FM
History
Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a British progressive rock group formed in 1971 by Manfred Mann, a South African born keyboard player best known as a founding member and namesake of 60s group Manfred Mann. After the demise of that older band, Mann went on to write advertising jingles. At the same time he continued to work in the group format. Initially he formed Manfred Mann Chapter Three, an experimental group that evolved into Manfred Mann's Earth Band.
The Earth Band was, from a pop perspective, almost deliberately contrary, but combined the stylistic approach of progressive rock with Mann's keen ear for melody. Mann's interest in English 20th century classical music saw him re-create Gustav Holst's Planets Suite, garnering an unlikely UK hit with a version of the "Jupiter" movement that had lyrics added and entitled "Joybringer". Their 1973 album The Good Earth tapped into ecological concerns, a recurring theme in Mann's music in later years, and had a free gift of a piece of land in Wales with each album sold.
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