Born in Barnsley, Yorkshire,[1] Barton replaced Chris Norman in Smokie in 1986, recording six albums with them, and touring extensively as their lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist.[1] He was the lead singer on Smokie's revival of their hit, "Living Next Door to Alice", recorded with comedian Roy 'Chubby' Brown, as "Living Next Door to Alice (Who the F**k Is Alice)".[1] In the early 1990s, he released his only solo album, Precious (1991) and two accompanying singles: "July 69" (1990) and "Carry Your Heart" (with Kristine Pettersen) (1991).[4]
Barton died in March 1995, at the age of 41, from injuries incurred when Smokie's tour bus crashed during a hailstorm in Cologne, Germany.[1][5]
He is buried at Liversedge cemetery, West Yorkshire.
