The Mindbenders: A Brief Introduction
The Mindbenders were a British pop rock group from the 1960s, known for their harmonious vocals and catchy tunes. They had a relatively short-lived career, producing music from 1963 to 1968. The band consisted of lead singer Wayne Fontana, rhythm guitarist Eric Stewart, bassist Bob Lang, and drummer Ric Rothwell.
While they may not be as well-known or celebrated as some of their contemporaries, such as The Beatles or The Rolling Stones, The Mindbenders still made a significant contribution to the British music scene of the 60s. In this article, we will take a closer look at the band and their legacy.
Wayne Fontana: Lead Singer
Wayne Fontana was the lead singer of The Mindbenders. Born on October 28, 1945, in Manchester, England, Fontana started his music career in the early 1960s. He joined The Mindbenders in 1963, and they achieved their first hit single, “Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um,” in 1964.
Fontana was known for his distinctive voice, which was particularly suited to the band’s harmony-heavy sound. He also had a natural stage presence and was known for his energetic performances. However, he left The Mindbenders in 1965 to pursue a solo career.
Age, Relationships, and Children
Wayne Fontana passed away on August 6, 2020, at the age of 74. He is survived by his long-term girlfriend, Gloria Collins, and his two children from a previous relationship, Justin and Danielle.
Career Highlights
While Fontana left The Mindbenders early in their career, he still achieved significant success as a solo artist. His most famous hit was “The Game of Love,” which reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA and number one in the UK charts.
Fontana’s solo career was relatively short-lived, however, and he struggled to replicate the success of “The Game of Love.” He continued to perform and record music throughout the rest of his life but remained best known for his work with The Mindbenders.
Eric Stewart: Rhythm Guitarist
Eric Stewart was the rhythm guitarist of The Mindbenders. Born on January 20, 1945, in Manchester, England, Stewart had a long and illustrious career in the music industry.
After leaving The Mindbenders in 1968, Stewart went on to form the band 10cc, which had a string of hit singles in the 1970s. Stewart served as the group’s primary songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist. Some of 10cc’s best-known songs include “I’m Not in Love” and “Dreadlock Holiday.”
Stewart also worked as a producer for other artists, including Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and The Police. He continued to work in the music industry until his retirement in 2019 due to hearing loss.
Bob Lang: Bassist
Bob Lang was the bassist of The Mindbenders. Born on November 10, 1944, in Manchester, England, Lang had a relatively short career in the music industry.
After leaving The Mindbenders in 1968, Lang briefly joined a band called the Homebrew. However, he left the band after only one album, and his subsequent musical career is unknown.
Ric Rothwell: Drummer
Ric Rothwell was the drummer of The Mindbenders. Born on December 11, 1943, in Manchester, England, Rothwell was known for his precise and skilled drumming.
After leaving The Mindbenders in 1968, Rothwell joined the progressive rock band Jameson’s Raid. He continued to work as a session drummer throughout the rest of his career and played on recordings by artists such as John Kongos and Mike Oldfield.
Top Songs
The Mindbenders had several hit songs during their career, including:
– “Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um” (1964)
– “A Groovy Kind of Love” (1965)
– “Ashes to Ashes” (1966)
– “It’s Getting Harder All the Time” (1967)
Of these, “A Groovy Kind of Love” is probably the band’s most well-known song. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA and number two in the UK charts.
Net Worths
It is difficult to estimate the net worths of the individual members of The Mindbenders, as they were relatively unknown compared to other bands of their era. However, it is likely that Eric Stewart, as the founder of 10cc and a successful producer, has the highest net worth of any former Mindbender.
Legacy
While The Mindbenders may not be as well-remembered as some of their contemporaries, they still made a significant contribution to the British music scene of the 1960s. Their vocal harmonies and catchy tunes were a hallmark of their sound and influenced many other bands that came after them.
In particular, Eric Stewart’s work with 10cc has been highly influential, and the band’s music continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by fans around the world. The Mindbenders may be gone, but their music lives on.
