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Smokie is an English glam rock band from Bradford who found success in Europe in the 1970s. Originally called Essence, the band was formed in 1965 at St. Bede's Grammar School in Heaton, Bradford. It comprised of Chris Norman (vocals/guitar/piano) born Christopher Ward Norman, 25 October 1950, Redcar, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire), Terry Uttley (born Terence Uttley, 9 June 1951, Birkenshaw, Yorkshire) (bass/vocals), Alan Silson (lead guitar/vocals) (born 21 June 1951, Bradford, Yorkshire) and Ron Kelly (drums) (born Ronald Kelly, 1952). As Essence, they toured small clubs in Bradford and the surrounding communities. At the time the band was formed Kelly was four years younger than the others aged only 13. In May 1968, the group found a manager in Mark Jordan, who advised them to rename themselves The Elizabethans. The group now became fully professional, and the members garnered higher salaries. In the autumn of 1968, Kelly left the group to continue studying, which caused the group to perform with various different drummers almost every gig. December saw the group having a first TV appearance on the regional show "Calendar". In August 1969, the four performed two songs for the BBC show "High Jinx". Enthused with this successful performance Jordan had them record a first demo tape. In early 1970 RCA showed an interest in the band and suggested a name change to Kindness. A single was recorded, but due to a strike, the double A-side, "Light Of Love" / "Lindy Lou", was not released for a few months. 300 copies of that were sold and it was followed by a second single "Oh Julie" / "I Love You Carolina".