Recollections from Australia

In early 1971, I read of a forthcoming tour by Deep Purple, Free and Manfred Mann Chapter Three. Wow, aged 19 and having missed the 1965 Manfred Mann tour of Australia as my parents felt that I was too young at 13 to be travelling alone to see the concert, although I saw the group performing 4-5 songs on television which was great, but after 7 years as a Mann fan I was not going to miss this time around.

There was a definite uncertainty concerning the line up of Chapter Three. They would not be a ten piece, possibly a four piece, perhaps with Mike Hugg and rumours of ex-Processions singer and guitarist Mick Rogers being included. This was a possibility as Mick had explained, when Procession split, that he would return to England where he "may do something with Manfred Mann." Some weeks later the large Chapter Three unit had been reduced to four with Manfred and Mick the only confirmed members.

Tickets were purchased for the May (from memory) concert and a group of friends headed for Festival Hall in West Melbourne. It was well known for boxing and wrestling matches but was the only venue for most visiting acts and seated about 6,000 people.

Australian progressive group Spectrum opened the show. Their singer and guitarist Mike Rudd penned 'I'll Be Gone' and 'Launching Place', a big hit here and later recorded by earth Band. Spectrum started at 8.00 p.m. and this show would eventually finish at 1.30 a.m. They were quite popular at the time and well received, however I found their songs and Rudd's vocals a little tedious.

Free hit the stage next and played a very entertaining set. Considering we only knew 'All Right Now', the crowd were pleased with their stage presence, particularly Paul Rodgers. Our only criticism was that sometimes their playing was a bit loose. Above the stage Manfred and someone in a denim outfit and cowboy hat watched Free's performance. Was it Mike Hugg? We were still unaware of the Chapter Three line up. The denim clad musician turned out to be Roger Glover from Deep Purple.

Whilst roadies set up for the next act, Manfred walked on and tested his new mini Moog synthesiser. Woorooroohh (my best description) it went and the crowd really took notice. What was this spacey sound. I don't think the world had heard this mini Moog yet. A little more testing, calling on Billy McArtney, sound man and brother of one of my schoolmates, then Mick, Chris Slade and Colin Pattenden were on.

A very tight and wonderful sound emanated from the foursome, this was definitely a vastly different group to Chapter Three and I felt that Manfred had reached Chapter Four in his career. Tracks I remember include 'Virginia' which was given a typically Earth band style revamp and a highlight of the show, 'Dealer' from "As Is" was far heavier and longer than its 1966 showing and 'Captain Bobby Stout' a new song which was given a thorough workout and sounded great.

Halfway through the set Manfred shed his yellow jacket revealing just a black T shirt and black trousers. My mind flashed to his sixties outfits, the beard was no longer pencil thin and his hair a bit longer, but there he was, mobile as ever, new sound, new group and great. Mick mentioned that it was their third live gig. I was witnessing Manfred Mann's Earth Band's birth, although still billed as Chapter Three. I don't remember all the songs played, maybe 'Jump Sturdy' and the encore that is entrenched with the fans, the virtually re-written 'Mighty Quinn'. They left the stage to loud applause, the audience were satisfied and amazed.

Deep Purple who were huge in Australia at the time, commenced a marathon set which was technically brilliant but very indulgent. Every song went on for at least 20 minutes, a solid half hour drum solo which left Ian Paice the only member on stage and the crowd wishing the other members would return.

They did return to perform more marathon songs. People were becoming restless and started leaving near 1.00 a.m. Deep Purple were good but they punished us with their extended workouts. At 1.30 a.m. it was all over and as we filed out of the Festival Hall people were consistently claiming that Manfred Mann were fantastic and the best act on the night. "Better than Purple", a Deep Purple fan told me. Over the PA system came the unexpected news that on Sunday, which was only two nights away, Deep Purple and Manfred Mann Chapter Three would return to play and then jam together. "Come Along".

We returned early on Sunday evening to ensure obtaining good seats as they were issued on a first come first served basis. Word had spread quickly and a fairly large crowd were already there. I was pleased to hear repeatedly over the loudspeakers outside the hall "Manfred Mann Chapter Three and Deep Purple tonight". They had top billing and deserved it.

Top billing had its price, would we have to sit through a Deep Purple marathon first? No, they reduced their songs to album length and were much more enjoyable. The possibility of a jam between two class acts was something to look forward to. Manfred and the boys repeated their previous performance with all members casually dressed in denim jackets and jeans. They finished the set and the lights went on.

The advertised jam never eventuated, which was a little disappointing, but once again the audience were thrilled by the fledgling Earth Band personnel's performance. Such was their impact that in 1972 the then named Manfred Mann's Earth Band headlined their own tour.

Hope you have enjoyed my recollections as much as I did writing about them.

Mick Maloney

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