Andrew Smith

Andrew Louis Smith (August 15, 1950 – April 27, 2000) was an American drummer, producer, and arranger. He was a member of The Funk Brothers, Motown Records' house band, during the label's Detroit-to-Los Angeles transition period (1968–1972). Smith's session career included playing on Gladys Knight & the Pips' Grammy-winning "Midnight Train to Georgia" and The Spinners' "The Rubberband Man" (1974).

Post-Motown career

Following Motown's relocation, Smith moved to the East Coast, where he became a session musician in New York and Philadelphia. In 1973, he played drums on Gladys Knight & the Pips' "Midnight Train to Georgia," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. In 1980, a collection of his film scores was released on Major Records.

Death and legacy

Smith died on April 27, 2000, in East Brunswick, New Jersey.

Selected discography

Lyman Woodard Trio / Dennis Coffey Trio – Hair And Thangs (1969, Maverick Records) Scorpion – Scorpion (1969, Tower Records) Ruth Copeland – Self Portrait (Invictus/Hot Wax) Gladys Knight & the Pips – "Midnight Train to Georgia" (1973, Buddah Records) The Spinners – "The Rubberband Man" (1974) Andrew Smith – Film scores collection (1980, Major Records)