Manfred Mann Pianist and composer Date of Birth: 21.10.1940 Country: South Africa

1. Childhood and Early Influences
2. Early Music Career in South Africa
3. Political Exile and Immigration to England
4. Manfred Mann (1962-1969)
5. Manfred Mann Chapter Three (1969-1971)
6. Manfred Mann's Earth Band (1971-Present)
7. Commercial Success and Major Hits
8. Later Career and Legacy

Childhood and Early Influences

Michael Lubowitz (later Manfred Lubowitz) was born in a wealthy Lithuanian immigrant family in Johannesburg, South Africa. His mother, Alma Cohen, was a pianist, while his father, David Lubowitz, was a publisher. After completing school, young Lubowitz joined his father's business. Despite his family's affluence, Lubowitz was deeply affected by the apartheid regime in South Africa.

Early Music Career in South Africa

Lubowitz pursued classical music studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, but his true passion lay in jazz. He performed as a jazz pianist at numerous Johannesburg clubs. In the late 1950s, he collaborated with childhood friend Gary Miller to record two albums as The Vikings.

Political Exile and Immigration to England

Lubowitz's opposition to apartheid led him to leave South Africa in 1961. He initially moved to New York City, then to England. Around this time, he began writing for Jazz News under the pseudonym Manfred Manne, which was later shortened to Mann.

Manfred Mann (1962-1969)

In 1962, Mann met drummer Mike Hugg at a holiday camp. Together, they formed the jazz-blues quintet Manfred Mann. HMV Records signed the band in 1963, and their name was changed to simply Manfred Mann. The band's eclectic sound blended rhythm and blues with pop, mostly covering songs written by others. Their biggest hits included "Do Wah Diddy Diddy," "Sha La La," "Pretty Flamingo," and "Mighty Quinn."

Manfred Mann Chapter Three (1969-1971)

After Manfred Mann disbanded in 1969, Mann reunited with Mike Hugg to form Manfred Mann Chapter Three, an experimental jazz-rock group. Despite releasing two albums, the band soon dissolved. Mann also made a cameo appearance and composed the music for the 1969 film "Venus in Furs."

Manfred Mann's Earth Band (1971-Present)

Undeterred by the previous ventures, Mann founded Manfred Mann's Earth Band (MMEB) in 1971. The band's lineup has changed frequently over the years, but Mann and guitarist Mick Rogers have remained as core members. MMEB's early albums combined elements of progressive rock, symphonic rock, and hard rock. Their fourth album, "Solar Fire," featured the hit "Joybringer," a rock adaptation of Gustav Holst's "Jupiter" from "The Planets."

Commercial Success and Major Hits

MMEB achieved major success in the mid-to-late 1970s. "Nightingales and Bombers" (1975) became the band's first hit album, followed by the platinum-selling "The Roaring Silence" (1976). The latter album featured the hit single "Blinded by the Light," a cover of Bruce Springsteen's song. In 1977, the single topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became a global hit.

Later Career and Legacy

MMEB continued to release albums and tour throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In 1991, Mann released a solo album, "Manfred Mann's Plain Music," based on Native American folk music. MMEB later reunited and is still active today. Manfred Mann's extensive career has encompassed jazz, blues, rock, and folk, and he is renowned for his virtuoso keyboard playing.