Not Quite Overnight Sensations Part 5
Two important issues and connections I feel are relevant to mention at this stage are firstly that in 1978 Chris Thompson
sang lead vocals on 'Thunderchild' on Jeff Wayne's multi-platinum selling concept album 'War Of the Worlds', about Martians invading our planet charted in virtually every country on the globe, thus giving him the prestigious honour of
being voted one of Britain's best vocalists. Secondly, Mann himself was co-opted as a fellow at Goldsmith College, South London, to teach music theory. The following year Mann, Waller, King and Lingwood backed Jimmy Hibbert of The
Albertos on his 'Heavy Duty' album. Chance co-produced by the future Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin, renowned to close fans as the first official Manfred Mann solo album released in October 1980, although I know others who claim this to be
one of his more mundane releases, I am in disagreement, as in many ways I prefer this to its predecessor, finding its contents more accessible. To this day I find it enjoyable and interesting, and it is a frequent visitor to my CD player.
The Tour which followed was nothing short of electrifying! About a fortnight before the album release a remarkable incident occurred. I was browsing around Camden Market one Sunday afternoon looking for records, when I suddenly
looked up and saw Manfred standing two feet in front of me with a very amused expression on his face. After getting over this initial huge surprise, I proceeded to ask him questions about his new album and told him I couldn't wait to see
him play live again. He informed me about a couple of impending warm ups, we shook hands, Manfred thanked me once again for my eternal loyalty and proceeded to introduce me to his lady friend, Irene, and recommended that if I needed any
further assistance I should call The Workhouse, (I already did anyway!) Following the Chance tour, Pat King quit to work behind the scenes with the Alec Leslie group. To this day
Pat still continues to work with Alec and has been on hand on every Manfred tour since his resignation some 24 years ago,. Also managed were tours by such artists as Europe, Elkie Brooks, Joan Armatrading and
Toto. His replacement, Matt Irving was shortly drafted in. A multi talented musician who played keyboards as well as bass, he was recommended by Steve Waller who had by now thankfully returned to the fold as a full
time member. Glaswegian born Irving made up the hat trick of Scottish members to serve the Earth Band. Once again, an experienced player. On a personal note, he is a very pleasant man, who like Steve Waller,
was always very kind and hospitable towards me. he had played with The Dream Police (pre Average White Band), Longdancer (with Dave Stewart), and with Dave Flett in glam rockers Zaine Griff. The group
disbanded in 1979 when Dave received the prestigious honour to tour Japan with Thin Lizzy, and can be heard on their Life album. With this revamped new line-up intact, Manfred expanded the group by adding
acclaimed vocalist, New Zealand born Shona Laing, who had a wonderful voice (and later made quite a name
for herself). The new line ups debut single, entitled 'I (Who Have Nothing)', was very interesting, and in my opinion, rates as one of their most
underrated releases of all. Strange that it hasn't appeared on any compilation albums (written 1997 Ed). Shona's talents have at long last been
In 1982 MMEB released a cover version of Bob Marley's haunting 'Redemption Song', this greatly inspired Manfred to compose a concept album about
his native homeland of South Africa and his distaste for apartheid. Upon hearing 'Somewhere in Afrika', for the first time, I really wasn't quite sure
what to make of it ll, it was such a departure from anything he had previously done. However, when I saw the live shows, the three warm ups in
Cardiff, Guildford and Crawley, I began to feel very differently about the Afrika album and began to listen to it more closely and appreciated it a whole
lot more as a brave and heartfelt album. I think that in years to come it could well be acknowledged as one of Manfred's masterpieces.
Between 1981-83 the Earth Band were keeping a low profile, concentrating on new studio material. As an option, I was regularly going to the
Golden Lion Pub, Fulham to see Chris Thompson and The Islands performing ;Lies', 'Blinded' and 'Davy'. They were a very good tight unit. The group
eventually disbanded in 1983 when guitarist Robbie McIntosh accepted an invitation to join The Pretenders, and later recorded and toured with Paul
McCartney as did the former Islands keyboard player Wix. Incidentally, McIntosh played on the Chance album, and guested with the band in Europe. More recently McIntosh has permed a very promising solo career. To coincide with the release of the Afrika album, with Chris Thompson back on board once again, MMEB
undertook an extensive three sold out dates in Budapest, playing to an overall sixty thousand ecstatic fans. The highlights of these were televised through somewhat disjointedly in November 1983.
If one obstacle was providing real havoc on tour it was Steve Waller's excessive drinking. The final shows of the Somewhere in Europe tour were once again held at the Dominion Theatre in April 1983. On the final night,
Steve was so plastered he could barely stand. Manfred was so furious with him (despite umpteen warnings), that this time around it was the final straw and Waller was out! Alas, for good this time.
Matt Irving was not terribly happy during his stay and promptly quit. Since that time, Matt has actively performed and recorded with Paul Young and has guested with Lords Of The New Church, Squeeze, Chris
Rea and ex Pink Floyd mainman Roger Waters. Steve Waller returned to the South London pub circuit I a variety of bands eventually being offered an
opportunity to join Whitesnake, which unbelievably he declined. Over the past couple of years Steve has been musically inactive, and is rumoured to be living in Stroud, Gloucestershire, (one of life's great geezers, Steve
mate, I really mean that). (Sadly Steve Waller passed away in 2000, a tribute to him can be found with his If there was ever an album which disappointed me in MMEB's illustrious career, then the eagerly awaited live
album 'Budapest' must surely be the chosen one (thank goodness Mann Alive is nothing like it).
I found it to be an inferior representation of the live shows and found the scissor and paste overdubs, fades and edits to be annoying. In fact I
would quite honestly say that Budapest may be eventually written into our rock history books as one of the most unlive albums of all time! (Eat your hearts out Humble Pie, Grand Funk Railroad and Deep Purple.)
With Waller and Irving now departed the coast was clear for the welcome return of our old friend Mick Rogers. Mick had been in the musical
wilderness for several years. His band, Aviator with future MMEB drummer and ex-Jethro Tull skins man Clive Bunker, had commercially failed and
disbanded, following the release of a pair of worthwhile albums for EMI's Harvest label. Mick eventually replaced Tom McGuiness in The Dave Keely
Band and appeared not terribly happy about his new employment. Strangely enough, Mick was the only member I had not spoken to in the old days.
When I re-introduced myself at the Marquee club at a DKB gig, he appeared to be chuffed to bits that someone had remembered him so well, bought
me a drink and promptly gave me his telephone number (which I'm sure he has regretted ever since). No sooner had Mick rejoined his former
colleagues than the re-vamped line ups first single 'Runner' targeted the commercial AOR market. It was hugely popular, particularly as it coincided
with the 1984 Olympics so fittingly and deservedly went on to become MMEB's biggest hit since 'Davy's On The Road Again', reaching number 20 on the American charts. Things were indeed looking on the up and up! 
The two warm up dates were at Bracknell and Hatfield, with two end of tour shows at The Dominion Theatre
in London in February 1981. These were amongst the very best I had ever seen. I was in the front row both nights (going crazy as usual). The audience was great, everybody seemed to be really enjoying the music
and the atmosphere. It was great to have Thompson and Waller back in the touring band. In the meantime, Chris Thompson had considerable solo success under his own belt with his sideline band, Night, scoring two
American Top 20 hits with 'Hot Summer Nights' and 'If You Remember Me', the theme from The Champ.
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