On this date in 1974, Scottish funk and R&B outfit AVERAGE WHITE BAND released their classic single PICK UP THE PIECES (Nov 19, 1974) This high-spirited instrumental (the only lyrics being the occasional chanting of the song's title) was the band'ssignature tune, catapulting AWB to stardom almost overnight. "Pick Up the Pieces" was released in the UK in July 1974 but failed to chart. When the album was released in the United States in October 1974, radio stations there started to play the song,