Manfred Mann’s Earth Band was formed in 1971 with the ambition of being an uncompromising, music-centered band, yet with a more accessible sound than much of the progressive rock of the time. It’s safe to say they succeeded in this, both musically and commercially. In recent years, the band has performed at most of Norway’s major concert venues, drawing sold-out crowds and receiving an enthusiastic response from audiences.
The band’s big breakthrough came with the Bruce Springsteen song “Blinded by the Light,” from the album *The Roaring Silence* (1976). “Davy’s on the Road Again,” from the follow-up album *Watch* (1978), also became a major hit. The album *Watch* spent a full 30 weeks on the Norwegian charts.
Manfred Mann first made a name for himself with the hit “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” as early as 1964. In the years that followed, several major hits followed, including “Pretty Flamingo,” “Mighty Quinn,” and “Ha Ha Said The Clown”—pure pop music that made him a household name. It was therefore by no means a given that he would achieve new success when he formed the more progressive Manfred Mann’s Earth Band.
MMEB is among the bands that have uncompromisingly stayed true to their musical style while maintaining a high standard of quality for more than five decades. The result is a vibrant and energetic band that, 54 years after its inception, continues to tour the world and perform its classics with the same passion and energy that have always defined them.
