Australian Memories
Thanks to Mick Maloney
While researching the material for the Australian element of the upcoming 'Then & Now' DVD a number of articles from that period were found by long time Melbourne based fan, Mick Maloney. Some of these are planned to be used within the comprehensive notes which accompany the package. However others not used are reproduced here as we continue the 'back to the beginning' theme of this newsletter.
Manfred Mann came back to earth
Last night's performance at the Albert Hall, Launceston worked a complete change in
Manfred Mann. At attention Egged on Last tour
Before they went on stage, all members of the Earth Band seemed tense. Mann, looking satanic in a long swirling black cloak, prowled moodily around, saying little and looking extremely unapproachable.
He refused to give interviews until everyone had heard the band.
The La De Das finished a bracket of excellent rocky tunes, marred only by the bad acoustics, and the stage was set for Manfred Mann's Earth Band.
With few dramatics, the band walked on stage and plugged in.
The bracket began with slow pre-taped music.
The group stood motionless. Mann rigidly at attention, as the lights played over their faces and
sparkled on the polished surfaces of their instruments.
Suddenly the group exploded into action. Mann wearing green and blue leather jacket, looked for all the world like a gigantic, multi-coloured beetle as he flayed his keyboards.
He controlled everything, his synthesizer and organs seeming to create solid wedges of sound.
About half way through their hour and a half, the uneasiness seemed to have disappeared.
Colin Pattenden on bass and
drummer Chris Slade egged one another on and on and smiles began to flash across the stage.
Then "We would like to finish with a song that I used to play in 1967 when II was a pop star," Mann quipped.
The hall reverberated to the familiar strains of "Mighty Quinn."
The simple introduction to the last number probably sums up Manfred man today.
He is no longer a pop star but a serious musician with an incredible stage presence and sense
of the dramatic.
His abruptness disappeared after the show.
"I don't mind talking about the past now you've seen the performance."
He seemed to enjoy talking about himself and most of all his music.
Asked about
the reported incidents on his last tour here, he confirmed. "We did have some trouble, I strained my ankle coming down stairs. It was terrible - I had to go home straight away."
His dedication to his music is obvious.
"I'm
really not interested where music as a whole is heading. I just play what we play - I don't bother where everyone else is going."
Mann has been here before, as has Mick Rogers, the lead guitarist who played in Procession and Bulldog
while living here.
The Earth Band's itinerary when it leaves Australia after approximately 25 performances here includes a week in Britain and a tour of Germany and Denmark.
It is a pity for local groups badly needing international bands
to set an example that Launceston will probably be left out of future tours. The size of the audience last night was disappointing.
Perhaps the Earth Band was not the best for Launceston's first international visit - and the acoustics
in the Albert Hall could not have been worse.
One of the band's road managers said it was the worst place they had played in years.
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