Music Chris Norman angry about Smokie without original members
British musician Chris Norman ("Stumblin' In") doesn't like the fact that his former band Smokie is now active without any original members. "I don't support it in any way," the 75-year-old told the German news agency DPA.
22.11.2025, 07:02
SDA
"Unfortunately, it often happens these days: bands tour under a well-known name, even though not a single member of the original line-up is still with them," Norman told DPA in London.
He celebrated numerous successes as the frontman of Smokie with hits such as "Lay Back In The Arms Of Someone", "Don't Play Your Rock'n'Roll To Me" and "Living Next Door To Alice" before leaving the band on good terms in 1986. Since then, he has been a successful solo artist. Next year, the singer and songwriter will release his new album "Lifelines" and go on tour. No concert is planned in Switzerland.
Following the departure of Pete Spencer and Alan Silson, with whom Norman is still friends today, bassist Terry Uttley was the last remaining original member of Smokie. Since Uttley's death in December 2021, none of the original line-up has remained. "I have no contact with the band that is now called Smokie," Norman clarified.
"I don't understand how you can look at that"
The new Smokie musicians are currently on a world tour to celebrate the band's 50th anniversary - which is absurd for the former Smokie frontman. Most of them were either not even born 50 years ago or were still at school, the 75-year-old complained. "I don't understand how you can watch that as a spectator. I would never go to a band like that."
However, he has nothing against tribute or cover bands. He is even friends with the musicians from the tribute band Spirit Of Smokie. "Because they don't pretend to be Smokie. They just go on stage, play Smokie songs and earn a living doing it," said Norman. "But the other troupe? They call themselves Smokie, use the logo and everything. That's just wrong."
Other examples of prominent music groups that are active today without any members from the original line-up include Foreigner ("I Want To Know What Love Is") and Lynyrd Skynyrd ("Sweet Home Alabama").
