- Noel McCalla
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Noel McCalla (born 4 November 1956 in London, England)[1] is a British rock singer. He was the lead vocalist for the rock group Manfred Mann's Earth Band from 1991 until September 2009, when his mutually accepted departure was announced. He was replaced as the band's vocalist by Peter Cox, best known for his work as lead singer of Go West (band).
Contents
Early life
McCalla was born on 4th November 1956, to Hubert Sylvester McCalla, a minister in a gospel church, and Elizabeth Victoria McCalla, in North London, England. There were eight children in the family. He attended Alexandra Park infant school in London, but was withdrawn at the age of nine, as the family moved to Coventry, where he attended Hillfarm Junior School and began studies at Barkers Butts Secondary School,
Musical career
At 15, McCalla dropped out of school to work with a band called Black and White Notes. They gigged and eventually supported The Shadows. He then joined Moon, who were signed to Epic Records. After splitting from the band, he stayed with Epic Records, releasing a solo album. In 1972, McCalla left his family in Coventry to move to London.
From 1977, he worked as a backing vocalist for Sniff 'n' the Tears. During this time, he worked as a freelance musician. By 1981, he had decided to form his own band, which he had named Contact. They played a series of gigs, producing a cassette. In 1993, the band's name changed to McCalla, and they released “Push and Pull”, followed by “Hot From The Smoke" in 1995.
Manfred Mann
McCalla first became involved with Manfred Mann's Earth Band in 1990, featuring on the Plains Music album, and thereafter toured extensively with them, also featuring on the studio albums Soft Vengeance and 2006, and the live album Mann Alive. He sang on Mike Rutherford's solo album Smallcreep's Day and on Morrissey-Mullen's 1985 This Must Be the Place.
From mid 2006, he collaborated with jazz band Dave Lewis 1Up.
X-Factor
His fifteen-year-old son Mali Michael-McCalla competed for a place in the fifth series of the UK talent competition X-Factor in 2008, but did not progress to the Live Final stages. Mali auditioned for the 2009 series, but did not get past the 'bootcamp' stage.
References
Manfred Mann's Earth Band Manfred Mann • Mick Rodgers • Noel McCalla • Jimmy Copley • Steve Kinch
Chris Thompson • Steve Waller • Chris Slade • Colin Pattenden • Pat King • John Lingwood • Clive Bunker • Dave Flett • Matt Irving • Shona Laing • Richard Marcangelo • Geoff Britton • John Trotter • Geoff Dunn • Pete MayStudio albums Live albums Compilations The Best of Manfred Mann's Earth Band Re-Mastered • The Best of Manfred Mann's Earth Band Re-Mastered Volume II • Odds & Sods - Mis-takes & Out-takesSongs Related articles 
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