Overview of Robert (Robbie) McIntosh

Rock musician. Born in Dundee, McIntosh began his musical career with the Rhythm and Blues group The Senate in the late-1960s, with Alex Ligertwood (b.1946). Both joined Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, with hits including Oblivion Express (1971), Better Land (1971) and Second Wind (1972). He went on to play drums as a member of the soul-influenced Average White Band, which formed in 1972, comprising McIntosh and five other musicians; namely Roger Ball (b.1944), Malcolm "Mollie" Duncan (b.1945), Alan Gorrie (b.1946), Owen "Onnie" McIntyre (b.1945) and Canadian Mike Rosen, soon to be replaced by Hamish Stuart (b.1949). Their debut album Show your Hand (1973) attracted little attention. However, the band quickly moved to the USA where they entered the charts in 1974 with AWB, their so-called White Album. This was widely regarded as a masterpiece and included the No.1 single Pick up the Pieces which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1975.

McIntosh died as the result of a heroin overdose at a Hollywood party in September 1974. He was replaced by Englishman Steve Ferrone and the band dedicated their next album, Cut the Cake released in 1975, to McIntosh.