Average White Band 1976 and 1980
PIck Up The Pieces! The Average White Band were great favourites of some of my mates in the 70s. Their blend of funk and rock would fill the dance floor in discos. I saw them in concert a couple of times, at Newcastle City Hall in 1976 and again in 1980. I remember that as a tight rock/jazz outfit, great at what they did, but to be honest they were never really by cup of tea. I went to see them along with friends who were more into them than me.
The Average White Band split up in 1982 but regrouped after some years and are still playing today. They played recently at the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall as part of the Celtic Connections festival. Looking back through the programmes, which are pictured here, from those gigs did bring back some memories. The support act on one of those tours, I owuld think 1976, was Kokomo. 
Now there was a band, who are all but forgotten now, and much under-rated. Their blend of soul and funk was much more to my liking. Kokomo drew its musicians from a number of UK bands including The Grease Band, Arrival, and King Crimson. I recall seeing Kokomo quite a few times: a great gig in Newcastle Poly and at the Reading Festival, but can’t recall any of their songs. I must try and find one of their lps.
Bands like Average White Band and Kokomo represent a particular time and period to me; in fact I’d almost forgotten them. I’m finding the exercise of working through my programme and ticket collection very interesting. Its bringing back old memories, and reminding me of bands and times that I had forgotten. Its taking longer than I thought, however; I’m working through them, at least in part, alphabetically, and I haven’t yet completed the letter A…..
3 Mar
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by Duncan Kilburn on April 30, 2012 at 8:54 pm
I saw The Average White Band in Central Park New York in 1976. Went out and bought an alto sax the next day and formed The Psychedelic Furs with Richard Butler 6 months later. I can trace it all back to that gig! Trouble is I can’t remember it …
Posted by geoffn on November 4, 2014 at 2:05 pm
As you may know, Kokomo have reformed for occasional gigs. Check out Richard Williams’ One Blue Moment blog for enthusiastic commentary http://thebluemoment.com/2014/08/28/sweet-home-kokomo/comment-page-1/
Posted by vintagerock on November 4, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Thanks Geoff I should try and catch them live again Cheers Peter
Posted by Alan Jackson on October 20, 2016 at 9:21 pm
More Kokomo gigs in March 2017. See http://www.kokomo.band
Posted by Harry Shemilt on December 31, 2022 at 8:13 pm
I was a fan of AWB and saw them 3 times between 1975 and 1977. When I was a student in Manchester, I saw them on their tour with Kokomo and like you, were impressed with the support act. But I didn’t seek out any discs from them at the time. I also caught AWB on the 1977 tour with Ben E. King. After their separate sets, they got together to showcase the ‘Benny and Us’ album. Magic. Both acts were at the top of their game.
Posted by vintagerock on December 31, 2022 at 8:44 pm
Thanks for sharing Harry. The tour with Ben E King sounds great! Happy days Peter
Posted by Robert Leatherbarrow on April 26, 2024 at 9:12 am
Kokomo supported AWB in Manchester mid 70s (from a hazy memory the Opera House) but could have been FreeTrade Hall.? Got to the gig without knowing who was back up (so a good surprise) I had jus bought their album with an 11 minute version of Bobby Womacks I can understand it… Vgood knight was indeed I’m guessing around 3 quid in those days.. 👍👌
Posted by vintagerock on April 26, 2024 at 11:15 am
Yes Kokomo were a pretty great band. Happy days Peter