The Mindbenders (originally called Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders) was a 1960s British Invasion beat group, hailing from Manchester.

Contents 1 Career 1.1 Wayne Fontana 2 Band Personnel 3 Discography 3.1 Albums 3.2 Singles 3.2.1 Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders 3.2.2 Mindbenders 3.2.3 Wayne Fontana 4 References 5 External links

Career

Wayne Fontana founded the band with Bob Lang, Ric Rothwell, and Eric Stewart in 1963. The name of the group was inspired by the title of a 1963 film, starring the British actor Sir Dirk Bogarde, called The Mind Benders. They released a few unsuccessful singles before recording "Um Um Um Um Um Um" in 1964, which was a major hit in Britain and led to a tour with Brenda Lee. They also had a number one hit in the United States with "The Game of Love."

After a tour of America and some more unsuccessful singles, Fontana abruptly left the band in the middle of a concert in 1965. Guitarist Eric Stewart suddenly became the lead singer of the band, which immediately dropped "Wayne Fontana" from its name.

The Mindbenders' first single without Fontana was the hit "Groovy Kind of Love" (a Carole Bayer Sager / Toni Wine composition). The song reached number two in the U.S., and was successfully revived by Phil Collins in the 1980s. The album of the same name, however, was a failure, as were their other singles and later albums. Although they appeared in the Sidney Poitier movie To Sir, with Love, the band broke up in 1968.

Eric Stewart went on to form Hotlegs and, much more significantly the band 10cc, with hit songwriter Graham Gouldman.

Bob Lang later joined another rock music outfit, called Racing Cars. They had one hit single, "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" which reached Number 14 in the UK chart in 1977, before seemingly disappearing forever, thus condemning them to the unwanted one hit wonder tag.

Wayne Fontana

Wayne Fontana (born Glyn Geoffrey Ellis, 28 October 1945, in Manchester Lancashire), was still under contract to Fontana Records after leaving The Mindbenders, soldiered on alone using musicians under the name of the Opposition. Notably, Frank Renshaw,(now in the Canary Islands) Bernie Burns (drums), Roy (Rossi)Henshall,(Bass,also Canary Islands) Rod Gerrard (guitar,Ex Hermits/ in America) and Phil Keane (drums) amongst others. Sometimes billed as the Mindbenders or just Wayne Fontana band. His most successful solo single release was also his last "Pamela, Pamela", which reached Number 11 in the UK Singles Chart early in 1967. In 2005 he fought off bankruptcy, but was arrested after police were called in by bailiffs who went to his home in Glossop, Derbyshire. It is claimed that petrol was poured on to the bonnet of a car, and set alight with a bailiff inside.. Fontana was remanded in custody on 25th May 2007 in regard to the charge. He appeared at Derby Crown Court dressed as the lady of justice, with a sword, scales, crown, cape and dark glasses, claiming . "justice is blind".

Band Personnel

• Wayne Fontana - Original Lead Vocalist - (born Glyn Geoffrey Ellis, 28 October 1945, in Manchester Lancashire)
• Bob Lang - Bassist - (born Robert Lang, 10 January 1946, in Manchester).
• Eric Stewart - Guitarist / Later Lead Vocalist - (born Eric Michael Stewart, 20 January 1945, in Droylsden, Manchester).
• Ric Rothwell - Drummer - (born Eric Rothwell, 11 March 1944, in Stockport, Lancashire).

Discography

Albums

• 1964 It's Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders
• 1965 The Game of Love
• 1966 Erik, Rick, Wayne, Bob
• 1966 The Mindbenders
• 1966 A Groovy Kind of Love
• 1967 With Woman in Mind

Singles

Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders

• "Hello Josephine" - 1963 - UK #46
• "Stop Look and Listen" - 1964 - UK #37
• "Um Um Um Um Um Um" - 1964 - UK #5
• "Game Of Love" - 1965 - UK #2, U.S. #1
• "Just A Little Bit Too Late" - 1965 - UK #20, U.S. #45
• "She Needs Love" - 1965 - UK #32

Mindbenders

• "A Groovy Kind of Love" - 1966 - UK #2, U.S. #2
• "Can't Live With You (Can't Live Without You)" - 1966 - UK #28
• "Ashes to Ashes" - 1966 - UK #14, U.S. #44
• "The Letter" - 1967 - UK #42

Wayne Fontana

• "It Was Easier to Hurt Her" - 1965 - UK #36
• "Come on Home" - 1966 - UK #16
• "Goodbye Bluebird" - 1966 - UK #49
• "Pamela Pamela" - 1966 - UK #11

References

• Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X
• Guinness Book of British Hit Albums - 7th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-619-7

1. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/tm_headline=60s-star-on-arson-charge-%26method=full%26objectid=18573570%26siteid=62484-name_page.html

External links

• Mindbenders Biography
• The Mindbenders biography page at the AMG website