Pick up the Pieces! The Average White Band were great favourites of mine 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 them as a tight rock/jazz outfit, who had some great classic singles such as the aforementioned “Pick up the Pieces”. The Average White Band split up in 1982 but regrouped after some years and have finally decided call it a day with: A Funk Finale – Farewell Tour 2024.
The publicity announced this farewell tour: “Average White Band, one of the soul and funk bands of all-time will bring their farewell tour to venues in 2024. The group will perform their biggest hits and fan favourites, such as US No.1 Pick Up the Pieces, Cut The Cake.…….Formed in London in 1972, the band – somewhat incongruously given their Scottish roots – took the influences of their R&B heroes such as Marvin Gaye, James Brown and Stevie Wonder, and Jazz greats Cannonball Adderley and The Crusaders, then developed their own authentic sound rapidly adopted by black audiences in the US, UK and worldwide.
The group’s consistently accomplished songwriting helped them to achieve several Gold & Platinum-selling albums and multiple Grammy nominations with Atlantic Records. Having remained a perennial fixture at top venues & festivals across the world for over 50 years, the Average White Band’s farewell tour is the not-to-be-missed last chance for multiple generations of fans to experience the musical energy and trademark sound of one of the world’s truly great soul bands.”
So, another band from my past touring for the last time. Well, of course I had to go along and grasp this one last chance of seeing an iconic band who successfully blended soul music with jazz, rock and R&B. Always difficult to categorise, the Average White band hailed from Glasgow and produced music which was uncharacteristic of their home city.
Two guitarists and vocalists Onnie McIntrye and Alan Gorrie remain from the original band, alongside a set of musicians who they have assembled over the years, including a black soul singer who now fronts the band. But Alan Gorrie was very much the bandleader, with his old friend and side kick Onnie McIntyre standing quietly to his left on guitar duties.
The Tyne Theatre was packed ready to say a last goodbye to this band. I can’t say I recognised many of the songs, but I greatly enjoyed the performance, and I was glad I took the opportunity to catch them one last time. Of course, I knew the aforementioned “pick up the pieces” and “cut the cake” but I had forgotten the great singalong “let’s go round again” which had the entire theatre audience up and dancing.
Many thanks to Jan for the photographs and to Chris for helping me manipulate the site stop
The concert was in two parts and the set list ran something like this:
Set 1: I Just Can’t Give You Up; The Jugglers; This World Has Music; You Got It; Person to Person; Keepin’ It to Myself; McEwan’s Export; T.L.C.; Cloudy; Work to Do.
Set 2: When Will You Be Mine; Walk on By; Cut the Cake; A Love of Your Own; Whatcha’ Gonna Do for Me; Atlantic Avenue; Put It Where You Want It.
Encore: Let’s Go Round Again; Pick Up the Pieces
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by TerriersFan on May 27, 2024 at 11:12 am
Another quality review of a top band. Thanks Peter!
Roger 👍🤘
Posted by vintagerock on May 27, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Thanks for your support Roger. More to follow. I have been on a roll lately. Cheers Peter
Posted by Bryan on May 27, 2024 at 12:00 pm
I first saw AWB in 1980, at the Crystal Palace Bowl. I really went to see Luton boys Paul Young & Tony Hughes playing with the Q Tips. However, we got Joe Jackson & Bob Marley & The Wailers thrown in too! All for £7.50!
Posted by vintagerock on May 27, 2024 at 12:24 pm
Sounds a great concert Bryan. I once saw Eric Clapton there. It is a lovely venue best wishes Peter