Alan Gorrie

Alan Gorrie didn't just play bass; he was the foundational pulse of one of the most unlikely success stories in music. Hailing from Perth, Scotland, Gorrie and his mates formed the Average White Band in the early 1970s, a group of white Scotsmen with a deep, unwavering devotion to American soul and funk. Gorrie, alongside guitarist Onnie McIntyre, was the constant through the band's tumultuous journey. He provided not just the nimble, locking bass lines on hits like 'Pick Up the Pieces,' but also shared lead vocal duties, his raspy, soulful voice becoming a trademark. The band's commitment to the groove was absolute, earning them the respect of Black American audiences and musicians—a rare feat at the time—and a place on the charts dominated by the very genres they revered. Gorrie weathered the tragic death of original drummer Robbie McIntosh and the shifting tides of musical fashion, steering the AWB through decades of touring and recording. His presence on stage, fingers flying over the fretboard, was a testament to the idea that funk isn't a color, but a feeling, and he felt it deeply.