Geoff Mann

Edward Geoffrey "Geoff" Mann (11 April 1956 - 5 February 1993) was a British artist, musician and theologian and a member of the band Twelfth Night.

As well as a singer and lyricist, Mann was also an artist and a priest. In 1974 he began his studies of fine art at the University of Reading and started collaborating as a roadie and backdrop painter for the band and finally joined them as a vocalist in August 1981 in the band’s appearance at Reading Festival. Mann recorded his first album "Smiling at Grief" with Twelfth Night in 1981. Another studio album "Fact and Fiction" followed in 1982, before his departure from the band to pursue a solo career in November 1983, which happened right after 2 sell out gigs at London’s Marquee club which were recorded for the "Live and Let Live" live album.

In 1984 Mann recorded his first solo album "Chants Would Be A Fine Thing", quickly followed by "I May Sing Grace". During this period, Mann was involved for a few months in the band The Earthlings, and a year later finally formed The Bond, which evolved into Eh! Geoff Mann Band.

Mann entered as a priest into The Church of England in 1987, and by 1989 he was ordained Deacon at Manchester Cathedral. During the late 1980’s he kept producing music and collaborating with artists such as Marc Catley. In 1990 he was ordained priest at Bolton Parish Church and started a new band project called Casino along with Clive Nolan (Pendragon, Arena, Shadowland) (Nolan's initial plan was a Twelfth Night reunion) which resulted in an acclaimed album in 1992 on SI Music.

In September 1992 plans for a follow-up were called off after he was diagnosed of Crohn's disease, which was later changed to a diagnose of cancer. Mann died on February 5th, 1993.

Discography

with 'Twelfth Night'
* Smiling at Grief (12/1981)
* Fact and Fiction (12/1982)
* Live and Let Live (2/1984)
* Collectors Item (3/1991) as 'Geoff Mann'
* Chants Would Be a Fine Thing (3/1984)
* I May Sing Grace (9/1984)
* Psalm Enchanted Evening (2/1986)
* Second Chants CD | SI Music | SIMPly 13 | 05/92 with 'The Bond'
* Won by One (7/1987)
* Prints of Peace (8/1988) as 'Marc Catley & Geoff Mann'
* In Difference (7/1988)
* The Off The End of the Pier Show (5/1991)

with 'A Geoff Mann Band'
* Loud Symbols (5/1990) with 'Eh! Geoff Mann Band'
* Ministry of the Interior (10/1991) with 'Casino'
* Casino (7/1992)