Manfred Mann’s Earth Band came together in 1971 after Mann had grown disillusioned with his original outfit.
A year later they signed a recording deal with Polydor and scored a Top Ten hit with the single Joybringer (August 1973) – an adaptation from Holst’s Planet Suite.
Towards the end of 1974 another album, The Good Earth, was released. Around the same time, Manfred was offered a post lecturing students of music at South London’s Goldsmith’s College. He accepted while still continuing with the Earth Band.
In 1976 – after changing record companies and signing with Bronze – the band enjoyed further international success with a cover of Bruce Springsteen‘s Blinded By The Light and again in 1978 with Davy’s On The Road Again.
Manfred Mann
Keyboards, vocals
Mick Rogers
Guitar, vocals
Colin Pattenden
Bass
Chris Slade
Drums