Spirit ofSmokieSpirit ofSmokie

To understand where it all began,first look at the history of theband that became ‘Smokie’Originating from Bradford, England the first line up was formedby school friends Chris Norman, Ron Kelly and Alan Silson. InJuly 1975, after several name changes and recording contractsSmokie had a top-five UK hit with ‘If you think you know how tolove me’. Further success followed with a total of 15 top 20 hitsincluding ‘Living Next door to Alice’ which was No. 1 in Germanyfor nine weeks. The band sold in excess of 30 million recordsworldwide.

In 1986 Chris Norman embarked on a solo career and a ‘newlook’ Smokie arrived on the scene, complete with Chris’sreplacement Alan Barton. Alan breathed new life into Smokie,who went from strength to strength, adding new fans to theiralready loyal following.

Disaster struck the band on 19th March 1995. Travelling homefrom a concert in terrible weather conditions, the bus carryingthe band crashed. Alan Barton, the band’s lead singer andguitarist was taken to hospital in Cologne (Koln) where hisinjuries proved to be fatal. He lost his battle to stay alive onthe 23rd March 1995 aged 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 Barton and ChrisNorman’s keyboard player Kevin Fitzpatrick to perform acelebration of Alan’s life. For two hours the audience rocked asSmokie’s hits were played. At the end of the concert a member ofthe audience was heard to remark: “It almost seemed like theSpirit of Smokie was on the stage tonight”.

And so it begins…

Ron KellyRon has a long and colourful musical history! It’s quitepossible that without Ron Kelly fate would have givenus a world without Smokie!From an early age he practised hard to master the drummer’scraft. Still at school, he waslooking for musicians to form a band, and by chance he met Alan Silson and Chris Norman.The three became firm friends playing school dances and youth clubs until Ron attendedcollege to further his education. At this time Ron joined a band called the ‘Black Cats’ butsoon imported Alan and Chris into the unit! A name change to the ‘ELIZABETHANS’followed leading to various nightclub concerts.

In 1970 the boys changed their name to ‘KINDNESS’. Whilst signed to Steve Rowland andAlbert Hammond’s ‘Family Dog Productions’ they recorded singles on the R.C.A. BellRecords and Decca labels. They also had success playing as the backing band for PeterNoone of ‘Herman’s Hermits’ fame.

Ron, who impressed with his abilities on drums, had an offer he could not refuse from anew high profile rock band – He joined the ‘JV Band’ who had a forthcoming 90-dayAmerican tour with US recording giants ‘Steely Dan’. Later that year he toured the UK andEurope with rock giants ‘Argent’, producing two widely acclaimed albums. As a sessionmusician he was re-united with the legendary producer Steve Rowland and among hismany recordings he played on Albert Hammond’s worldwide hit ‘It Never rains in SouthernCalifornia’. 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 under which he recorded manyalbums and singles, among them records for Graham Bonnet of ‘Rainbow’ fame. Christmas1978 came and Ringo Starr showed his appreciation by presenting Ron with a specialwatch, commissioned only for close friends. New offers of work came in and Ron movedon, playing concerts with ‘The Climax Blues Band’ who had a number 1 hit with ‘Couldn’tGet it Right’. The 90s found him working in the Studio with world famous artist LisaStansfield and Bruce Foxton of ‘The Jam’.

Finally in 2005 after an illustrious musical career, he came full circle, renewing hisfriendship with Alan Silson who along with Graham Kearns and Andy Whelan founded ‘TheAlan Silson Band’.

Ron remains the driving force behind the Spirit of Smokie, freely finding time to giveinterviews to all branches of the media. His recollections provide a fascinating insight intothe early touring years with the original members of Smokie plus the bonus of Rock legendRingo Starr.

Drums

Dean BartonSurrounded by music and themusic business, Dean wasencouraged by his Father to playthe guitar and develop hispromising voice, which fullymatured has tones reminiscentof his father, Alan and originalSmokie frontman Chris Norman.Along with his Rock and Roll looks Dean is an Idealchoice to front the band, his firm intentions to play,sing and produce the original hits of Smokie withspirit and style. He is also a prolific songwriter andhas songs on Bravo Hits including ‘Hard toUnderstand’ reaching No1 in the charts! He sang thebonus song ‘Think about the Night’ on the Smokiealbum ‘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 talented artists, 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 other thanElton John to play at his 40th birthdayparty! He is a founder member ofthe ‘Alan Silson Band’

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 ‘TheSpirit of Smokie’.Well liked and well known to Smokie fans he sharedlead vocals with Alan Silson. His early musical careerstarted aged 18 with the ‘Rockabilly Rebs’ whoreleased 2 albums and a single. He recorded withPaul McCartney’s Musicians at the world famousAbbey Road Studios and went on to Tour Europe andthe US with many bands including ‘Sad Café’‘Bauhaus’ ‘Kid Ego’ and ‘Sisters of Mercy’. Later inhis career he met Andy Whelan and Alan Barton(Smokie) with whom he toured and recorded. A longtime touring member of the ‘British Eagles’ herecently completed a European tour with top UScountry singer/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 ‘TheSpirit of Smokie’.Well liked and well known to Smokie fans he sharedlead vocals with Alan Silson. His early musical careerstarted aged 18 with the ‘Rockabilly Rebs’ whoreleased 2 albums and a single. He recorded withPaul McCartney’s Musicians at the world famousAbbey Road Studios and went on to Tour Europe andthe US with many bands including ‘Sad Café’‘Bauhaus’ ‘Kid Ego’ and ‘Sisters of Mercy’. Later inhis career he met Andy Whelan and Alan Barton(Smokie) with whom he toured and recorded. A longtime touring member of the ‘British Eagles’ herecently completed a European tour with top UScountry singer/songwriter Gail Davies.

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

Bass Guitar

Vocals

TeriSullivan

Teri is a talented, vivacious singer; she has the ability to sing ballads, rock,pop, blues and country.Teri has worked and collaborated in a number of partnerships, including; Brian Bennett (Shadows), Chip Hawkes (Tremoloes), T-Rex and recently sung on Alan Silson’s solo album ‘Solitary Bird’.

Her cousin Chris Norman (who she recently toured Bulgaria and the Russian Federation with) produced her solo album‘Untamed’, duetting with her on ‘After all the Love’. The album had rave reviews and reached number 3 in the AmericanNewcomers Chart. It had further successes in Australia, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, France, Belgium and Italy. TheSpirit of Smokie always welcomes Teri and her substantial talents, especially when taking the ‘Suzi Quatro’ role i.e. singing theduet ‘Stumblin In’ with Dean, as she did on recent Russian and UK concerts.

VocalsKevin FitzpatrickKeyboards / VocalsKevin’s musical and acting

career is vast.A trained pianist and natural musician from an earlyage, his multi instrumental musical journey began inLondon in the early eighties, where he played in a 10piece rock ensemble. This brought him to theattention of ‘Iron Maiden’ guitarist Dennis Stratton,who offered him a position in his new band‘Lionheart’ with whom he performed his firstTelevision concert.

He went on to tour with many major artists,including: T. Rex, Jeff Lynne (ELO), Ace Kefford (TheMove), Gerry and the Pacemakers (of Merseysidefame), Chris Norman and Alan Silson (Smokie). Hisacting credits include playing the roles of both JohnLennon and the ‘Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein(though not at the same time!). Over the years Kevinhas made more than 30 Television and Dramaappearances.

Always with ‘Rock and Roll’ in his heart, the latenineties saw him return to writing and recording,appearing on a string of Albums by European and USbands. In 2000 he was invited to join ‘Off The Wall’who are fast becoming the worlds leading ‘PinkFloyd’ touring production.

Kevin is delighted to be re-united with former ‘AlanSilson band’ members; Ron Kelly, Graham Kearns andAndy Whelan. Together with lead vocalist DeanBarton, he looks forward to future concerts.

Dean, Andy, Ron, Graham,

Barney, Kevin and Teri have

toured extensively throughout

Europe, Australia and the USA

and have continued to play the

music loved by the public since

the 1970s. The New album

‘RoomWith A View’ has been

released.

And so the music and the spirit

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

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Al Barton& Spirit of Smokie

Room With a View

On Sale Now from amazon.deor download athttp://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/room-with-a-view/id453479093

Web: www.spiritofsmokie.com • Email: gerardrolfe_ctc@ukinbox.com