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The Manfreds

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The Manfreds
The Manfreds in 2021
The Manfreds in 2021
Background information
OriginLondon, England
GenresBeat, R&B
Years active1991–present
LabelsBMG/Camden
Members
Past members
Websitehttp://www.themanfreds.com

The Manfreds is a British pop group, formed in 1991 as a reunion of former members of the 1960s pop group Manfred Mann, though without their eponymous founder Manfred Mann.

History

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The original members of Manfred Mann, minus keyboard player Mann, reformed in 1991 to celebrate guitarist Tom McGuinness's 50th birthday, and to promote a Manfred Mann compilation released around the same time.[1] The absence of Mann forced them to adopt a different name.[1][2] Original singer Paul Jones, and his late-1960s replacement Mike d'Abo were involved, along with other members of Manfred Mann from their 1960s heyday including keyboard player Mike Hugg, Tom McGuinness and Mike Vickers with drummer Rob Townsend and originally Benny Gallagher on bass guitar.[1][3] They decided to continue the reunion, and in 1999 released the album 5-4-3-2-1 on the BMG sublabel Camden, described by Allmusic as "very close to their original sound, only a bit slicker".[1][4] Live album L.I.V.E. followed in 2000.[1] They went on to release further albums in 2000 and 2003. The group later included Marcus Cliffe (bass) and Simon Currie (flute and sax).[5]

They continued to perform live, fitting it in between their other individual commitments, with Jones, McGuinness, and Townsend also members of The Blues Band, Jones also continuing his solo career and acting, radio and television work, Hugg and Cliffe performing as part of a jazz trio, and D'Abo presenting radio shows and performing with The New Amen Corner.[5][6]

In 2013 they toured nationally to support a new Manfred Mann compilation,[3] and did so again in 2014 and 2016,[7][8][9] and in 2017 to promote their new album, Makin' Tracks, featuring both Jones and D'Abo on vocals, as well as performances in Ireland.

Mike Hugg retired from touring in 2022 and was replaced by Mike Gorman on keyboards.

Rob Townsend was advised not to undertake the 2023 Autumn 60th Anniversary tour on medical grounds and was replaced by Pete Riley on drums.

[5][10]

Personnel

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Ticket for the Pavilion Theatre on Cromer Pier, Show: The Manfreds.

Current members[11]

Dates related to pre-2020 are taken from gig references on the British Newspaper Archive.

  • Paul Jones – vocals, harmonica (Nov 1992–present)
  • Tom McGuinness – guitar, backing vocals[12] (Nov 1992–present)
  • Mike d'Abo – vocals, keyboards (Nov 1992–present)
  • Marcus Cliffe – bass guitar (Oct 2000–present)
  • Simon Currie – saxophone, flute (May 2002–present)
  • Mike Gorman - keyboards, vocals (Mar 2022–present)
  • Pete Riley - drums (Sep 2023–present)

Former members[13]

Discography

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Year Album UK albums US albums Additional information
1998 5-4-3-2-1 - - Catalogue No. BMG CD 74321 566632.
1999 Live - - Catalogue No. MANFREDS CD001.
2000 Maximum Manfreds - - Catalogue No. MANFREDS CD002.
2003 Uncovered - - Catalogue No. MANFREDS CD003.
2014 Let ‘em Roll - - Catalogue No. MANFREDs CD004.
2016 Makin' Tracks - -

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Eder, Bruce "The Manfreds Biography", AllMusic. Retrieved 2 September 2017
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011) The Encyclopedia of Popular Music 5th edn., Bish Bash Books, ISBN 978-1846098567
  3. ^ a b Eaton, Duncan (2013) "INTERVIEW: The Man Behind the Manfreds", Southern Daily Echo, 21 August 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2017
  4. ^ Eder, Bruce "5-4-3-2-1 Review", AllMusic. Retrieved 2 September 2017
  5. ^ a b c Hutchinson, Martin (2017) "The Manfreds are still Makin’ Tracks", Welwyn Hatfield Times, 9 April 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017
  6. ^ Barr, Gordon (2012) "Top British R&B band The Manfreds back for Gateshead gig", Evening Chronicle, 14 August 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2017
  7. ^ Nutall, James (2014) "Music interview: Mike d'Abo of The Manfreds", Yorkshire Evening Post, 6 November 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2017
  8. ^ Walker, Graham (2016) "PREVIEW: 5,4,3,2,1...Sixties icons The Manfreds on UK tour", Sheffield Star, 25 October 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2017
  9. ^ Roycroft-Davis, Chris (2016) "Return of the Manfred Men", Daily Express, 6 August 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2017
  10. ^ Clayton-Lea, Tony (2017) "Pack your Picnic basket: the best rock and pop gigs this week", The Irish Times, 31 August 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017
  11. ^ "The Manfreds - THE OFFICIAL MANFREDS WEBSITE - Home". Themanfreds.com. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  12. ^ A Sideman's Journey (liner notes). Voormann & Friends. Universal Music. 2009. 602 2706805.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ "The Manfreds Tickets & Tour Dates - StubHub UK!". StubHub. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
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