Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders – NME Poll Winners Concert 1965 – April 11, 1965 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
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Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders, live at the 1965 NME Poll Winners and recorded on April 11, 1965. From the period of early 1964 to late 1965, the U.S. was flooded with bands from England, all taking their cue from The Beatles, who American fans could not get enough of, it made for the perfect storm to break every new band and artist who vaguely looked like or sounded anything like John, Paul, George or Ringo.
A lot of bands lasted a long time – some are still going strong. Others came and went in a flash and still others had one or two big hits, splintered off to other groups and, for the most part, greater fortunes. While some went back to day-to-day lives.
Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders really only had about two hits in the U.S. – Game of Love (which opens this set) and A Groovy Kind Of Love, their follow up in 1966. Between their first single and their follow up, their namesake Wayne Fontana left the band to pursue a solo career and The Mindbenders went on as a three piece. They did one tour of the U.S. in 1966, opening for James Brown and going over very well. Dissension within the band and a flagging popularity brought about an eventual demise, with co-founder Eric Stewart leaving to eventually form 10CC. Other alumnus included future 10CC co -founder Graham Gouldman and arranger part-time bassist John Paul Jones who would also go off and be a co-founder of Led Zeppelin.
This concert was a star-studded affair – in addition to Wayne Fontana, the bill also included Herman’s Hermits, Donovan, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Dusty Springfield, The Seekers, The Animals, The Kinks, Them and The Moody Blues along with several others.
Luckily it was preserved for posterity – hit the play button and dive into the hysteria for a couple minutes.
