* In November 1966 Alan meets Ron Kelly who plays in a band called ‘The Black Cats’, Alan joins his band as lead guitarist, followed by Chris Norman as lead singer in January 1967.

* Together with bass player Arthur Higgins they play at school dances, clubs and pubs.

* On 1 June 1968 Terry Uttley replaces Arthur on bass and the band turns professional as “The Elizabethans”.

* This line-up plays together for 6 years, they change their name to “Kindness”, play in clubs all over Great Britain, release 3 singles with Decca and RCA, play on Radio 1 shows.

* They have a big following as their 3-part harmonies in songs of Crosby, Stills & Nash, Marmalade, The Hollies etc. are outstanding and unique.

* In 1973 Ron Kelly decides to move on, he leaves the band. Pete Spencer replaces him and the band which is to become “Smokie” is complete.

* In 1974 the band Mud introduces “Kindness” to the successful songwriter team Nicky Chinn & Mike Chapman – Chinnichap like what they hear and see and sign them up, followed by a record deal with Micky Most’s RAK Records. The band’s name is changed to “Smokey”, later “Smokie”.

* In the summer of 1975 they have their first hit record with “If you think you know how to love me”. The Smokie hit machine starts to roll from then on.

* Many hits like “I’ll meet you at midnight”, “Living next door to Alice”, “Lay back in the arms of someone”, “For a few dollars more”, “Oh Carol” etc. follow in the next years, they also sell millions of their albums like “Bright Lights & Back Alleys”, “The Montreux Album”.

* In 1977 and 1978 Smokie are the best selling band in Germany. About 50 gold and platinum discs are proof of their world wide success.

* During the peak of their continuing success Alan works with other artists like Donovan and Heavy Metal Kids, singing back vocals together with Chris and Terry.

* By the late 70s and early 80s Alan and the band are enjoying huge success, they perform live all over the world and sell out big arenas.

* In 1982 the band decides to stop touring and focus more on song writing and producing. Alan starts writing together with Chris Wade, numerous tracks are later recorded by Smokie.

* In 1983 Alan, Chris and Terry sing back vocals on Agnetha Fältskog’s (Abba) solo album. Mike Chapman, the producer, remembers their unique harmony sound.

* In June 1985 Smokie get back together to play a charity show in their home town Bradford. This one off concert results in touring Germany and Australia in 1985 and 1986.

* In September 1986 the last tour with Chris as lead singer, Alan Barton is introduced as the new singer of Smokie.

* This new line-up, with Alan and Terry as the 2 remaining original members of Smokie, performs numerous concerts in Scandinavia, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, UK and becomes a top selling act due to the 70s revival.

* From 1988 - 1995 Smokie record numerous albums which reach chart positions in Scandinavia and Germany. The album “Boulevard of broken dreams” of which Alan writes the title track is number one in the Scandinavian charts for 7 weeks.

* In March 1995 Alan Barton loses his life in a terrible car accident in Germany but the band decides to carry on working with a new singer.

* The newly formed band records their successful album “The world and elsewhere” to which Alan contributes 3 tracks.

* In 1996 Alan decides he needs a proper break which finally results in leaving the band for good in 1997.

* In 1998 /99 Alan performs live as a special guest alongside Suzi Quatro on various occasions.

* 2000 – 2004 Alan joins Mickey Finn’s T-Rex as a lead guitarist and vocalist. They record their album “Renaissance” in Alan’s own studio which he also produces, plays numerous concerts throughout Europe.

* In 2003 / 4 Alan and Pete Spencer decide to collaborate on an album – it turns out that their musical ideas and thoughts work together really well. * In 2006 Alan starts his own band, they play in the Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Scandinavia and Poland and hopefully some more countries to follow.

* Mid 2007 Alan releases his solo album “Solitary Bird” - a fabulous mixture of pop rock, country rock and ballads. Alan’s voice and his unique guitar sound show his Smokie roots, i. e. great harmonies and melodic, stylish guitar solos, as described, it ‘sounds like Smokie in a new coat’.