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Richard ManitobaAmerican punk rock singer and radio host
Date of Birth: 29.01.1954
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Richard Manitoba
Early Life and CareerRichard Manitoba, also known as Handsome Dick, is an American punk rock singer and radio host. He was born as Richard Blum on January 29, 1954, in The Bronx, New York. Manitoba started his career as a roadie for the New York-based band 'The Dictators', occasionally being invited on stage. His official debut with 'The Dictators' took place in 1975 during their performance at Popeye's Spinach Factory in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn.
The Dictators and Solo Work
In the band's first album, 'The Dictators Go Girl Crazy!', released in 1975 by Epic Records, Manitoba was referred to as the "secret weapon". Although he had already been singing some lead and background vocals, he was still considered more of a "talisman" for the group. He took on a more prominent role in the second album, 'Manifest Destiny', released in 1977 on the Asylum label. Manitoba performed lead vocals for almost all the tracks in the band's third and final studio album of the 70s, 'Bloodbrothers', also released by Asylum in 1978.
After 'The Dictators' announced their breakup in late 1978, Manitoba transitioned to a career as a taxi driver. However, the band continued to reunite occasionally until 1996 when they started playing regularly again. In 1989, Manitoba, along with bassist and composer Andy Shernoff, drummer JP 'Thunderbolt' Patterson, and guitarist Daniel Rey, released an album titled 'Manitoba's Wild Kingdom' on MCA Records. Ross Friedman, guitarist of 'The Dictators', eventually replaced Rey. Manitoba performed with the band at the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash in 2008.
Later Career
Since 1999, Manitoba has been managing 'Manitobas', a bar in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He appeared in the documentary film 'Kiss Loves You' in 2004. As a vocalist, he joined the rock band 'MC5' for several performances after their original vocalist, Rob Tyner, passed away in 1991.
Since 2006, Manitoba has been involved in a joint initiative with 'MC5' bassist Michael Davis, serving on the board of directors for Davis' non-profit organization called the 'Music Is Revolution Foundation'. The foundation supports music education in public schools. Currently, Manitoba hosts 'The Handsome Dick Manitoba Radio Program' on Sirius XM Radio.
In 2004, Manitoba discovered that Canadian musician Daniel Snaith had been releasing albums under the name 'Manitoba' since 2000, which is also the name of a Canadian province. Manitoba believed this was a trademark infringement and notified Snaith. However, Snaith disagreed, comparing it to a hypothetical scenario where 'The Smiths' would sue someone named John Smith. Eventually, Snaith changed the project's name to 'Caribou'.
