Smoky Group - the history of origin and the way to success

Smoky Group - the legendary British band of the 70s, which has a bright musical personality, is still actively touring. Almost forty-year history of the group is a story of ups and downs, a story about talent and professionalism. But it all began with a simple school friendship.

The path to popularity

Christopher Ward Norman and Allan Silson were classmates in one of the schools in the small town of Bradford. Deciding to create a rock band, they invited her two more students - Thierry Attley, who plays the bass guitar, and drummer Peter Spencer. The group was named Elisabeth. First they played at school parties, the repertoire consisted of Beatles songs. Then the guys began to write their songs and, changing the name to "Kindness" ("Kindness"), in 1968 went to conquer London. But the group did not achieve much success. I had to play in small pubs and clubs. Even with great difficulty, the two records recorded went unnoticed by the public. Only in 1974, the young musicians noticed the fashionable authors Nikki Chin and Mike Chapman working with Suzy Quatro. In their person the group receives producer support and again changes the name - now it is the group "Smokey". In 1975, there comes the first breakthrough to the top of the charts. The single "If you think you know how to love me" was released, which became an international hit, and then the same success awaits the album "Changing all the time". After the album of the new band goes to the USA, an awkward situation arises: in America there is already a performer with the name "Smokey" - Smokey Robinson. To avoid misunderstandings and disputes, the group corrects its name. Now and forever it is "Smokie".

At the peak of success

The Smokey group is gaining huge popularity, its new songs immediately become hits. The four have been touring the world with great success. A separate tour had to be done in Australia - the music and songs of Smokey are incredibly in demand. 1978 becomes a year of triumph for musicians. But for this, a great work was done: the disk came out "The Montreux Album", called by music critics the best disc of 1978. Chris Norman and Peter Spencer composed the single "Mexican girl", which became the greatest hit of the year. Jointly performed by Chris Norman and Susie Quatro, the song "Stumblin 'in" immediately appears in the Top-10 of the magazine "Billboard". According to polls of European music magazines, the audience named Norman and Spencer the best composers of 1978. Musicians become true superstars. Smoky Group accompanies commercial success. Disks are sold in millions of copies, concerts are held with the same sold-out. As is often the case, in the 1980s the group had a creative crisis.

In 1982, Smokey announced a self-dissolution. But in 1985, the musicians came together to play in their native Bradford at a charity concert. The reason for this action was a fire at a football stadium in which people were killed. The Smokey Group was so successful that it was decided to continue working together. But Chris Norman by this time already began to develop a solo career, and in 1986 he finally leaves the group.

"Smokey" continue their creative path, they record many new compositions. And, although the former rock band Smokey could not return the former popularity, her work continues to please fans all over the world.