" on his 2000 Hamish Stuart Band album "Sooner Or Later." | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 5-Doyen Username: paladin Post Number: 397 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 152.132.8.197 |
Thanks Kevin,I had never heard of this 8 song CD, but I'll start looking. I'd love to add it to my collection. | ||
Davie Gordon (davie_gordon) 5-Doyen Username: davie_gordon Post Number: 251 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.157.113.195 |
Kdubya, while you're looking for Hamish's album keep an eye out for "Hard Candy" by Ned Doheny a 1976 album on Columbia - produced by Steve Cropper it includes Ned's original version of both "A Love Of Your Own" and "Get It Up For Love" which was later recorded by Tata Vega among others. It's an excellent blue-eyed soul album - and Hamish Stuart is one of the background singers. Davie | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 5-Doyen Username: paladin Post Number: 398 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 152.132.8.197 |
thanks...... | ||
zebop (zebop) 4-Laureate Username: zebop Post Number: 148 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Hey Kdubya, the Temptations song Hamish Stuart wrote is "I Got Your Number" it's on the "Together Again" album. | ||
Kdubya (paladin) 5-Doyen Username: paladin Post Number: 402 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 152.132.8.197 |
Thanks Zebop, At the time of my post I was suffering from some serious CRS!!! LOL!!!!!!! |
