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THE STORY OF THE

BAND

Site Updated on 17th November 2002
by Terry Willson

And In The Beginning

Many Are Called But Few Stood Up

Being Good To Themselves

Rhinos, Wino's And A Winged Messenger

Connect and Disconnect

Back And Into The Future

Twanging, Calling but Still Rocking

" It's only three letters!" said Ray Williams when, in 1968, the band were trying to decide on a new name.

Only three letters - but it seems to have been a cast of thousands. During their time the band has seen 17 members go through it's ranks and during the 1970's they almost warranted a regular column in the music press to document the changes. Some have even done more than one stint, two have been stand in's when other circumstances prevailed and Phil Ryan came back to cover for Deke in 1996 and stayed. Only Micky Jones has stayed the course, Since reforming in 1983 permanent change has not been so common place but with the Manband - You Never Know, You Never Can Tell.

I have tried to put together a brief history - but it's not easy - so it's not that brief!!. It starts with their formation in 1968 and goes to the end of 2000. (update later in the year). I have concentrated on crucial dates, essential tours, excellent albums and important personnel. As I have tried to keep it brief, for a much more comprehensive look at the bands history and the individuals, please visit Julian Gough's Manband Archive. Many thanks to Deke Leonard's wonderful book Rhino's Wino's and Lunatics, The Manband Archive, Martyn Mycock's Mannerisms and The Welsh Connection Magazine for supplying the information here.

LETS START WITH A ROLL CALL

CURRENT MEMBERS

Micky Jones 1968-to date	Guitar & Vocals	Deke Leonard 1968-1969, 1969-1972, 1974 to date	Guitar, Piano & Vocals
Martin Ace 1969-1972, 1975, 1983 to date	Bass & Vocals	Bob Richards 1997 to date	Drums & Vocals
Phil Ryan 1972-1973, 1976, 1996 to date	Keyboards	Gareth Thorrington (stand in) 2000 to date	Keyboards

AND THOSE THAT HAVE SERVED BEFORE

Clive John 1968-1971, 1972	Keyboards, Guitar	Malcolm Morley 1974	Keyboards, Guitar
Jeff Jones 1968-1970	Drums	Ken Whaley 1974-1975	Bass
Ray Williams 1968-1970	Bass	John Cipollina 1975	Guitar
Terry Williams 1970-1976, 1987, 1996-1997	Drums	John McKenzie 1976	Bass
Will Youatt 1972-1973	Bass	John 'Pugwash' Weathers 1983-1996	Drums
Alan 'Tweke' Lewis 1973	Guitar	Rick Martinez (stand in) 1989-1991	Drums

And so to their story. It is many things - a story of a band and, for those who have been there, it has all the ingedients - the struggle, the success, the intrigue, the camaraderie, but it is never boring.
Each link covers a period in the bands history.