Smokie

British rock band Smokie formed in 1964, originally calling themselves The Yen, then The Sphynx and later Essence. They settled on the name Smokey in the early ‘70s, but after Amercian soul legend Smokey Robinson threatened to file a law suit, claiming the name was too similar, they agreed to drop the ‘ey’ and went with Smokie instead.

The band’s first album Pass It Around, was released in February 1975, but failed to achieve any significant success. Their second album Changing All the Time came out later that year in September, and the album’s first single 'If You Think You Know How to Love Me' shot to fame in Europe, hitting number 3 in Britain.

However it was their 1976 ballad of unrequited love, 'Living next door to Alice’ which propelled Smokie to international fame. It was followed by the equally successful 'Lay Back in the Arms of Someone'.

Now major European stars, Smokie were playing sold-out tours and enjoying their height of fame. Their next two albums Bright Lights & Back Alleys (1977) and The Montreux Album (1978) only confirmed their chart success.

By 1979, after the release of the album The Other Side Of The Road (recorded in Australia) Smokie's popularity was starting to decline. It wasn’t until 1995 that Smokie had a surprise return to the UK charts, with a re-release of their biggest hit 'Living Next Door To Alice' – a duet with comedian Roy Chubby Brown. That came about from the controversial hit 'Alice? Who the @&! is Alice?!' recorded by DJ Gompie. Smokie decided to cover the Gompie-version of their own song with Brown.

Tragically, not long after the song was recorded Smokie’s tour bus was in a road accident and band member Alan Barton was badly injured and later died from his injuries.

The band is remembered for their soft-rock harmonies and hook-laden songs, and that rare ability to pitch a raspy voice against melodic harmonies.