From the Tiger Beat Archives, October 1966
Eric says he see he’s a devout Yogi and loves to stand on his head! Ric plays records and reads books about Indians! Bob is a big flirt and is always saying “Sorry ’bout that.” Together they are the Mind benders–groovy kind of guys!
It is becoming more and more apparent that Manchester is a pretty swingin’ city! It has bred such groups as Herman’s Hermits and the Hollies and now, the Mindbenders. And like the other members of groups from that Northern city, Eric, Rick and Bob have a great deal of charm and wit! So much, in fact that it’s most difficult to get them to answer any question seriously!
For example ask “How do you relax on tour?” And you’ll get unrelated answers from Eric like: “I was a brain surgeon, but I gave it up to join the group,” or “At home I write songs and blow the house up or watch the neighbor push my head through the window.”
Then it takes another ten minutes to find out that the reason a neighbor wishes to push Eric’s head through a window is that Eric loves to tinker with electronic gadgets and one day decided to set up all the bands equipment in his bedroom. The result? The neighbors were neatly blasted from their homes when the boys began to practice!
Despite their joke making and their playful antics for the photographer, the boys sincerely enjoyed talking about their career, and, since their “Groovy Kind of Love,” their success. But it was not always that way!
During the summer the Mindbenders made their third trip to the United States within 14 months–the first two as Wayne Fontana’s backup group. But a year ago, tensions were beginning to build within the group. The Mindbenders were doing a great amount of work and receiving very little credit.
Magazines are writing about “endless latest and greatest gift to pop singing–Wayne Fontana.” Reporters were interviewing Wayne, while the Mindbenders were lucky if they got mentioned in print.
Talented and creative people need recognition and the Mindbenders were not getting their fair share! The two factions became independently official in October 1965. As it turned out, the four boys remain friends though they all endeavored to make good separately.
Today, Eric, Bob and Ric are gaining the acknowledgment they have earned. Their name, chosen from the title of the science fiction horror film, has stuck and now they are bending more and more minds to the groovy sounds of their music. A closer look at each of them individually reveals:
ERIC STEWART, lead guitarist… Was born on January 20, 1945 in Manchester… Enjoys hi-fi sets, photography, songwriting, and cars… Says his favorite colors are black-and-white… Lives in a terraced house in Manchester and is currently looking for a new home.
Eric’s a fun-loving lad… He never misses the chance to put you on. He remembers… “The best Christmas present I ever got was a cowboy outfit, a cavalry outfit and an Indian outfit.”… He remembers very well, because he liked them all so well he put the whole lot on and proceeded to fall down the stairs… “I fell from the top to the bottom with all that gear on!”
He also has recollections of earlier trips to America, the first being… “American policemen. They are like cowboys, because they walk up and down the street like Wyatt Earp.”
BOB LANG, bass guitarist… Was born in Manchester on January 10, 1946… Left school to become a musician… Enjoys cars, cameras and hi-fi sets… Says his favorite colors are purple and blue.
Bob is always laughing or saying “Sorry ’bout that,” a saying that will probably change next week… He lives in a one level house with a fence around it. He loves to… Play a game like golf, which has shorter greens… Play records… And stay out all night.
Bob recalls his favorite Christmas present as… “A cowboy hat. I had asked Father Christmas for it and like you tie stockings to the fireplace, we tied pillowcases to the end of our beds. Well, on Christmas morning, the cowboy hat I asked for was in my brothers pillowcase, but I still got it.”
Bob’s the ladies’ man and the ladies aren’t complaining! He also admits he misses being away from home.
RIC ROTHWELL, drummer… Was born on March 11, 1944 in Stockport. He studied piano for nine years… Earned a diploma from the London College of Music.
He loves clothes… Particularly jackets, also cars… He has a white Cortina GT, and records. His favorite colors are blue and black
Ric is quietest one in the group… Noticeably only because the other two are so talkative. He loves sunbathing. He’s a mad fan of Indian books… “I found a 500 page novel in Scotland and ever since then I’ve been reading about the Indians.” He was very excited about getting to meet real ones when they did a concert in Arizona.
The girls go for Ric. One fan gave him a Mini car as a present. Another gift he liked was one at Christmas… “It was my first drum kit. I wanted one and asked for it, but I didn’t think Father Christmas would be able to get it down the chimney.”
There are no new adjectives to describe these three lovable lads as a group. One wishes there were. Take a look at the good-looking lot–you’ll think of some. And they’ll be good!
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