Manfred Mann

Manfred Mann

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1962 in London, England
Founder	Manfred Mann, Mike Hugg
Defunct	1969
Headquarters	London , England
Area served	United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Sweden
Key people	Manfred Mann, Mike Hugg, Paul Jones, Mike d'Abo, Mike Vickers, Tom McGuinness, Jack Bruce, Klaus Voormann
Products	Music albums and singles

Manfred Mann was a British rock ensemble established in London in 1962, taking its name from the group's keyboardist Manfred Mann. Throughout its existence, the band featured two principal vocalists: Paul Jones from 1962 to 1966, followed by Mike d'Abo from 1966 until 1969. Other notable members comprised Mike Hugg, Mike Vickers, Dave Richmond, Tom McGuinness, Jack Bruce, and Klaus Voormann.

As a prominent element of the 1960s Swinging London music movement, Manfred Mann regularly appeared on the UK Singles Chart. Their initial breakthrough came with the track "5-4-3-2-1" in 1964, which was used as the theme tune for ITV’s pop program Ready Steady Go!. The band achieved a number one hit in both the UK and US with "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" (1964) and later secured two more UK chart-toppers with "Pretty Flamingo" (1966) and "Mighty Quinn" (1968).

Formation and Early Years (1962–1963)

The Mann–Hugg Blues Brothers emerged in London in 1962, founded by keyboardist Manfred Mann alongside drummer, vibraphonist, and pianist Mike Hugg, who had previously performed in a house band with Graham Bond. Influenced by their mutual interest in jazz during London's burgeoning British blues era, the group’s lineup included Mike Vickers handling guitar, alto saxophone, and flute; bassist Dave Richmond; and lead singer/harmonica player Paul Jones. Early changes to personnel saw Tony Smith on bass and Glyn Thomas on drums. Briefly, they performed under the name Manfred Mann & the Manfreds, gaining recognition for their unique musical style.

At producer John Burgess' recommendation, they shortened their name to Manfred Mann and signed with His Master's Voice in March 1963. Their first single, an instrumental blues piece titled "Why Should We Not?", was released in July 1963 but did not enter the charts; its follow-up vocal single "Cock-a-Hoop" also failed to chart. Their sound was distinguished by layered solos featuring woodwinds, vibraphone, harmonica, and keyboards, reflecting their jazz-oriented musicianship.

Breakthrough and Rising Popularity (1964–1966)

In 1964, Manfred Mann composed the theme for ITV’s pop show Ready Steady Go!, creating "5-4-3-2-1", which climbed to No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart, boosted by television exposure. After bassist Richmond left the group, Tom McGuinness took over his role. Following their original track "Hubble Bubble (Toil And Trouble)", they achieved significant commercial acclaim with "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", a cover version that reached number one in the UK, US, and Canada.

This newfound success marked a transition from their jazz-blues roots toward a pop-oriented sound primarily based on cover songs. Subsequent hits included "Sha La La", which peaked at No. 3 in the UK, and "Come Tomorrow", both showcasing a lighter musical approach. Their albums combined popular singles with elements of jazz and rhythm and blues; for instance, The Five Faces of Manfred Mann contained blues classics such as "Smokestack Lightning", while Mann Made featured original instrumental compositions alongside blues covers.

The band began incorporating more intricate arrangements on covers like Maxine Brown’s "Oh No Not My Baby" and initiated a series of successful renditions of Bob Dylan songs including "With God on Our Side" and their UK No. 2 hit "If You Gotta Go, Go Now". The EP The One in the Middle contained Paul Jones’ final self-written hit before his exit.

Internal aspirations prompted several lineup changes: Paul Jones intended to pursue solo projects; Mike Vickers departed to focus on orchestral music; McGuinness switched from bass to guitar; Jack Bruce briefly joined before founding Cream; he was succeeded by Klaus Voormann on bass. The group also transitioned to a new record label after EMI released compilations and an EP featuring earlier recordings. EMI controversially completed an unfinished track using session musicians without full band involvement, creating friction within Manfred Mann and leading McGuinness to comment "Manfreds disown new single" on their next album’s sleeve.

Mike d'Abo era (1966–1969)

In July 1966, Mike d'Abo took over from Jones, and the band transitioned to Fontana Records, with production by Shel Talmy. Their debut single on Fontana, a rendition of Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman" released in July, climbed into the UK top ten and topped the charts in Sweden. The album As Is arrived in October, showcasing enhanced studio production that distanced the group from their earlier jazz, soul, and blues influences. Singles such as "Semi-Detached, Suburban Mr James" and "Ha! Ha! Said the Clown" both secured spots within the UK Top 5. December saw the release of an instrumental EP titled Instrumental Assassination, featuring original member Dave Richmond on double bass but without d'Abo, suggesting it was recorded during prior sessions.

The instrumental track "Sweet Pea" reached No. 36 on the charts, while "So Long, Dad" failed to break into the top twenty. Apart from "Ha! Ha! Said The Clown," 1967 proved largely unremarkable in terms of chart success. No new studio album emerged as Mann and Hugg focused on other ventures; however, Fontana issued a budget compilation named What A Mann, which combined singles and instrumental tracks.

Two albums were released in 1968: the soundtrack for Up the Junction in February—whose title track single did not achieve commercial success—and Mighty Garvey! in July. The band enjoyed significant acclaim with "Mighty Quinn", marking their third UK number one hit and third cover of a Dylan composition; it also reached No. 3 in Canada and No. 10 in the United States.

In June 1968, "My Name is Jack", produced by John Simon, encountered release postponements after Mercury Records objected to a lyric mentioning a "Super Spade" drug dealer; for the US release, this was re-recorded as "Superman," while the UK version retained the original wording. Their December single, "Fox on the Run", attained No. 5 on UK charts.

Feeling constrained by being labeled primarily as a singles band—especially following two albums that failed to chart—the group ultimately disbanded in 1969.

Subsequent developments

As the band dissolved, Mann and Hugg—who had already been composing advertising jingles—continued their partnership through Manfred Mann Chapter Three, an experimental jazz-rock ensemble that Mann described as a counterpoint to their earlier commercial focus. Interestingly, their work overlapped commercially for a period: a television cigar advertisement, a track titled "Travellin' Lady" from Chapter Three's debut album, and the B-side of Manfred Mann's final single all incorporated an identical riff.

Chapter Three was short-lived; after releasing two albums and shelving a third, they disbanded by 1971. Subsequently, Mann formed a new group featuring Mick Rogers (guitar/vocals), Colin Pattenden (bass), and Chris Slade (drums/vocals). Initially performing under Manfred Mann's name, they issued singles including Dylan's "Please, Mrs. Henry" and Randy Newman's "Living Without You," with the latter gaining modest chart presence in the US under the moniker Manfred Mann's Earth Band. From 1972 onward, this name was consistently used for all releases, ushering in international commercial success. These three distinct phases—Manfred Mann (1962–1969), Chapter Three (1969–1971), and Earth Band (1971–present)—are officially recognized as separate entities.

Manfred Mann briefly reunited in June 1983 to celebrate the Marquee Club’s 25th anniversary in London.

During the 1990s, several founding members formed the Manfreds (without Mann himself), performing classic hits alongside jazz instrumentals with Paul Jones and Mike d'Abo alternating lead vocals.

In 1970, Tom McGuinness launched McGuinness Flint, which enjoyed several hits before dissolving in 1975. Jones and McGuinness later co-founded the Blues Band in 1978.

In 2009, members of the Manfreds collaborated with Klaus Voormann on his rendition of "Mighty Quinn" for his solo album A Sideman's Journey, credited collectively as 'Voormann & Friends.'

Personnel

All dates are sourced from Greg Russo's authorized publication Mannerisms

Band Members

• Manfred Mann – keyboards, backing vocals
• Mike Hugg – drums, vibraphone, keyboards
• Paul Jones – lead vocals, hand percussion, harmonica
• Mike Vickers – guitar, saxophones, flute, backing vocals
• Dave Richmond – bass guitar
• Tom McGuinness – bass guitar, guitar, backing vocals
• Jack Bruce – bass guitar, backing vocals
• Mike d'Abo – lead vocals, keyboards
• Klaus Voormann – bass guitar, recorder, flute, saxophone, backing vocals

Additional Contributors

The group was formed in October 1962 and underwent multiple lineup modifications during its initial phase. By March 1963, the first consistent ensemble was composed of Manfred Mann, Mike Hugg, Paul Jones, Mike Vickers, and Dave Richmond.

During the interval between Mike Vickers' exit and Jack Bruce's entry (October to November 1965), bass duties were temporarily handled by Pete Burford and David Hyde.

From November 1965 through June 1966, the main five-piece lineup—Mann, Hugg, Jones, McGuinness, and Bruce—was augmented with Lyn Dobson on saxophone and Henry Lowther on trumpet.

Timeline

Note: Only principal roles are indicated; many members contributed on multiple instruments.

Discography

Albums Released in the UK

• The Five Faces of Manfred Mann (1964)
• Mann Made (1965)
• As Is (1966)
• Up the Junction (1968)
• Mighty Garvey! (1968)

Albums Released in the US

• The Manfred Mann Album (1964)
• The Five Faces of Manfred Mann (1965)
• My Little Red Book of Winners! (1965)
• Mann Made (1965)
• Pretty Flamingo (1966)
• Up the Junction (1968)
• The Mighty Quinn (1968)

External links

• Interview with Mike D'Abo