The Mindbenders

Infobox Musician
Name =The Mindbenders


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background =group_or_band
Alias =
Origin =Manchester, England
Instrument =
Voice_type =
Genre =Beat, Pop
Occupation =
Years_active =1962-1968
Label =
Associated_acts =Wayne Fontana
URL =
Current_members =Bob Lang
Eric Stewart
Ric Rothwell
Graham Gouldman
Grahame Foote
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

The Mindbenders (originally the backing group for Wayne Fontana) was a 1960s beat group from Manchester, England. They were part of the mid 1960s British Invasion with their chart-toppers "Game of Love" and "Groovy Kind of Love".

Career

Wayne Fontana founded the band in 1962 with Bob Lang, Ric Rothwell, and Eric Stewart in 1963. The group was later joined by Grahame Foote [ [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1210668673256&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull These Hermits are not in hiding | Music | Jerusalem Post ] ] . 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 "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. They appeared in the Sidney Poitier movie "To Sir, with Love" and also appear on the soundtrack with the songs "Off and Running" and "It's Getting Harder All the Time". 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 Singles Chart in 1977, before seemingly disappearing forever, thus condemning them to the unwanted one hit wonder tag.

In the 70's, Grahame Foote joined the nostalgia group, "Herman's Hermits starring Barry Whitwam".

Band Personnel

* Bob Lang - Bassist - (born Robert F Lang, 10 January 1946, Manchester, Lancashire).
*Eric Stewart - Guitarist / Later Lead Vocalist - (born Eric Michael Stewart, 20 January 1945, Droylsden, Lancashire).
*Ric Rothwell - Drummer - (born Eric Rothwell, 11 March 1944, Stockport, Cheshire).
*Graham Gouldman - (1968) (born Grahm Keith Gouldman, 10 May 1946, in Broughton, Salford, Lancashire).
*Graham Foote - Guitarist (born Manchester, Lancashire).
*Paul Hancox - Drummer (born 25 October 1950, in Birmingham, Warwickshire).

See also: Wayne Fontana

Discography

ingles

* "A Groovy Kind of Love" b/w "Love Is Good" - 1966 - UK #2, U.S. #2
* "Can't Live With You (Can't Live Without You)" b/w "One Fine Day" - 1966 - UK #28
* "Ashes to Ashes" b/w "You Don't Know About Love" - 1966 - UK #14, U.S. #44
*"I Want Her, She Wants Me" b/w "The Morning After" - 1967
*"It's Getting Harder All the Time" b/w "Off and Running" - 1967
* "The Letter" b/w "My New Day and Age" - 1967 - UK #42
*"School Girl" b/w "Round the Bend" - 1967
*"We'll Talk About It Tomorrow" b/w "Far Across Town" - 1967
*"To Sir, with Love" (Lulu) b/w "It's Getting Harder all the Time" - 1967
*"Blessed Are The Lonely" b/w "Yellow Brick Road" - 1968
*"Uncle Joe the Ice Cream Man" b/w "The Man Who Loved Trees" - 1968

See also: Wayne Fontana

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

External links

* [http://www.livedaily.com/artists/bio/30303.html Mindbenders Biography]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:5nj9kent7q7b The Mindbenders biography page] at Allmusic website