Who does not remember ‘SMOKIE’? The seventies band who topped the charts with the hits “If you think you know how to love me”, “I’ll meet you at Midnight”, “Lay back in the arms of someone”, “Oh Carol”, “Wild Angels” , “What can I do” and many more. They carved their name in musical history with 15 top 20 hits including “Living next door to Alice”, selling 30 million copies worldwide.
Chris Norman, whose unmistakable gravelly voice was the ‘icing on the cake’, left the band in 1986 and a perfect replacement was found in Alan Barton, whose performance and ‘world- class’ vocals revived the fortunes of the band. They later released a further 6 Albums. Tragedy struck in 1995 when Alan, who had become ‘The face of SMOKIE’, lost his life in an accident.
With rousing guitar sounds, unique backing vocals and an early grounding playing the music of ‘Led Zeppelin’ among others, the music of ‘SMOKIE’ could never be classed as ‘boring’.
Today Alan Barton’s son, Dean Barton fronts the band ‘SPIRIT of SMOKIE’. Dean has clearly inherited the unmistakable, rugged yet sensitive voice from his father, but brings his own delivery and sense of style to the stage.
Alongside him is a close friend of his father, lead guitarist Andy Whelan, who was a longtime guitarist for Chris Norman. He continues to collaborate with Norman today and, as a friend and bandmate of Alan Barton, was involved in many compositions. The bass is played by Graham Kearns, who also toured and recorded with Alan Barton and other bands like Sad Café and Sisters of Mercy. Their powerful voices, combined with Dean Barton's incredibly strong and emotive gravelly voice, bring the songs of Smokie to new life. World-class drummer Mick Bedford, known for touring or producing for artists such as Chris de Burgh, Sting, Elton John, Gary Barlow, Tears for Fears, Ronan Keating, Tasmin Archer, and Sweet, provides distinctive and innovative beats. The band is rounded out by top-notch keyboardist Jeremy Smith from Barclay James Harvest.
In 2011, the band released the album "Room with a View" under the name "Alan Barton & The Spirit of Smokie." This album was a project Alan Barton had been working on up until his untimely death, but unfortunately, he was unable to complete it. With considerable effort, the original tapes were restored, digitized, and the few remaining parts and harmonies were recorded and added.
Sixteen years after Alan Barton's death, an album was created that can proudly stand alongside Smokie's greatest works.
SPIRIT OF SMOKIE perform in the tradition of this great era, continuing the powerful Smokie sound and captivating audiences with the classic Smokie hits. Spirit of Smokie seamlessly blend their modern and rock-infused sound with the distinctive Smokie sound of the 70s. With Dean Barton's captivating voice and charismatic performance, combined with the outstanding quality of his bandmates, SPIRIT OF SMOKIE delivers a live experience of the highest caliber—impressive, emotional, and exhilarating.
BOOKING CONTACT
DOMINIK DRÖSE
+49 (0) 30 440 42 888
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