Onnie McIntyre
Onnie McIntyre | |
|---|---|
 McIntyre in 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Onnie Mair |
| Born | 25 September 1945 |
| Genres | Funk, R&B, rock |
| Instruments | Guitar, bass, vocals |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Formerly of | Forever More, Average White Band |
Owen "Onnie" McIntyre (born 25 September 1945), known earlier in his career as Onnie Mair, is a Scottish musician, best known for being a member of Average White Band. Along with bassist Alan Gorrie he was a constant member of the band from 1972 until the band's retirement in 2024.
Early life
McIntyre was born in Lennoxtown.[1][2] His family moved to Auchinairn, where he attended Auchinairn Primary school.[1]
Career
In 1964, McIntyre was a member of the band the In Crowd as lead guitarist. Later in 1966, McIntyre left the band and was replaced by Hugh Nicholson, who joined as the permanent lead guitarist; the group eventually changed its name to The Berries and later to The Scots of St. James. In 1967, McIntyre joined a band The Scots of St. James, whom he later changed name Hopscotch in 1968. In 1969, McIntyre had been a changed name the progressive rock band Forever More, under the name Onnie Mair, with bassist Alan Gorrie, with whom he later formed Average White Band .[3][4][5] McIntyre has been a session guitarist/composer for albums released by Paul Korda, Roy Young, Dick Morrissey, Ben E. King, Kate Taylor, Chaka Khan, Carly Simon, Passport, Jesse Rae, The Phil Collins Big Band, Tommi Mischell, Tony Monaco, Charles Earland, Jeff Golub, Freddy V., and Arif Mardin.[6]
McIntyre formed Average White Band in late 1971.[2] The band are best known for their 1974 instrumental "Pick Up the Pieces", written by the entire band. In 1972, McIntyre played guitar on Chuck Berry's "My Ding-a-Ling" along with Average White Band drummer Robbie McIntosh.[7]
The original Average White Band split up in 1982, and McIntyre worked from home to help with wife and young son, writing jingles for adverts and work as a session musician, as well as working in a fine arts company in New York.[8] In 1989, McIntyre, bassist Alan Gorrie, and saxophonist Roger Ball reformed the band.[8]
McIntyre and Gorrie owned the "Average White Band", and continued to be in the group until 2024, when the band retired following a farewell tour.[8][9]
References
- 1 2 "Trails + Tales Objects Timeline". www.trailsandtales.org. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- 1 2 "Owen (Onnie) McIntyre from The Gazetteer for Scotland". www.scottish-places.info. Retrieved 2026-06-13.
- ↑ "Onnie Mair". Discogs. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ Davidson, Merric (2014-03-27). "Forever More". Toppermost. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ Marios (2014-01-26). "Rockasteria: Forever More - Yours / Words On Black Plastic (1970 uk, superb prog rock with folk shades, 2007 RDI remaster)". Rockasteria. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ "Onnie McIntyre, Songs, Albums, Discography & Reviews". AllMusic. Retrieved 2026-06-14.
- ↑ The Great Rock Discography - Martin C. Strong, pages 36–37 / retrieved 13 June 2026
- 1 2 3 "Gary James' Interview With Onnie McIntyre Of The Average White Band". www.classicbands.com. Retrieved 2026-06-13.
- ↑ chris@soultracks.com (2024-10-01). "Average White Band says "Farewell" after a half century". SoulTracks. Retrieved 2026-06-13.