Mike d'Abo
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Mike d'Abo | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Michael David d'Abo |
Born | Betchworth, Surrey, England | 1 March 1944
Genres | Rock, pop, folk |
Occupations | Singer-songwriter, musician |
Instruments | Vocals, piano, guitar |
Years active | 1960s–present |
Website | Official website |
Michael David d'Abo (born 1 March 1944) is an English singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of
Early years
D'Abo was born in
A Band of Angels
His musical career began while he was still at
Manfred Mann
In July 1966, after leaving A Band of Angels, D’Abo joined Manfred Mann, an established chart-topping group, as a replacement for lead singer Paul Jones, who was leaving to start a solo career.[2] Comparisons between d'Abo and Jones (whom d'Abo physically resembled) became a media preoccupation at the time of the switch, but d'Abo wasted little time dwelling upon it. "I enjoy being with the group," he told Pete Goodman. "We really do have an enormously wide range of musical tastes among us."
D'Abo's first big hit with Manfred Mann was "Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James".[2] It was nearly recorded with "Mr Jones" in the title before it occurred to the group that it might be interpreted as a reference to Paul Jones. D'Abo then helped record Manfred Mann's As Is album (with the attaching single of the Bob Dylan-penned "Just Like a Woman"). All of the UK Fontana and US Mercury releases featured d'Abo.[citation needed]
He composed and produced
After Manfred Mann
In 1968, he and Tony Macaulay co-wrote "Build Me Up Buttercup",[2] which was recorded by The Foundations and sold over four million copies by April 1969, including one million discs in the United States.[4][5]
In December 1968, d'Abo played the lead in Gulliver Travels (subtly, not Gulliver's Travels) at the Mermaid Theatre, Blackfriars, London and he also portrayed Herod on the original recording of Jesus Christ Superstar. He had a short role on the original recording of Evita. He also wrote "Loving Cup" for The Fortunes and "Mary, Won't You Warm My Bed" for Colin Blunstone.[6] In 1970, he composed and performed the music for the Peter Sellers film There's a Girl in My Soup, and played John Lennon in No One was Saved at the Royal Court Theatre Schools scheme. D'Abo also worked with Mike Smith, the former keyboard player of the Dave Clark Five.[2] In 1976, they released an album on the CBS (UK) label, Smith & d'Abo.[7]
Radio
In 1997, d'Abo presented a programme on
During the 1990s, he also presented "Late Night West", a popular weeknightly programme on west-of-England local radio for five nights a week, that included music, competitions, and a listener phone-in. In the late 1990s, he contributed to The Mike d'Abo Story, a documentary written by Geoff Leonard, narrated and produced by Phil Vowels, and broadcast on BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
He also presented a number of programmes on BBC Radio 2 in 1986 and 1987.[9]
Family
D'abo has been married three times. His first marriage was to model Maggie London in 1967. They had two children: Ben d'Abo (born 1967) and Olivia d'Abo (born 1969). His second wife was Karen and they had one son, Bruno d'Abo. His third marriage was to Lisa Weaver in 1996, which produced twins Ella and Louis in July 2007. He is a first cousin of actress Maryam d'Abo. His sister Carol is widow of the late Conservative MP and minister Sir Nicholas Baker.[10]
Discography
Year | Album | Label |
---|---|---|
1970 | Jesus Christ Superstar | Decca/MCA/Decca Broadway |
1970 | d'Abo | UNI |
1972 | Down at Rachel's Place | A&M |
1974 | Broken Rainbows | A&M |
1987 | Indestructible | President |
1988 | Tomorrow's Troubador | President |
2001 | The Mike D'Abo Collection, Vol. 1: 1964–1970 – Handbags & Gladrags | RPM |
2003 | A Little Miss Understood: Mike d'Abo Collection, Vol. 2 | RPM |
2004 | Handbags and Gladrags: The Mike D'Abo Songbook | President |
2004 | Hidden Gems & Treasured Friends | Angel Air |
References
- ^ "Manfred Mann | full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
- ^ ISBN 0-7535-0149-X.
- ^ "Ancestors of Mike D'Abo, musician *1844". Brigittegastelancestry.com. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ "Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations: Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
- ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ "Colin Blunstone - One Year Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ "Smith & D'Abo". Amazon.com. 15 July 2003. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
- ^ "Geocities.com". Webcitation.org. Archived from the original on 20 October 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ "Search Results - BBC Genome". Genome.ch.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
- ^ M Patrick Cosgrave (28 April 1997). "Obituary: Sir Nicholas Baker – People – News". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2013.