McGuinness Flint

After Manfred Mann had imploded in 1969 the group's latter-day guitarist Tom McGuinness joined up with Hughie Flint who had played with many of the big names on the UK blues scene. Both were heavily influenced by The Band's music and their album 'Music From The Big Pink'. Completing their concept was Dennis Coulson on vocals, Paul Rutherford joined on trombone whilst Colosseum bassist Tony Reeves recommended two songwriters: Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle. Signed to Capitol Records as McGUINNESS FLINT the band recorded their first album, lost their trombonist but spawned the hit single 'When I'm Dead And Gone' which when released in 1971 only just missed the No.1 slot. The second album 'Happy Birthday Ruthy Baby' failed to produce another hit single and the band had problems reproducing their intricate sound in a live situation. In 1971 Gallagher & Lyle left the band to pursue a successful solo partnership, whilst McGuinness Flint started to flounder although bolstered by their next advance from Capitol. During this period the line-up included ex-Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band's Neil Innes. Dropped by Capitol, the band were enticed back by Gerry Bron who had managed the Manfreds in the years before their demise. They recorded two albums for Bron's label, Bronze, 'C'est La Vie' and 'Rainbow' and in spite of recapturing their former sound (with new members Jim Evans on guitar and Lou Stonebridge, ex Palladin, on keyboards and vocals) they finally called it a day in 1975 after Hughie Flint suffered a collapsed lung and it was clear he would be convalescing for some time.