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

Smoky Group - the legendary British group70-ies, 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 Sillson wereclassmates in a school 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 recorded two records remained unnoticed by the public. Only in 1974, the young musicians noticed the fashion 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 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 immense popularity, itsNew 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 popular. 1978 becomes a year of triumph for musicians. But for this, a great work was done: the disk came out "The Montreux Album", called musicalcritics of the best disc of 1978. Chris Norman and Peter Spencer composed the single "Mexican girl", which became the greatest hit of the year. The song "Stumblin" in "co-executed by Chris Norman and Susie Quatro immediately appears in the Top-10 of the magazine" Billboard. "According to surveys of European music magazines, the audience named Norman and Spencer the best composers of 1978. The musicians become true superstars. The discs are sold in millions of copies, the concerts are held with the same sold-out advertisements, as it often happens, in the 80s the band 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 performed so successfully that it was decided to continue working together. But Chris Norman by this time already began to form a solo career, and in 1986 he finally leaves the group.

"Smokey" continue their creative path,record a lot of new songs. And, although the former rock band Smoky was not able to return the former popularity, her work continues to please fans all over the world.