A SMOKIE tribute band will pay respects to the late Terry Uttley at its next concert.

Wild Wild Angels was founded by frontman and guitarist Keith Oliver, who had the same manager as Smokie when the Bradford band was starting out in the 1960s.

"Back then they were The Elizabethans, and later Kindness. The band consisted of Chris Norman, Alan Silson, Terry Uttley and my best friend, Ron Kelly, who now lives in Germany," said Keith. "Bands from that time were really glad when Smokie hit it big time and put Bradford on the map.

"We as a Smokie tribute band are proud to represent them, reminding Bradford of the hits of this great band and the late Terry."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Wild Wild Angels are paying tribute to Smokie Wild Wild Angels are paying tribute to Smokie

Terry died last December, aged 70, after a short illness. His funeral took place in January, and fans and friends lined The Grove in Ilkley, where he lived, to pay their respects as the cortege passed by.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Crowds line The Grove as Terry's funeral cortege passed by Crowds line The Grove as Terry's funeral cortege passed by

Terry's daughter Holly told the T&A the family had received tributes and messages from fans around the world. "We have been totally overwhelmed by all the tributes. People have been saying how kind and lovely he was," said Holly.

Smokie was founded in 1964 by Alan Silson and Chris Norman, who were at St Bede's School in Heaton with Terry.

Terry, from Allerton, joined as bass guitarist and the band played local pubs and clubs under several names before signing a record deal and becoming Smokie. They had chart success in the 1970s, with hits including If You Think You Know How To Love Me, Don't Play Your Rock And Roll To Me and Oh Carol.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Smokie sold more than 30 million records worldwide Smokie sold more than 30 million records worldwide

Smokie split in 1981 then reunited in 1986 for a fundraising concert for families of those who died in the Bradford City fire. Singer Chris Norman left and was replaced by Alan Barton, who died in 1995 when Smokie's tour bus crashed in Germany. The band later continued with frontman Mike Craft.

Smokie sold over 30 million records worldwide and toured Europe, the Far East, Australia and New Zealand. They were made honorary citizens of Seoul as the first Western band to sell a million singles in South Korea.

Smokie held an annual gala dinner dance at Ilkley's Craiglands Hotel, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years for the Annette Fox Fund Haematology Unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Wild Wild Angels is comprised of Lord Keith Oliver on lead vocals and guitar; Dr Roger Lucas on lead guitar and vocals; bassist Eddie Davis; drummer Tony Jackson and Neil Shipin on keyboard.

Said Keith: "Roger from Brighouse is a world class professional guitarist. Tony's a fantastic drummer - in the 1960s he was the drum teacher at Coda Music on Church Bank. Edd grew up listening to Smokie on the radio, he served as a police constable for 20 years while learning his skill on the bass guitar. And Neil comes from a musical family; both his parents were 'musos'."

* Wild Wild Angels are at Idle and Thackley Conservative Club's Top 20 Club night on Saturday, April 16. For tickets call (01274) 612073.