Spirit of Smokie - Celebrating the Music of Smokie

With a total of 15 Top-20 hits, including "Living Next Door to Alice," which sold over 30 million copies worldwide and was number one in Germany for nine weeks, they made music history. The original lineup consisted of Chris Norman (vocals, guitar), Terry Uttley (bass & vocals), Alan Silson (guitar & vocals), and Pete Spencer (drums & vocals). The band played in the classic beat setup - two guitars, bass, and drums - and stood out with their excellent harmony vocals, while lead singer Chris Norman's distinctive rough voice became another trademark. However, anyone who associates the name 'Smokie' with boring soft rock has made a mistake: even back then, there was plenty of rock 'n' roll in the guys, who thrilled audiences not only with their singing but also with emotional and captivating guitar sounds. After Chris Norman left Smokie to pursue a solo career, the band found a worthy successor in Alan Barton in 1986, whose rough voice closely resembled that of Chris Norman. Alan Barton ushered in a new era for 'Smokie' as the lead singer and further shaped the face of this world-class band with six released albums. However, a tragic accident occurred in 1995: the band's tour bus went off the road - Smokie members Terry Uttley and Alan Silson escaped with scrapes, but lead singer Alan Barton succumbed to his severe injuries. Unfortunately, after the tragic death of Alan Barton in 1995, it became quiet around 'Smokie.' Today, none other than Dean Barton, Alan Barton's son, who unmistakably inherited his father's distinctive rough yet soulful voice, stands as the frontman on the stage of SPIRIT OF SMOKIE. Alongside him is a close friend of his father's, lead guitarist Andy Whelan, who was a guitarist for Chris Norman for a long time, still collaborates with him today, and was also involved in many compositions as a friend and bandmate of Alan Barton. 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 strong voices, combined with Dean Barton's incredibly powerful and emotional raspy voice, breathe new life into Smokie's songs. World-class drummer Mick Bedford provides characteristic and innovative beats; he has toured or produced with artists such as Chris de Burgh, Sting, Elton John, Gerry Barlow, Tears for Fears, Ronan Keating, Tasmin Archer, and Sweet, to name just a few. The band is completed by keyboardist Jez Smith, also known from the British successful band John Lees' Barclay James Harvest. SPIRIT OF SMOKIE continues the great era of the 70s and 80s, carries on the powerful Smokie sound, and delights their international audience with the great Smokie hits. Modern, rocking, and with the unmistakable Smokie sound, the musicians have been successfully touring through Europe and Asia for years. Smokie has secured a firm place in the music world - their music still resonates with new generations today and remains a living legend in the music scene. With their timeless music and enduring popularity, Smokie shows that their evergreens have not lost significance in today's digital world. With Dean Barton's captivating voice and charismatic performance, along with the outstanding quality of his bandmates, SPIRIT OF SMOKIE offers a top-class live experience - impressive, emotional, and exhilarating.