Terry Uttley

Just last weekend I saw on Facebook on my I pad that Smokie member and last original founding member of the legendary British group Terry Uttley passed away which was a shock to hear about it considering he lost his wife recently and he was stil playing in the band as the other original members Pete Spencer, Chris Norman and Alan Silson are still around but have not played in Smokie for many years. The band was formed in 1964 as the Yens and the Sphynx and Essence with Terry, Alan and Chris but Terry left in 1966 but returned in 1968 which the band was then called the Elizabethans and remained in the band for the rest of his life. they recorded as Kindness for RCA which they released an single Light of Love/Lindy Lou in 1970 but nothing happened and then recorded for Decca which they released 3 singles but nothing happened chart wide and in 1973 Pete Spencer joined the band replacing Ron Kelly which would become the classic line up that would last until 1986 and also changed the band's name to Smokey eventually Smokie as well as connected with Australian Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn(British) who were the songwriting team who wrote hits at the time for Suzi Quatro, Mud and Sweet. they had their first hit in 1975 with If You Think You Know How To Love which went to number 3 in the UK which the start of the string of hits that they would have until 1978 which would include Don't Play Your Rock and Roll To Me, Living Next Door To Alice which was a cover of the New World(Australian group from Brisbane) hit, Lay Back In The Arms of Someone, Oh Carol, Needles and Pins and did a version of Take Good Care Of My Baby in 1980 which went to number 34 in the UK and number 48 in Australia. in the 1980's their hit making days had finished and for a couple of years they parted company but came back together in 1986 which then Chris Norman and Pete Spencer left which they were replaced by Alan Barton of Black Lace and Steve Pinnell. Smokie continued to record but more hits in other European countries and then in 1994 made an surprise return to the British charts in an duet with controversial comedian Roy Chubby Brown with an re-release of Living Next Door To Alice which went to number 3 in the UK and had who the F*&% is Alice. But sadly in 1995 Alan Barton was tragically killed in accident while they were in Germany which his spot was taken by Mike Craft and the following year Alan Silson left which his place was taken by Mick McConnell which the line up would last for 25 years until Mike Craft left in 2021 and his spot taken by Pete Lincoln who was played with Sweet which they had just started playing live again after 18 months off due to Covid. I got to see Smokie 3 times here in Brisbane which the first was at Kedron Wavell Friday October 27th 2006 which it was an FANTASTIC show and did the classic hits from the 70's as well as others as they did the one set and they came out after the show to sign autographs which I got their autographs as well as getting photos with them. The second show I attended was at Kedron Wavell Friday February 20th 2009 which there was an support act named Brian Abery and then Smokie came on which they did an FANTASTIC set and got autographs and photos with the members of the band. The 3rd and final time was at QPAC Wednesday November 2nd 2016 which legendary Australian singer Peter Cupples was on the bill and then Smokie came on whichthey did an FANTASTIC doing the classic songs which after the show they came out to sign autographs which I got autographs and an photo with the guys. I am so glad that I got to see them live and it is sad that Terry has passed away but the great music he made with Smokie will never die as it's timeless music with great melodies and lyrics which they still sound great today as it did back then. Thank You for the legacy