Manfreds to a man

One of the most popular groups of the 1960s, The Manfreds, are on stage at Shrewsbury Theatre Severn on May 26.

Not only memorable because of the superb run of hits such as Do-Wah-Diddy-Diddy, 5-4-3-2-1, Pretty Flamingo, Ha! Ha! Said the Clown, Mighty Quinn, and Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James, The Manfreds, under their original name Manfred Mann, were only the third band (after The Beatles and The Animals) to reach number one in the USA.

The band originally split in 1969 but 25 years later reformed - although without their founder Manfred Mann.

How many bands, with their roots in the 60s can boast having two chart topping lead singers – Paul Jones and Mike D'Abo as well as other pop legends such as the McGuinness Flint and family?

It is Paul Jones, joined by Mike Hugg (keyboards), Tom McGuinness (lead guitar), Rob Townsend (drums), Marcus Cliffe (bass) and Simon Currie (saxophone), who will be on stage at Theatre Severn and they will be performing many of their hits along with a mix of jazz and blues songs from some of their best-known albums.

Jan Edmondson from Theatre Severn said: "The Manfreds' gigs are always a quirky mix of the pop music for which they are famed as well as the jazz and rhythm and blues that their music is rooted in. This evening will be no different, we hope audiences will join us for a superb evening of music played by a group of fantastic musicians."

The Manfreds are on stage in The Auditorium at Theatre Severn on Tuesday May 26th at 7.30pm and tickets, priced Adults £18, Concessions £16.50, can be booked either from the Box Office at Theatre Severn (01743 281281), or online at www.theatresevern.co.uk.