Manfred Mann biography

 

The fourth incarnation of Manfred Mann (the second being only a change of singer) has been the longest, surviving for almost 30 years. The original Earth Band was formed after Mann's bold attempt at jazz/rock with Manfred Mann Chapter Three had proved financially disastrous. The new band, comprising Mann (b. Manfred Lubowitz, 21 October 1940, Johannesburg, South Africa; keyboards), Mick Rogers (vocals/guitar), Colin Pattenden (bass) and Chris Slade (drums), debuted in 1971 with the Bob Dylan song "Please Mrs Henry". Following its poor showing they quickly released a cover version of Randy Newman's "Living Without You', again to apathy. While Mann gradually won back some of the fans who had deserted him during the Chapter Three project, it was not until the Earth Band's third offering, Messin", that both success and acclaim arrived. The title track was a long, rambling but exciting piece, reminiscent of Chapter Three, but the band hit the mark with a superb interpretation of Holst's "Jupiter", entitled "Joybringer". It became a substantial UK Top 10 hit in 1973. From then on the band forged ahead with gradual rather than spectacular progress and built a loyal following in Europe and America. Their music still contained strong jazz influences, but the sound was wholeheartedly accessible and rock based.

Solar Fire featured yet another Dylan song, "Father Of Day, Father Of Night", complete with heavenly choir. Rogers departed in 1976 and was replaced by Chris Thompson, while new guitarist Dave Flett was brought in to augment the band's sound. Just as Bruce Springsteen fever started, the band had a transatlantic hit with a highly original reading of his "Blinded By The Light" with vocals from Thompson. The record, with its lengthy, spacey instrumental introduction, reached the top spot in the US chart and worldwide sales exceeded two million. The Roaring Silence became the band's biggest selling album, and featured the most assured line-up to date. Other hits followed, including the Robbie Robertson/John Simon composition "Davy's On The Road Again" (UK number 6) in 1978 and Dylan's "You Angel You" and "Don't Kill It Carol" in 1979, while Thompson enjoyed two US Top 20 hits of his own with the sextet Night. Further personnel changes saw the arrival of bass player Pat King, ex-Wings drummer Geoff Britton, and guitarist Steve Waller (b. 30 June 1951, London, England, d. 6 February 2000; ex-Gonzalez). Chance featured new drummer John Lingwood, while Matt Irving (guitar/bass) joined in time for Mann's homage to his former homeland, Somewhere In Afrika. After a lengthy absence, the band made the US chart in 1984 with "Runner', featuring the vocals of the returning Mick Rogers. Live In Budapest, Criminal Tango, and Masque: Songs And Planets were relative commercial failures, however, and Mann put the band on hold in the late 80s and early 90s to work on his solo collection, Plains Music. Noel McCalla took over lead vocals when the Earth Band began touring again. After a nine year recording hiatus the band returned with 1996"s Soft Vengeance, featuring Thompson and McCalla on lead vocals and ex-Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker. A live album comprising selected highlights from their extensive European tour was released two years later, and featured Mann, Thompson, McCalla, Steve Kinch (bass), and John Trotter (drums). The band remain highly popular in Germany, however, and retain the respect of the critics, having never produced a poor album during their long career.