Smokie in Duisburg

Smokie are an English pop-rock band formed in Bradford in 1964. Their best-known 1970s recordings include “Living Next Door to Alice,” “If You Think You Know How to Love Me,” “Lay Back in the Arms of Someone” and “Mexican Girl,” while albums such as Changing All the Time established their melodic soft-rock sound. A 1986 benefit concert at Valley Parade brought former members Terry Uttley, Alan Silson and Pete Spencer together with singer Alan Barton, and the response led to renewed touring. After Barton’s death in 1995, Smokie returned to the road with Mike Craft as lead singer and maintained an extensive concert schedule outside Britain. Germany has long been a major market for the band, while Denmark and Norway also host frequent Smokie concerts.