The Manfreds King’s Hall, Ilkley

Last Thursday saw The Manfreds on stage at the King’s Hall, Ilkley. This is the second time Ilkley promoters Wicked Lady Promotions has hosted the band in Ilkley, and the late Ilkley promoter Brian Bailey had the band perform here a couple of times.

The Manfreds are always a class act, but by common consent, exemplified by the standing ovation at the end of a generous 20 minute encore, this was their best performance yet at the Ilkley venue.

Manfreds classics a-plenty, of course (5-4-3-2-1, Pretty Flamingo, et al), combined with new work and old catalogue items not usually heard to provide the raw material for a superb exhibition of musicianship and, dare one say it, showmanship, to give the near full house a reminder of just what makes the band so popular on their tours.

Manfred Mann from whom the Manfreds evolved was formed in 1962 when the pop scene was starting its dramatic shift eastwards across the Atlantic. Several members of the band were there back then, and it says so much for them that their voices and musicianship are at least as good, and probably better, than 50-odd years ago.

Bass guitarist Marcus Cliffe told Wicked Lady Promotions managing director Anne Hawkesworth that he always enjoyed the date in Ilkley.

Born in Leeds, Marcus spent many childhood summer days in the town and surrounding moors as his uncle worked for the then owners of Hebers Mount.

This time he had an additional treat when one of his former teachers addressed him “Marcus, do you remember me?” He did, of course.

John Buck