The Average White Band will perform in Spotlight 29 Casino’s Showroom Friday.
One of the most sampled bands of all time, the Scottish funk group has been active for more than half a century. Average White Band, also known as AWB, is on the American leg of its farewell “Let’s Go Round Again One Last Time” tour.
Two of AWB’s original members, Alan Gorrie and Owen “Onnie” McIntyre, are still touring with the band today.
The band was widely influenced by overseas R&B artists such as Marvin Gaye and James Brown, with its name being a tongue-in-cheek nod to music that was thought to be too funky for an average white band, according to American Songwriter. Former drummer Robbie McIntosh had a jazz-influenced musical background, while frequent collaborator Bonnie Bramlett had a brief stint singing back-up for Ike and Tina Turner.
AWB is best known for “Pick Up the Pieces,” a single from the band’s 1974 self-titled album. Written as a song about “picking yourself up when things aren’t going well,” according to producer Arif Mardin, the song ironically became a massive success, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Since then, the band has garnered three Grammy nominations and shifted its lineup over time. The majority of the current roster is American-born, establishing AWB as a multi-generational funk and soul staple.
After taking the stage at Spotlight 29, AWB will play additional in-state shows in Temecula, Vallejo and San Diego before concluding the tour in Chandler, Arizona on Nov. 22.