Manfred Mann's Earth Band

As an aspiring jazz keyboardist, South-African born Manfred Lubowitz, changed his name to Manfred Mann and started a band of the same name. Initially an R&B group, Manfred Mann later altered their sound to be more accessible; breaking into international recognition with the covers “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” by the Exciters and “Sha La La” by the Shirelles. Mann’s subsequent band Manfred Mann Chapter Three took the group in a more jazz-fusion direction before the formation of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band in 1971.

The line-up consisted of Mick Rogers on guitar and vocals, Manfred Mann on synths and vocals, Colin Pattenden on bass, and Chris Slade on drums. The band took a new rock direction, this time making use of synthesisers as was clear on the group’s eponymously-titled debut album. From 1971 until 1976 the group line-up remained consistent and released six albums including “Glorified Magnified” in 1972, “Messin’” in 1973 and “Nightingales and Bombers” in 1975. The latter of which took its name from a WWII naturalist’s recording of a nightingale singing in a garden as bombers were flying overhead.

On top of crafting their own material, the group became known for their selection of covers by esteemed artists including Bob Dylan’s “Quit Your Low Down Ways” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Blinded By The Light” and “Spirit In The Night”. Manfred Mann Earth Band also proudly produced songs of social commentary, discussing such topics as slavery, mental institutions and science as a form of social control.

The band released another string of albums throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s including “The Roaring Silence”, “Watch” and the politically charged “Somewhere in Africa", recorded with number of African musicians after being banned from his native South Africa for supporting the anti-apartheid movement. The band underwent a hiatus in the late ’80s and early ‘90s however returned and produced covers by Paul Weller, Robert Cray and The Lovin’ Spoonful and continued their trend of extensive touring.