The Manfred’s to play at The Apex next month

The Manfreds (pictured above) who had major hits with a series of iconic songs including “Mighty Quinn”, “Pretty Flamingo”, “Do Wah Diddy Diddy”, “Handbags and Gladrags”, “Ha Ha Said The Clown” and “Semi-Detached Suburban Mr” James” are set to appear at The Apex, next month.

Many of the band’s hits were R&B based with an undercurrent of jazz – a very unusual but winning combination of playing style and substance. As a result, their records have a timeless quality and, almost 60 years on, The Manfreds, with original front man, Paul Jones, will be performing many of their hits.

Jones, with his unique harmonica sound, will be joined by Tom McGuinness on guitar, Rob Townsend on drums, Mike Gorman on keyboards, Marcus Cliffe on bass, and Simon Currie on saxophone/flute.

Jones, has been on the road for over 50 years, firstly with Manfred Mann, then as a solo act, then in musical theatre and now as a Manfred. He also tours with The Blues Band with Tom McGuinness and as a duo with fellow Blues Band-mate Dave Kelly.

He said there is no secret to keeping his voice in prime condition, considering his hectic schedule and added: “Well, I warm up before a show as one is supposed to, and I’ve got exercises that I do. To be honest though, I only started to do that in the late 70’s when I went to a vocal teacher.

“Back in the early days I sometimes misused my voice, and if that happened, I just screeched my way through a show. There were so many girls screaming that nobody noticed.

“But when I went into musical theatre I realised that there was nowhere to hide, so I started seeing this vocal teacher which lasted through to the late 80’s, and I’m very grateful to that teacher.

“I also started going to a dance teacher, but he didn’t have the same success with me.”

Even with the band’s vast catalogue of hits, he can still pick out a few favourites.

“Because I wrote them, ‘5 4 3 2 1’ and ‘The One In The Middle’. I’m very fond of those, but also ‘Smokestack Lightnin’’, because it’s the Blues and right up my street.”

The Manfreds will be at The Apex, in Bury St Edmunds, on Thursday, March 16, at 7.30pm. See www.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000 for more information or to book tickets.