Look at the Guinness Book Of Hit Singlesand you could be forgiven forthinking Smokie’s success story was a 1970s phenomenon. After all, 11 oftheir 14 British hits came in that eventful musical decade. However, their massive success story has continued to flourish around the globe including Scandinavia, South Africa, Germany and even China. Smokie are a band which has sold out tours and gained platinum records in four decades – 70s, 80s, 90s and the present day. A quick recap then on past glories. Smokie first got together at school in Yorkshire in the late 60s. After going through various names and styles, they signed with Mickie Most’s then ultra-hot RAK label and found themselves chart bound. Songs like ‘If You Think You Know How ToLove Me’, ‘Don’tPlay Your Rock’n’Roll To Me’, ‘It’s Your Life’ and ‘Oh Carol’(all Top 10 entries) became radio hits.

The sound was a combination of hook-laden songs and Smokie’s distinctive but unashamedly Stateside-influenced soft-rock harmonies, their secret being their vocal blend–a rasping, emotion-drenched lead set against melodicharmonies that produces an unique, bittersweet result.