Manfred Mann are one of those 60s bands whose second life has lasted much longer than their first. Formed in 1962, they failed to see out the decade – yet a reunion on guitarist Tom McGuinness’s 50th birthday in 1992 saw them reborn as a popular heritage act. They’re unique in featuring both of their lead singers, Paul Jones (1962-66) and Mike d’Abo (1966-69), as well as McGuinness and, until recent hearing issues, drummer-keyboardist Mike Hugg.
They’ll be hitting the road in the UK in September for their 60th Anniversary Tour, and McGuinness admits he enjoys it more now than in the Manfreds’ heyday. “I got into being in a band to play music live, not to make records,” he says. “We are able to indulge in a little bit of blues, a little bit of jazz and a lot of hits, which is what the package will be when we go out this Autumn.”
Manfred Mann’s early success was based on Jones’ boyish good looks and a string of bluesbased hit singles. The introduction of d’Abo saw them move to pop-based fare and score worldwide in 1968 with the definitive version of Bob Dylan’s Mighty Quinn, but they remained wedded to the 7” vinyl format and recording songs from outside writers. The combination of these factors hastened their demise – but their classic pop songs still strike a chord with audiences of all ages six decades on.
The band began life as the Mann-Hugg Jazz Quartet, led by keyboardist Manfred Mann and featuring Mike Hugg. A namechange to the Mann-Hugg Blues Band indicated a shift in direction, while a further re-christening came at record-label EMI’s request when Paul Jones (born Paul Pond) joined the titular duo as lead singer/harmonica player; Dave Richmond (bass) and Mike Vickers (guitar, sax) made up the quintet.
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Record Collector.
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Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Record Collector.
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WINDOWS ON THE WORLD
At the peak of their powers in the early 70s, by 1975 there were signs that Led Zeppelin were burning out, and their legendary appetite for excess, not to mention stadium-straddling, mythically charged, epically inclined hard rock, might be waning.
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Running a record shop is a dream for many music aficionados. Steve Burniston investigates how to run a successful one
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The unsung heroes who helped forge modern music
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Finished Symphonies
In the late 80s, Shelleyan Orphan made rarefied, ravishing, precious (both meanings) baroque pop, all chamber quartet accompaniment and literary reference points, like an 18th century Cocteau Twins.
"BLACK BRITISH PEOPLE HAD SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT"
Breaking new ground for black music in Britain from his teenage years in Matumbi in the early 70s, Dennis Bovell went on to become one of reggae's most highly regarded producers, helping popularise lovers rock. He also played a pivotal role in post-punk's experimental incorporation of dub influences on records like The Slits' Cut and The Pop Group's Y. As new compilation, Sufferer Sounds, reaches back to his early days to compile some of his best early dub plates, Lois Wilson gets the full backstory from one of British music's most enduring forces.
FRENZY REUNITED
Swindon's finest musical export, XTC were also one of the most quietly influential British bands, setting a template for Britpop while pioneering a brand of left-field guitar pop – from herky-jerky invention to consummate craftsmanship – that has spawned many imitators.
Paperback Blighters - The books every record collector should read.
The books every record collector should read. Vinyl, you may have heard, has made a big comeback. In 2022, sales of vinyl albums surpassed compact discs (CDs) for the first time in more than three decades in terms of global revenue, racking up more than $1.2bn.
"Beware the Savage Lure/of 1984..." - David Bowie is one of the most venerated musicians ever. But even he had his bad periods.
David Bowie is one of the most venerated musicians ever. But even he had his bad periods. For many, 1984 remains the nadir of his Phil Collins” phase; an artistic/sartonial/tonsorial disaster area. But was it really that awful? Forty years on, Matt Phillips explores Bowie's so-called annus horribilis.
