MANDALABAND

Very sad news to hear that Mellotron maestro Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues died yesterday (24 April). Here are a few photos I took of Mike when I worked with the Moodies in the early 1970s as their personal photographer. Mike even asked me to be the photographer at his first wedding. A lovely, thoughtful man who wrote and sang deep, soulful songs. Three of the original Moodies are no longer with us (Ray, Graham and now Mike), with just Justin and John left. An amazing part of my early career in music is gradually passing away. This band was a major influence in my decision to become a recording engineer (and later record producer). Much love and respect to those who blessed my life and are sadly no longer with us.

Thought you might appreciate this fab image from one of Ed Unitsky's Mandalaband videos. Such a brilliant artist and a well deserved member of the last Mandalaband incarnation.

A review of the new Mandalaband re-release of the 1970s albums on vinyl and CD, which you might find interesting.

https://echoesanddust.com/2024/02/mandalaband-legacy-the-story-of-mandalaband-1975-1978/?fbclid=IwAR3JiyFCA-aCYdTRt5UwVjOrKo0u30bKBFGs8SvGUoFMCdY_O6XhuHvSvLc

Okay, now don't be scared of the picture. This morning I was rummaging around in my old archive hard-drives looking for photos from the Eastern Desert Survey for a lecture I am giving on the Lake Nasser Cruise part of the February Study Tour. Then I came across this somewhat sinister (perhaps, more kindly, 'rather serious') photo of a 17-year-old me. I'm not easily embarrassed, but this comes pretty close. Oh, the fallacies of youth! Trying to look cool in the hippie days of my first band and its adventures in London. Armed with a demo disc and my Mini-Moke daubed in colouful hieroglyphs, we drove straight into the Abbey Road carpark in search of a Beatle to sign us up to Apple Records. The grey over-coated commissionaire, guarding the door was taken aback by our sudden appearance in our splendid chariot (somewhat enhanced by the screaming girls beyond the railings). The old chap must have thought we were the Rolling Stones (or some other famous 1960s pop group) and politely waved us into the sacred sanctuary. Amazing what the bravado of youth can achieve if you have no common sense! Heading for Studio Two, past a 'look-at-me' Cliff Richard prancing down the corridor in his red plimsoles, we were about to push open the double doors, beyond which were our musical heroes. But those doors suddenly opened from inside and the giant figure of Mal Evans – the long-time Beatles roadie since the Cavern days – towered over us. 'What are you doing here?', he grunted. ... ... Okay, sadly it's time to get back to the task of preparing my lectures for the Egypt Study Tour ... I may get around to telling you what happened next ... one day! :-)

In memory of a great musician and friend.

Big news!

MANDALABAND Melodies To Shine Afresh It's rare, if not unique, to encounter an ensemble whose oeuvre is steeped in mythology to be led by a genuine historian, yet MANDALABAND are such an entity whose very existence has a