Avalon (Scottish band)

Avalon previously known as The Medium Wave Band, was a Scottish folk rock band that started in the 1970s under the original name. It reformed in the mid-1980s and throughout the 1990s under the name Avalon, releasing a number of successful albums. Band leader Erne Parkin died in July 2009.

The Medium Wave Band

The band was founded as The Medium Wave Band. The original line-up Erne Parkin (singer), Mick Calder (bass), Mike Simons (lead guitar), Steve O'Donnell (keys / mandolin), Les Cockburn (fiddle / mandolin), Gordon Feaney (drums) and Andy Girdwood who replaced Mick Calder on bass. Subsequently, Steve Moss (guitar) replaced Mike Simons and Richard Chernes (of Runrig fame, keyboards) replaced Steve O'Donnell.

The band had much success, playing gigs all over Scotland, but later on came under pressure to go professional, ultimately leading to a split of the band.

Group Avalon

The band reformed in the early 1980s, with members Parkin, Cockburn and Moss and new members Billy Milne (drums) and Steve McMahon (bass guitar). Roy Martin replaced Steve on bass in 1984. Their first single, "Ballrooms of Romance" was released in 1984 when the band changed its name to Avalon. The band had a number of successive albums, including Rocky Roads (1986), Heavy Hearts (1987) and Higher Ground (1992) and SEcond Sight (1998).

Discography

(all albums under the name Avalon)

1986 - Rocky Roads

Released on the Lismor label, code LIFL 7013

1. Overture
2. Jack in Irons
3. A Travellers Tale
4. Greenpeace
5. Bruntsfield Link
6. Leith Link
7. Open Roads
8. Ballrooms of Romance
9. Blue Highways
10. Road to Dingwall
11. Another Encore

1987 - Heavy Hearts

Released on the Lismor label, code LIFL 7015

1. Litany
2. Anton the Fox
3. Heavy Hearts
4. On the Field of Broken Dreams
5. Candy Row
6. Sea Link
7. The Knerbs of Bettur Medley
8. So Still the Scene
9. Silver and Steel
10. Just Between Friends
11. Sandgate Lass

1992 - Higher Ground

Released on the Iona Records label, code IRC 017

1. The Lion of the North
2. Sons of the Sea
3. The Last Gasp Medley
4. Into the Mists
5. A Soldiers Dream
6. The Barloch Reels
7. Palais de Dance
8. Stretch the Bow
9. The Wild Cherry Tree
10. Ellis Isle

1998 - Second Sight

Released on MWRecords, code MWBCD2001

1. The Alchemist
2. Shipwreck
3. Salmon Run
4. Stepping Stones
5. Tom Rakewell (Martin/Borland)
6. Missing You (Borland)
7. Songs of Stone
8. Skylark and the Rose
9. The Astor Set (Borland/O'Rourke)
10. Gypsy