MAXIMUM RHYTHM AND BLUES
with The Manfreds
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
Thu 20 Oct
with The Manfreds
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
Thu 20 Oct
‘‘Fifty years on and we are at the peak of our game’
says Mike d’Abo, to Jacquee Storozynski-Toll - as The Manfreds start their tour.
says Mike d’Abo, to Jacquee Storozynski-Toll - as The Manfreds start their tour.
Although very busy, Mike d’ Abo kindly took some time to answer a few questions:-
Thanks very much for sparing the time to chat to me about the new tour, which begins in Plymouth. On the 20th October, you will be performing at the Cliff’s Pavilion in Southend, have you performed there before?
Many, many times over the years. I even have a favourite pub that I always go to when in town. One funny thing I remember was about ten years ago. I did a gig in Southend and was in a local restaurant, where a guy was playing the guitar. A customer asked to sing with him, and suggested various songs such as Smoke on the Water, but the guitarist didn’t know any of them. Finally, he handed him his playing list, and the only song on it the guy could sing was Postman Pat.
I thought you were going to say that he chose one of yours and you joined in.
No, he didn’t do that, but I would have done. I often perform when people recognise me and ask for a song. I like doing that.
The band reformed in 1991 with several of the original members. How did that happen?
It was the suggestion of Tom McGuiness when we met up for a party. The Manfreds now consist of original members Paul Jones, myself, Tom McGuinness and Mike Hugg – who founded the group. In addition, there are Rob Townsend, Marcus Cliffe, and Simon Currie.
When you reformed didn’t bassist Klaus Voorman want to join?
Klaus lives in Germany now and is really a graphic artist. He designed the Revolver cover for the Beatles and was very much part of the sixties era having known the Beatles from their Hamburg days. We are still in touch, he recently asked me to proof his English for a book he is bringing out called The Birth of an Icon – Revolver 50. That is because it is fifty years since that album. We have had several bass players since including, Tom Robinson, Benny Gallagher of Gallagher and Lyle, Dick Cadbury and now Marcus Cliffe.
This tour has PP Arnold and Zoot Money guesting. Have you worked with them before?
I have performed with PP Arnold, who was originally a Tina Turner Ikette. Zoot is a legend with his Big Roll Band, and is very much part of the era, but this is the first time I have worked with him. He has one of my songs on his new album. They will be performing several songs, and also duetting with Paul and me.
Why is the tour called Maximum Rhythm and Blues?
When Manfred Mann started with Paul Jones it was more R&B than it became later when I joined. However, as we have toured with guests such as Maggie Bell of Stone the Crows, Colin Blunstone, and now Zoot of course, R & B is still relevant.
Thanks very much for sparing the time to chat to me about the new tour, which begins in Plymouth. On the 20th October, you will be performing at the Cliff’s Pavilion in Southend, have you performed there before?
Many, many times over the years. I even have a favourite pub that I always go to when in town. One funny thing I remember was about ten years ago. I did a gig in Southend and was in a local restaurant, where a guy was playing the guitar. A customer asked to sing with him, and suggested various songs such as Smoke on the Water, but the guitarist didn’t know any of them. Finally, he handed him his playing list, and the only song on it the guy could sing was Postman Pat.
I thought you were going to say that he chose one of yours and you joined in.
No, he didn’t do that, but I would have done. I often perform when people recognise me and ask for a song. I like doing that.
The band reformed in 1991 with several of the original members. How did that happen?
It was the suggestion of Tom McGuiness when we met up for a party. The Manfreds now consist of original members Paul Jones, myself, Tom McGuinness and Mike Hugg – who founded the group. In addition, there are Rob Townsend, Marcus Cliffe, and Simon Currie.
When you reformed didn’t bassist Klaus Voorman want to join?
Klaus lives in Germany now and is really a graphic artist. He designed the Revolver cover for the Beatles and was very much part of the sixties era having known the Beatles from their Hamburg days. We are still in touch, he recently asked me to proof his English for a book he is bringing out called The Birth of an Icon – Revolver 50. That is because it is fifty years since that album. We have had several bass players since including, Tom Robinson, Benny Gallagher of Gallagher and Lyle, Dick Cadbury and now Marcus Cliffe.
This tour has PP Arnold and Zoot Money guesting. Have you worked with them before?
I have performed with PP Arnold, who was originally a Tina Turner Ikette. Zoot is a legend with his Big Roll Band, and is very much part of the era, but this is the first time I have worked with him. He has one of my songs on his new album. They will be performing several songs, and also duetting with Paul and me.
Why is the tour called Maximum Rhythm and Blues?
When Manfred Mann started with Paul Jones it was more R&B than it became later when I joined. However, as we have toured with guests such as Maggie Bell of Stone the Crows, Colin Blunstone, and now Zoot of course, R & B is still relevant.
Why have you changed the name to Manfreds?
We had to, because Manfred Mann the performer is still touring with his Earth Band so we can’t use the name.
I noticed on the earlier tour dates that you aren’t appearing at all the venues. Why is that?
Three or four years ago, I said I didn’t want to tour anymore. I have a young family and don’t want to be away from home for too long. However, I love performing, so I have agreed to do a small amount. I have done ten tours in ten years. I usually do the summer festivals and a tour approximately every 18 months. Derek Nichol, who promotes Flying Music likes to add me to the tour, as it broadens the appeal. He also promotes the Sounds of the Sixties tours. Sometimes, we tour as the Manfreds alone, and sometimes we have guests. When they tour without me, the emphasis is on Paul’s hits and there are jazz instrumentals.
As the band are all involved in different things, is it difficult to get together.
Paul is very busy with his Blues Band and his radio show so we will only have a couple of days to rehearse.
Will you both be performing only your old hits or newer material?
It is 70% the well-known hits and 30% newer songs as well as the duets. Paul Jones is the Master of Ceremonies and he and I will probably alternate songs. He will take the lead on his songs, and I will provide keyboards and backing vocals, and on my songs, he will provide backing vocals and harmonica. He is a formidable harmonica player. I will also perform some of my self- penned songs and Tom McGuiness of McGuiness Flint will perform some of their hits.
Some years ago my brother Richard Myers, who is a sixties buff, had your songs played on the Three in One spot on Brian Mathew’s radio show Sounds of the Sixties. He chose When the Sun Comes Shining Through, by Long John Baldry, Loving Cup by the Fortunes and The Last Goodbye by Chris Farlowe.
Gosh, it is nice to remember those songs. The Long John Baldry version came about because Tony Macaulay heard it and took it to Pye record company as a ballad. It wasn’t written as one. Also, I loved the Fortunes and their counter melodies, and tried to reproduce it with Loving Cup. It was a number one in Holland. The Last Goodbye is on record as a film theme but it wasn’t. Andrew Loog Oldham, the Stones’ Manager thought the title sounded like a film and publicised it on that basis.
Do you intend to release any new material?
It is difficult to get a recording deal nowadays, even Elton John can’t get one. It is all about ‘networking.’ It was easy in the sixties but then by the 70s and 80s the hit makers became obscure. Now we are back. It is all revivals now; we will be promoting a CD compilation of tracks from over twenty years, the classic hits but adding new material as well.
We had to, because Manfred Mann the performer is still touring with his Earth Band so we can’t use the name.
I noticed on the earlier tour dates that you aren’t appearing at all the venues. Why is that?
Three or four years ago, I said I didn’t want to tour anymore. I have a young family and don’t want to be away from home for too long. However, I love performing, so I have agreed to do a small amount. I have done ten tours in ten years. I usually do the summer festivals and a tour approximately every 18 months. Derek Nichol, who promotes Flying Music likes to add me to the tour, as it broadens the appeal. He also promotes the Sounds of the Sixties tours. Sometimes, we tour as the Manfreds alone, and sometimes we have guests. When they tour without me, the emphasis is on Paul’s hits and there are jazz instrumentals.
As the band are all involved in different things, is it difficult to get together.
Paul is very busy with his Blues Band and his radio show so we will only have a couple of days to rehearse.
Will you both be performing only your old hits or newer material?
It is 70% the well-known hits and 30% newer songs as well as the duets. Paul Jones is the Master of Ceremonies and he and I will probably alternate songs. He will take the lead on his songs, and I will provide keyboards and backing vocals, and on my songs, he will provide backing vocals and harmonica. He is a formidable harmonica player. I will also perform some of my self- penned songs and Tom McGuiness of McGuiness Flint will perform some of their hits.
Some years ago my brother Richard Myers, who is a sixties buff, had your songs played on the Three in One spot on Brian Mathew’s radio show Sounds of the Sixties. He chose When the Sun Comes Shining Through, by Long John Baldry, Loving Cup by the Fortunes and The Last Goodbye by Chris Farlowe.
Gosh, it is nice to remember those songs. The Long John Baldry version came about because Tony Macaulay heard it and took it to Pye record company as a ballad. It wasn’t written as one. Also, I loved the Fortunes and their counter melodies, and tried to reproduce it with Loving Cup. It was a number one in Holland. The Last Goodbye is on record as a film theme but it wasn’t. Andrew Loog Oldham, the Stones’ Manager thought the title sounded like a film and publicised it on that basis.
Do you intend to release any new material?
It is difficult to get a recording deal nowadays, even Elton John can’t get one. It is all about ‘networking.’ It was easy in the sixties but then by the 70s and 80s the hit makers became obscure. Now we are back. It is all revivals now; we will be promoting a CD compilation of tracks from over twenty years, the classic hits but adding new material as well.
When not performing, do you want to concentrate on your song writing?
I do perform separately as I do An Evening with Mike d’Abo; there I perform all the songs by people that most influenced me such as Fats Waller, Tommy Steele, Elvis, The Everlys and the Beatles. In my opinion they were the greatest rock and rollers, particularly their early stuff. Paul McCartney singing Long Tall Sally and John Lennon doing Dizzy Miss Lizzie can’t be beaten. However, I also want to raise my profile and get my material performed by other artists such as Robbie Williams. My songs have a more emotional content than a rock beat. I want to work with new, young musicians. The success of our tours raises our profile for a newer, younger audience.
Your song Handbags and Gladrags has become a classic, and was even used for the TV Programme The Office.
It is nice of you to say so. It was written for Chris Farlowe, but others have covered it. Stereophonics recently had a hit with it after their singer Kelly Jones heard it on a Rod Stewart album ,and wanted to record it. Ricky Gervais wanted to use the Rod Stewart version, but it would have cost too much so they recorded it themselves. I am flattered they used it, but nobody realised that it was my song.
Your cousin Maryam was a Bond Girl, and your daughter Olivia is a successful actress. Do none of your family want to follow you into the music business?
Maryam now runs an agency for Bond Girls, and Olivia has written songs that she released on an album. The next up and coming d’Abo is Phoebe. She is a successful DJ and travels the world playing on the club scene. She also appeared in an advert for women’s products on TV.
Finally, how do you feel about still performing after all these years?
This 7-piece line-up is at the peak of its game. Paul Jones and I agree that we deliver more energy, and have a better repertoire than we ever had in the sixties. We have to be fit to do the tours, and whilst we are healthy and energetic, there will be even more tours in hand.
On that note, I will leave you to get on with your busy life.
Thanks, I enjoyed talking to you and give my regards to your brother.
For tickets at the Cliffs Pavilion call the box office on 01702 351135 or go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk