British Live Performance Series Continues with Average White Band, Today

The BRITISH LIVE PERFORMANCE SERIES from Rainman Records has announced that the latest installment of the live album series will feature renowned soul/funk/R&B collective AVERAGE WHITE BAND. Due out July 29, the concert event recorded at Nottingham's Theater Royal in 1980 features a wide range of the band's catalog, including "Let's Go Round Again," "Queen of My Soul," and "Cloudy," among others (full track list below). Average White Band joins other previous releases as part of the BRITISH LIVE PERFORMANCE SERIES, which include Glen Campbell, Joe Jackson, Belinda Carlisle, Asia and more (see below).

Average White Band is widely regarded as one of the best soul and funk bands in the history of music. Though perhaps best known for their timeless instrumental mega-hit "Pick Up the Pieces," the band's strength actually lays in their consistently accomplished songwriting, resulting in several gold-selling albums and multiple Grammy nominations. Somewhat incongruously, given their Scottish roots, the seven-piece took the influences of their R&B heroes - Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Donny Hathaway and others - and developed their own authentic sound which was eagerly adopted by audiences in the U.S. and elsewhere.

As is evident in AVERAGE WHITE BAND: BRITISH LIVE PERFORMANCE SERIES, the band--founding members Alan Gorrie (lead vocals, bass, guitar, keyboard) and Onnie McIntyre (guitar, vocals), Cliff Lyons (alto sax, keyboard, vocals), Rob Aries (keyboard, bass), Brent Carter (lead vocals), Rocky Bryant (drums) and Fred "Freddy V" Vigdor (tenor sax, keyboards, vocals)--continues to delight audiences and critics alike with their musical energy and trademark sound.

This hour-long TV showcase from the Rockstage series, filmed and recorded by Central Television at Nottingham's Theatre Royal in 1980, catches the classic AWB line-up in their prime. It includes that year's UK Number 12 dance smash "Let's Go Round Again," transatlantic hit "Queen Of My Soul" and much more.

When the Average White Band split in 1982, they could boast ten albums, three Grammy nominations and a large multi-racial following as their legacy. Unsurprisingly, their members immediately became in-demand sessioneers. Hamish Stuart, became Paul McCartney's right-hand man. Steve Ferrone linked with Duran Duran, and, in perhaps the most unexpected 'solo venture', worked with the likes of Eric Clapton and for the past two decades has backed Tom Petty.

A partial reunion in the late Eighties with Alan Gorrie, Roger Ball and Onnie McIntyre from the legendary line-up alongside American musicians proved the market for Average White music still existed. The current outfit, sans Ball, plays to sell-out audiences in the States, sharing bills with the likes of Hall & Oates and Michael McDonald.

AWB songs have been featured in movies such as Bowfinger, Superman 2 and Starsky & Hutch, while they have become one of the most sampled bands ever thanks to artists as well-known as Janet Jackson, Bobby Brown, TLC and P Diddy borrowing riffs from their repertoire.

9/18/15	Glen Campbell
9/18/15	Rick Wakeman
10/30/15	Belinda Carlisle
10/30/15	Joe Jackson
10/30/15	Uriah Heep
4/1/16	The Buzzcocks
4/1/16	Ten Years After
6/24/16	Asia
7/29/16	Average White Band