Manfred Mann was a British R&B and pop band of the 1960s, named after their keyboard player, who later led the successful 1970s follow-on group Manfred Mann's Earth Band.
Manfred Mann himself was originally named Manfred Liebowitz; he was born October 21, 1940 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Lubowitz originally formed the band Manfred Mann in 1962, with his friend Mike Hugg on drums, but both took a background role in live performances. The lead vocalist, harmonica player and undoubted star of the band in the early years was Paul Jones, later a successful actor. Completing the line-up were Tom McGuinness on bass, and Mike Vickers on guitar and saxophone.
With Jones fronting, they had No. 1 hits in the U.K. with their cover version of the Exciters' " Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and with " Pretty Flamingo", as well as success with " 5-4-3-2-1", " Come Tomorrow", and " If You Gotta Go, Go Now". They were not a major player in the British Invasion of the U.S., but "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" reached No. 1 there too in 1964, while "She La La" and "Pretty Flamingo" were also hits.
When Jones left in 1966 at the height of their fame, he was replaced by Mike d'Abo - among those on the shortlist was Rod Stewart - and this was one of the few occasions when a band has successfully swapped lead singers and remained at the top. Vickers also left, to be replaced briefly by Jack Bruce (later of Cream) then Klaus Voorman (of Beatles association fame) on bass, as McGuinness switched to rhythm and lead guitar.
With d'Abo as vocalist, they enjoyed several more U.K. hits, including " Ha Ha Said the Clown", " My Name Is Jack", " Fox On The Run", " Ragamuffin Man", the instrumental " Sweet Pea", and a No. 1 with Bob Dylan's " Mighty Quinn" in 1968. In the U.S., "Mighty Quinn" was the only hit of these, reaching No. 10.
