MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND: JUNE 1974

Manfred Mann

Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Winterland, San Francisco, California
June 1, 1974

Photos by David Miller

 Mick Rogers

Editor's Note: Photos and memories of an earlier performance by Manfred Mann's Earth Band at Winterland can be seen here.

David: I saw Manfred Mann's Earth Band perform twice at Winterland. The first time was February 10, 1974. They were second on a bill under Uriah Heep. The next time was only four months later, on June 1, when Kiss opened the show. Manfred Mann's Earth Band was, again, second to appear, and Savoy Brown topped the bill.

Colin Pattenden, Mick Rogers

In those days it was not unusual to see a rock band more than once within several years. I saw Peter Frampton and Robin Trower three times each, and many others twice. The performances tended to be very much the same, from show to show. The only difference being new songs that were introduced to promote a new album. Occasionally, a member or two had left and had been replaced with new blood, but most bands had a certain look and sound and stayed with it.

Manfred Mann's Earth Band was no exception to the rule. They seemed to be wearing the same outfits in both of the shows that I saw. Mick Rogers had his sharp white suit. Chris Slade was in the same Asian outfit with head band. Colin Pattenden wore the same flowery tunic. Manfred Mann had the same steel mesh vest and short-sleeved shirt. I couldn't help but think about the logistics of them having their clothes cleaned and pressed in time for the next show. Maybe they rotated their outfits and we just happened to catch the same ones twice.

I enjoyed their albums and thought the band was tremendous live. They had obviously polished their act. I probably considered not photographing them a second time, but I think I wanted to try and get better shots. It was always a bit of a crap shoot taking pictures at concerts. There were always obstacles, like bulky stage monitors, or a singer who never pulls his face away from a microphone or sits behind a piano. Some musicians never stand still for a second, and sometimes the lighting seemed to be designed more for a funeral than a rock concert.

Then there were the great concerts, where the band was well lit and stood in one place, close to the edge of the stage. I would feel like Cecil B. DeMille, framing a shot of my lead actor. The photos I took the second time I saw Manfred Mann's Earth Band are among my favorites. One particular shot of Mick Rogers, eyes closed, leaning forward with a leans flare off the back light, is iconic.

Chris Slade

More about Manfred Mann's Earth Band at David's Rock Scrapbook

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