Alan Gorrie

Alan Gorrie – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life and career of Scottish musician Alan Gorrie — founding member of the Average White Band, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, and songwriter — along with his philosophy, legacy, and famous quotes.

Introduction

Alan Edward Gorrie (born 19 July 1946) is a distinguished Scottish musician whose talents span bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals, composition, and songwriting. He rose to fame as one of the founding members of the funk / R&B group Average White Band (AWB) and remained one of its original pillars through decades of change.

Over time, Gorrie has become not just a performer but a subtle voice of creative integrity. His life maps a journey from the small Scottish town of Perth to the international stages of funk and soul. His story is one of perseverance, musical curiosity, and an abiding belief in the power of groove and melody.

Today, Alan Gorrie’s influence still resonates: as a reminder that authenticity in music—rooted in heartfelt effort rather than trends—can endure across generations.

Early Life and Family

Alan Gorrie was born in Perth, Scotland, on 19 July 1946.

Local identity remained important to him. Even after relocating to the United States, he retained a pride in his Scottish roots and often referred to Perth’s character and his upbringing in public conversations.

His family’s background and the modest Scottish milieu provided a foundation of groundedness, which Gorrie often credits with helping him persist through the challenges of an itinerant musical life.

Youth and Education

While detailed accounts of his formal schooling are less documented, we know that Gorrie was musically active from an early age. He participated in local band circuits in Tayside (Perthshire / surrounding area) and was part of the growing Scottish R&B/beat scene of the 1960s.

Before forming AWB, Gorrie played in Forever More, a Scottish progressive rock / blues-influenced group, alongside future AWB co-members such as Onnie McIntyre and Molly Duncan. Words on Black Plastic even included compositions by Gorrie (with Mick Travis) and showcased his multi-instrumental skills (bass, vocals, piano) in a more experimental context.

This formative period allowed Gorrie to hone writing and arranging skills, experiment with genres, and develop a musical identity that blended jazz, blues, soul, and Scottish sensibilities.

Career and Achievements

Founding of Average White Band

In 1972, Alan Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre established Average White Band in London, combining diverse musical influences — funk, soul, R&B, and jazz — with disciplined musicianship.

Gorrie assumed multiple roles in AWB: bassist, vocalist, occasional guitarist and keyboardist. Over time, he became one of the creative anchors of the group.

Breakthrough Success

The band’s big breakthrough came in 1974 when the instrumental track “Pick Up the Pieces” became a major hit in both the UK and the U.S., propelling AWB into real international prominence. Cut the Cake, Soul Searching, Feel No Fret, Person to Person, and Cupid’s in Fashion.

Challenges, Hiatus, and Reunion

Tragically, drummer Robbie McIntosh (not to be confused with the Scottish guitarist) passed away at age 24, just before the group’s big breakthrough.

However, in 1989, Gorrie rejoined forces with Roger Ball and McIntyre to revive AWB. The band continued producing albums, performing live, and evolving their sound.

Solo Work and Other Contributions

In addition to his work with AWB, Gorrie issued a solo album Sleepless Nights in 1985.

Through the years, AWB (with Gorrie still onboard) remained an act to respect — known for clean, danceable funk, tight execution, and a reputation for being among the more musically credible crossover soul/funk bands of their era.

Historical Milestones & Context

• 1974: “Pick Up the Pieces” climbs the charts, becoming one of the defining funk instrumentals of the era.

• Mid-1970s: AWB cements its place in the U.S. and U.K. markets with multiple charting albums and singles.

• 1983: Original dissolution of AWB.

• 1989: Reunion of core members, renewed recordings, and continued performances.

• Later decades: AWB’s back catalog becomes sampled by hip-hop and electronic artists, renewing exposure to younger audiences.

• Recognition: AWB is featured in museum exhibitions about Scottish pop music, underlining the band’s cultural importance in Scotland’s musical narrative.

Gorrie’s career thus bridges a time when British and Scottish acts were absorbing American black music, reinterpreting it, and exporting it back globally. His story plays into a larger cultural exchange across the Atlantic in the 1970s and beyond.

Legacy and Influence

Alan Gorrie’s legacy is multifaceted:

• Musical Integrity: He upheld high standards of musicianship in a genre (funk/soul) where image or surface appeal sometimes overshadowed craft.

• Longevity: Remaining active and relevant over decades, he illustrated how consistency and dedication can surpass fleeting trends.

• Cross-Genre Appeal: As a white Scottish band in a predominantly African American–rooted genre, AWB broke down barriers and demonstrated that groove and soul can transcend background.

• Sampling & Reappraisal: Later generations discovered AWB through sampling in hip-hop, embedding Gorrie’s grooves into fresh musical contexts.

• Scottish Cultural Icon: Within Scotland, Gorrie is celebrated not just as a global musician, but a local figure who carried his origins with him.

Today, aspiring bassists, songwriters, and funk enthusiasts still cite AWB (and thus Gorrie’s role) as an exemplar of smooth, tight, elevated groove music.

Personality and Talents

From interviews and profiles, several traits emerge:

• Grounded Humility: Despite global success, Gorrie often expressed modest respect for his hometown and roots.

• Quiet Determination: He speaks about being prepared, persistent, and believing in the craft as essentials to success.

• Musical Versatility: He handled multiple instruments, vocals, and songwriting — showing adaptability in roles as band dynamics shifted.

• Reflective Wit: His quotes reveal a sense of dry humor, irony, and a reflective worldview (as shown in some of his more playful, self-aware lines).

Gorrie has also mentioned interests outside music—football, the desire to learn piano, and balancing his musical life with personal pursuits.

Famous Quotes of Alan Gorrie

Here are a few notable quotations from Alan Gorrie, revealing some of his character and wit:

“Look, I was only given a year or two to come up with tunes for this record, and when all but eight of them were thrown out for riotous behaviour, I got a bit ticked off; wouldn’t you?”

“If truth is the first victim of war, then read on — I’ve got some great lies for you this month.”

“Football management is such a pressurised thing — horseracing is a release. I'm also learning to play the piano — I'm quite determined — it's another release from the pressure of my job.”

These lines show a creative’s mind at work: balancing frustration, irony, reflection, and the need for artistic outlets.

Lessons from Alan Gorrie

From his life and career, we can draw several inspiring lessons:

1. Craft Over Trend
   Gorrie stayed true to solid musicianship and groove rather than chasing fads. In doing so, his music aged well.

2. Versatility Is Power
   His ability to play multiple instruments and contribute as a songwriter gave him resilience when band dynamics evolved.

3. Rooted Identity Matters
   He carried his Scottish identity with him, not as a gimmick, but as a grounding anchor amid global success.

4. Persistence Through Change
   Faced with splits, personnel changes, or shifts in popular taste, Gorrie (via AWB) adapted rather than abandoned.

5. Humor & Irony Help Maintain Perspective
   Even serious artists need lightness. His quotes show he kept a sense of perspective through ups and downs.

Conclusion

Alan Gorrie’s journey—from a kid in Perth listening to his father’s jazz piano, to the front lines of international funk and soul—is a testament to the power of musical sincerity, adaptability, and belief over time. He didn’t just ride waves of popularity: he helped craft them, with heart, groove, and a steady hand.

Though not always a household name, his imprint on funk, on Scottish musical pride, and on the artists who followed is durable. For those who discover his work now—be it through AWB’s golden era or via sampled echoes in modern music—the message remains inspiring: play with authenticity, respect the groove, and let your roots keep you grounded.

If you’d like, I can also compile a more extended list of Alan Gorrie’s recordings, influences, and critical reception. Do you want me to do that?