Manfred Mann (musician)
Encyclopedia
Manfred Mann is a keyboard
player best known as a founding member and namesake of Manfred Mann
and Manfred Mann's Earth Band
.
at the University of the Witwatersrand
, and worked as a jazz
pianist
at a number of clubs
in Johannesburg. Between 1959 and 1961 he and his childhood friend Saul Ozynski recorded
two album
s as The Vikings--South Africa's first rock 'n' roll
band
.
Strongly opposed to the apartheid system in his native South Africa, Lubowitz re-located to the United Kingdom
in 1961 and began to write for "Jazz News" under the pseudonym Manfred Manne (after jazz drummer Shelly Manne
), which was soon shortened to Manfred Mann. The next year he met drummer and keyboard player Mike Hugg
at Clacton Butlins Holiday Camp
and together they formed a large blues
-jazz band called the Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers. This eventually evolved into a 5-piece group and they signed a record deal with EMI
in 1963, under the HMV
label
. They changed their name to Manfred Mann
at the suggestion of the label's record producer
, and from 1964 to 1969 they had a succession of hit records
: ("Do Wah Diddy Diddy
", "Sha La La", "Pretty Flamingo
", "Mighty Quinn"). The group split in 1969, and Mann immediately formed another outfit with Mike Hugg, Manfred Mann Chapter Three
, an experimental jazz rock
band. They disbanded after 2 albums, but Mann formed a new outfit in 1971, Manfred Mann's Earth Band
, which still record and perform to this day. Their well-known hits include the #1 "Blinded by the Light
", "Runner", which peaked at #22 and "Davy's On The Road Again".
Mann has also released solo projects under "Manfred Mann's Plain Music" and "Manfred Mann '06."
synthesizer. His keyboard parts are often improvised, inspired by jazz.
solo in the Uriah Heep
song July Morning
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
player best known as a founding member and namesake of Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann was a British beat, rhythm and blues and pop band of the 1960s, named after their South African keyboardist, Manfred Mann, who later led the successful 1970s group Manfred Mann's Earth Band...
and Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a British progressive rock group formed in 1971 by Manfred Mann.-Formation:Having started in the 1960s with a British band that had such hits as "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and "The Mighty Quinn", then moving on to Jazz Fusion with Manfred Mann's Chapter Three, Manfred's third...
.
Career
Lubowitz studied classical musicClassical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
at the University of the Witwatersrand
University of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg is a South African university situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg. It is more commonly known as Wits University...
, and worked as a jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
at a number of clubs
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
in Johannesburg. Between 1959 and 1961 he and his childhood friend Saul Ozynski recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
two album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s as The Vikings--South Africa's first rock 'n' roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
.
Strongly opposed to the apartheid system in his native South Africa, Lubowitz re-located to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1961 and began to write for "Jazz News" under the pseudonym Manfred Manne (after jazz drummer Shelly Manne
Shelly Manne
Shelly Manne , born Sheldon Manne in New York City, was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, swing, bebop, avant-garde jazz and fusion, as well as contributing...
), which was soon shortened to Manfred Mann. The next year he met drummer and keyboard player Mike Hugg
Mike Hugg
Mike Hugg is a professional musician and a founding member of the 1960s group Manfred Mann.-Biography:...
at Clacton Butlins Holiday Camp
Butlins
Butlins is a chain of large holiday camps in the United Kingdom. Butlins was founded by Billy Butlin to provide affordable holidays for ordinary British families....
and together they formed a large blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
-jazz band called the Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers. This eventually evolved into a 5-piece group and they signed a record deal with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
in 1963, under the HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. They changed their name to Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann was a British beat, rhythm and blues and pop band of the 1960s, named after their South African keyboardist, Manfred Mann, who later led the successful 1970s group Manfred Mann's Earth Band...
at the suggestion of the label's record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, and from 1964 to 1969 they had a succession of hit records
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
: ("Do Wah Diddy Diddy
Do Wah Diddy Diddy
"Do Wah Diddy Diddy" is a song written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich and originally recorded in 1963 by the American vocal group The Exciters.It was soon covered by British R&B, Beat and pop band Manfred Mann...
", "Sha La La", "Pretty Flamingo
Pretty Flamingo
"Pretty Flamingo" is a song written by Mark Barkan, which became a hit in 1966 when Manfred Mann's recording of it was released as a single. The single reached number one in the UK singles chart on 5 May 1966....
", "Mighty Quinn"). The group split in 1969, and Mann immediately formed another outfit with Mike Hugg, Manfred Mann Chapter Three
Manfred Mann Chapter Three
Manfred Mann Chapter Three was a British experimental jazz rock band founded by South African keyboard player Manfred Mann and long-time partner Mike Hugg...
, an experimental jazz rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band. They disbanded after 2 albums, but Mann formed a new outfit in 1971, Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a British progressive rock group formed in 1971 by Manfred Mann.-Formation:Having started in the 1960s with a British band that had such hits as "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and "The Mighty Quinn", then moving on to Jazz Fusion with Manfred Mann's Chapter Three, Manfred's third...
, which still record and perform to this day. Their well-known hits include the #1 "Blinded by the Light
Blinded by the Light
"Blinded by the Light" is a song written and originally recorded by Bruce Springsteen, although it is mostly known by its 1977 #1 hit version recorded by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. It was released in the United Kingdom in August 1976, where it reached No...
", "Runner", which peaked at #22 and "Davy's On The Road Again".
Mann has also released solo projects under "Manfred Mann's Plain Music" and "Manfred Mann '06."
Style
Manfred Mann used various keyboard instruments through his career, but he is especially famous for his solo performance on MinimoogMinimoog
The Minimoog is a monophonic analog synthesizer, invented by Bill Hemsath and Robert Moog. It was released in 1970 by R.A. Moog Inc. , and production was stopped in 1981. It was re-designed by Robert Moog in 2002 and released as Minimoog Voyager.The Minimoog was designed in response to the use of...
synthesizer. His keyboard parts are often improvised, inspired by jazz.
Discography
- See Manfred Mann discographyManfred Mann discography-Singles:- EPs :- UK albums :-US albums:-References:*...
, Manfred Mann Chapter ThreeManfred Mann Chapter ThreeManfred Mann Chapter Three was a British experimental jazz rock band founded by South African keyboard player Manfred Mann and long-time partner Mike Hugg...
and Manfred Mann's Earth Band discographyManfred Mann's Earth Band discographyThe discography of British rock band Manfred Mann's Earth Band consists of 16 studio albums, 2 live albums, 8 compilation albums, 4 video albums, and 29 singles. Manfred Mann's Earth Band have been releasing albums and singles since 1971....
.
Guest work
Manfred Mann played MinimoogMinimoog
The Minimoog is a monophonic analog synthesizer, invented by Bill Hemsath and Robert Moog. It was released in 1970 by R.A. Moog Inc. , and production was stopped in 1981. It was re-designed by Robert Moog in 2002 and released as Minimoog Voyager.The Minimoog was designed in response to the use of...
solo in the Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
song July Morning
July Morning (song)
"July Morning" is a song by Uriah Heep. It is the third track of their 1971 album Look at Yourself.The song was written by the band's keyboardist Ken Hensley and original lead singer, David Byron. Approximately the last four minutes of the piece consist of an organ solo, serving as a fine example...