Mike d’Abo of Manfred Mann fame

Mon, Jun 27th 2022 at 5:44 pm - 9:00 pm

Manfred Mann was a prominent English rock group in the 1960’s which Mike joined as lead singer in 1966. Tonight Mike will regale us about his career history


MIKE d'ABO first came to prominence in 1966, replacing PAUL JONES as lead singer with MANFRED MANN. Seven Top 10 hits followed - 'JUST LIKE A WOMAN', 'SEMI DETACHED SUBURBAN MR JAMES', 'HA! HA! SAID THE CLOWN', 'FOX ON THE RUN', 'MY NAME IS JACK', 'RAGAMUFFIN MAN' & 'THE MIGHTY QUINN', (which became the band's 3rd No.1 hit after 'DO WAH DIDDY' & 'PRETTY FLAMINGO'). 

Mike also found great success as a songwriter composing 'HANDBAGS & GLADRAGS' for CHRIS FARLOWE (1967) and ROD STEWART (1969). The song found even greater success with STEREOPHONICS in 2000, reaching No 4 in the UK charts. It also became the theme tune for RICKY GERVAIS's BBC comedy classic, 'THE OFFICE'.

In 1968, he wrote 'BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP' for THE FOUNDATIONS, which won him a prestigious IVOR NOVELLO award. In the 1970's he composed several award winning jingles, including CADBURY'S 'FINGER OF FUDGE', and wrote the film music for 'THERE'S A GIRL IN MY SOUP', starring Peter Sellers & Goldie Hawn. Reverting to his role as singer, TIM RICE & ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER chose Mike to sing 'KING HEROD'S SONG' on the original cast recording of 'JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR' (1971) 

Mike today remains a highly respected singer, musician & songwriter, continuing to perform with 'THE MANFREDS', (alongside former MANFRED MANN members PAUL JONES, TOM McGUINNESS & MIKE HUGG,) as well as fronting his own band 'MIKE d'ABO & HIS MIGHTY QUINTET'. 

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