Manfred Mann (born Manfred Sepse Lubowitz; 21 October 1940 in Johannesburg, Transvaal, Union of South Africa) is a South African–British keyboard player, guitarist, and vocalist best known as a founding member and namesake of Manfred Mann, Manfred Mann Chapter Three and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. (More from Wikipedia)
Manfred Mann was one of the original British Invasion bands, but they deserve more State-side success than they had, so allow me to quote Bruce Eder’s article in Allmusic to give an overview of the band’s history: “An R&B band that only played pop to get on the charts, Manfred Mann ranked among the most adept British Invasion acts in both styles. The fact that their range encompassed jazz as well as rhythm & blues, coupled with some elements of their appearance and presentation – co-founder/keyboardist Manfred Mann’s bearded, bespectacled presence – also made the Manfreds more of a thinking person’s band than a cute, cuddly outfit like the Beatles, or sexual provocateurs in the manner of the Rolling Stones. Yet, their approach to R&B was as valid as that of the Stones, equally compelling and often more sophisticated. They charted an impressive number of singles from 1964 through 1969, and developed a large, loyal international fandom that lingers to this day.”
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A more definitive chapter was announced with the formation of the jazz/rock group Manfred Mann Chapter Three, with only Mike Hugg and Manfred Mann himself remaining from the original band – described on the liner notes as “the Manfred Mann pop group”.
(June 2014)
