Smokie

Smokie is an English rock band from Bradford, Yorkshire who found success in Europe in the 1970s. Originally called The Yen, then The Sphynx and later Essence, the band was formed in 1965 at St. Bede's Grammar School in Heaton, Bradford. It was composed of Chris Norman (lead vocals/rhythm guitar/piano) (born Christopher Ward Norman, 25 October 1950, in Redcar, North Yorkshire), Terry Uttley (born Terence David Uttley, 9 June 1951, in Bradford, We... more

Smokie is an English rock band from Bradford, Yorkshire who found success in Europe in the 1970s. Originally called The Yen, then The Sphynx and later Essence, the band was formed in 1965 at St. Bede's Grammar School in Heaton, Bradford. It was composed of Chris Norman (lead vocals/rhythm guitar/piano) (born Christopher Ward Norman, 25 October 1950, in Redcar, North Yorkshire), Terry Uttley (born Terence David Uttley, 9 June 1951, in Bradford, West Yorkshire) (bass/vocals), Alan Silson (lead guitar/vocals) (born 21 June 1951, in Bradford, West Yorkshire) and Ron Kelly (drums) (born Ronald Bruce Kelly, 10 February 1950, in Winchester, Hampshire). As Essence, they toured small clubs in Bradford and the surrounding communities. The band became The Black Cats in 1966 and in Nov 1967 the band changed their name to The Four Corners. In April 1968, the group found a manager in Mark Jordan, who advised them to rename themselves The Elizabethans. The group now became fully professional, and... less