The Mindbenders

The Mindbenders (originally Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders) was a 1960s British Invasion band founded by Wayne Fontana (born Glyn Ellis 28 October, 1945 in Manchester).

Related Topics:
1960s - British Invasion - Wayne Fontana - Glyn Ellis - 28 October - 1945 - Manchester

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fontana founded the band with Bob Lang, Rick Rothwell, and Eric Stewart in 1963. 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 "The Game of Love."

Related Topics:
Bob Lang - Rick Rothwell - Eric Stewart - 1963 - 1964 - Britain - Brenda Lee - United States

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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.

Related Topics:
1965 - Eric Stewart

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Mindbenders' first single without Fontana was the hit "A Groovy Kind of Love" (a Carole Bayer Sager / Toni Wine composition) which reached number one in the US, 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. Although they appeared in the Sidney Poitier movie To Sir, with Love, the band broke up in 1968. Eric Stewart went on to form the band 10cc with hit songwriter Graham Gouldman.

Related Topics:
Carole Bayer Sager - Toni Wine - Number one in the US - Phil Collins - Sidney Poitier - To Sir, with Love - 1968 - Eric Stewart - 10cc - Graham Gouldman

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~