Fred Mandel
Encyclopedia
Fred Mandel is a keyboard
player and guitarist
.
Mandel became involved in music from an early age. He started playing the piano and age 4 and picked up the guitar aged 8. At the age of 11 his family moved to Toronto
where he became immersed in the local music scene being lucky enough to see many major sixties acts such as Jimi Hendrix
, The Who
and The Rolling Stones
play.
Mandel made his first appearance on record courtesy of Domenic Troiano
(whose band he was in at the time). Troiano was invited to record Alice Cooper
's first solo record and got Mandel to play keyboards on the record. This led to Alice Cooper inviting Mandel to join his band the Nightmare Band. Mandel did this for four years progressing from keyboards to lead guitar and finally ending up working as the musical director.
Following his stint with Alice Cooper
, Mandel was invited to play keyboards on the Pink Floyd
album The Wall
and this was followed up by some recordings with Cheap Trick
.
In the 1980s Mandel was asked to perform with Queen
on their 1982 tour supporting their album Hot Space
(the Hot Space Tour
). This led to Mandel striking a partnership with the band and saw him become involved with Brian May
on his 1983 mini album Star Fleet Project
, Queen on their 1984 album The Works
and on the Freddie Mercury
album Mr. Bad Guy
released in 1985.
Following this relationship Mandel went on tour with Supertramp
who were performing their last gigs with their original line up on a tour named the Final Cut
.
Later on Mandel had a was offered the chance play with his teen idol Elton John
, whom Mandel states as being "...to this day, one of the most bad-ass rock and roll piano players around!"
Mandel has remained involved in music and has again worked with Supertramp
and other in the studio as a session musician as well as continuing to play live and is currently working towards recording his own solo album.
Film:
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
player and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
.
Mandel became involved in music from an early age. He started playing the piano and age 4 and picked up the guitar aged 8. At the age of 11 his family moved to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
where he became immersed in the local music scene being lucky enough to see many major sixties acts such as Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
and The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
play.
Mandel made his first appearance on record courtesy of Domenic Troiano
Domenic Troiano
Domenic Troiano was a Canadian rock guitarist, most notable for his contributions to Mandala, The James Gang, The Guess Who and as a solo artist.-History:...
(whose band he was in at the time). Troiano was invited to record Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
's first solo record and got Mandel to play keyboards on the record. This led to Alice Cooper inviting Mandel to join his band the Nightmare Band. Mandel did this for four years progressing from keyboards to lead guitar and finally ending up working as the musical director.
Following his stint with Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, Mandel was invited to play keyboards on the Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
album The Wall
The Wall
The Wall is the eleventh studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd. Released as a double album on 30 November 1979, it was subsequently performed live with elaborate theatrical effects, and adapted into a feature film, Pink Floyd—The Wall.As with the band's previous three...
and this was followed up by some recordings with Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
.
In the 1980s Mandel was asked to perform with Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
on their 1982 tour supporting their album Hot Space
Hot Space
Hot Space is the tenth studio album by British rock band Queen, released in May 1982. Marking a notable shift in direction from their earlier work, Queen employed many elements of disco, pop music, R&B and dance music on Hot Space, being partially influenced by the success of their 1980 hit...
(the Hot Space Tour
Hot Space Tour
The Hot Space Tour was a concert tour by the English rock band Queen, supporting their 1982 album Hot Space. A DVD documenting the band's June 5, 1982 concert at the Milton Keynes Bowl outside London was released in 2004 as Queen on Fire - Live at the Bowl...
). This led to Mandel striking a partnership with the band and saw him become involved with Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
on his 1983 mini album Star Fleet Project
Star Fleet Project
Star Fleet Project is a project of Brian May, most famous as the guitarist from Queen, which resulted in an album with the same name. The project was released as the work of "Brian May + Friends", consisting of May, guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alan Gratzer , Phil Chen , and Fred Mandel Star...
, Queen on their 1984 album The Works
The Works (Queen album)
-Radio Ga Ga:"Radio Ga Ga" was composed on keyboards, after Roger Taylor heard his son Felix saying "radio ca ca". He wrote it in Los Angeles and locked himself in the studio with a Roland Jupiter 8 and a drum machine. Afterwards John Deacon came up with a suitable bass line. Mercury reconstructed...
and on the Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
album Mr. Bad Guy
Mr. Bad Guy
Mr. Bad Guy is the first solo album from Queen singer Freddie Mercury. Released in 1985, during a period in which Queen were on hiatus from recordings, the album contains eleven songs, all written by Mercury....
released in 1985.
Following this relationship Mandel went on tour with Supertramp
Supertramp
Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
who were performing their last gigs with their original line up on a tour named the Final Cut
Final cut
Final cut may refer to:* The Final Cut , a 1983 album by Pink Floyd** "The Final Cut" , a song included on the above Pink Floyd album* The Final Cut , an industrial music group...
.
Later on Mandel had a was offered the chance play with his teen idol Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, whom Mandel states as being "...to this day, one of the most bad-ass rock and roll piano players around!"
Mandel has remained involved in music and has again worked with Supertramp
Supertramp
Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
and other in the studio as a session musician as well as continuing to play live and is currently working towards recording his own solo album.
Selected discography
Albums:- The Domenic TroianoDomenic TroianoDomenic Troiano was a Canadian rock guitarist, most notable for his contributions to Mandala, The James Gang, The Guess Who and as a solo artist.-History:...
Band: Burnin' at the Stake (1977) - Alice Cooper: The Alice Cooper ShowThe Alice Cooper ShowThe Alice Cooper Show is a live album by Alice Cooper, released by Warner Bros. in December 1977.It was recorded live in Las Vegas at the Aladdin Hotel on August 19th and 20th, 1977, during Cooper's "King Of The Silver Screen" US tour...
(1977, live album) - Pink Floyd: The WallThe WallThe Wall is the eleventh studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd. Released as a double album on 30 November 1979, it was subsequently performed live with elaborate theatrical effects, and adapted into a feature film, Pink Floyd—The Wall.As with the band's previous three...
(1979) - Alice Cooper: Flush the FashionFlush the FashionFlush the Fashion is the 12th studio album by Alice Cooper, released in 1980, and produced by Roy Thomas Baker. Musically, the album was a drastic change of style for Cooper, leaning towards a new wave influence...
(1980) - Alice Cooper: Special ForcesSpecial Forces (Alice Cooper album)Special Forces is the 13th studio album by Alice Cooper, released in 1981, and was produced by Richard Podolor. Singles included "You Want It, You Got It", "Who Do You Think We Are" and "Seven and Seven Is". Flo and Eddie, former members of The Turtles, performers, and radio personalities,...
(1981) - Brian May + Friends: Star Fleet ProjectStar Fleet ProjectStar Fleet Project is a project of Brian May, most famous as the guitarist from Queen, which resulted in an album with the same name. The project was released as the work of "Brian May + Friends", consisting of May, guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alan Gratzer , Phil Chen , and Fred Mandel Star...
(1983) - Queen: The WorksThe Works (Queen album)-Radio Ga Ga:"Radio Ga Ga" was composed on keyboards, after Roger Taylor heard his son Felix saying "radio ca ca". He wrote it in Los Angeles and locked himself in the studio with a Roland Jupiter 8 and a drum machine. Afterwards John Deacon came up with a suitable bass line. Mercury reconstructed...
(1984) - Freddie Mercury: Mr. Bad GuyMr. Bad GuyMr. Bad Guy is the first solo album from Queen singer Freddie Mercury. Released in 1985, during a period in which Queen were on hiatus from recordings, the album contains eleven songs, all written by Mercury....
(1985) - Elton John: Ice on FireIce on FireIce on Fire is the nineteenth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, recorded at Sol Studios and released in 1985. It was the first album since Blue Moves produced by John's original longtime producer, Gus Dudgeon. But it was met with little praise, and only reached number 48 on the...
(1985) - Elton John: Leather JacketsLeather Jackets (album)Leather Jackets is the twentieth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, recorded at Sol Studios in England and Wisseloord Studios in The Netherlands. and released in 1986. It was his first album to not create any top 40 singles in either the US or the UK since 1970's Tumbleweed...
(1986) - Bernie Taupin: Tribe (1987)
- Elton John: Reg Strikes BackReg Strikes BackReg Strikes Back is the twenty-first studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1988. It was his self-proclaimed comeback album, and his own way of fighting back against bad press. The "Reg" in Reg Strikes Back refers to Elton John's birth name, Reginald Kenneth Dwight. This...
(1988) - Elton John: Sleeping with the PastSleeping with the PastSleeping with the Past is the twenty-second studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released on 29 August 1989. It is his best-selling album in Denmark and is dedicated to his longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin...
(1989) - Supertramp: Some Things Never ChangeSome Things Never ChangeSome Things Never Change is the eleventh album by progressive rock band Supertramp, released in 1997 . It represented a deliberate return to the band's earlier sound , using more organic recording techniques than on their previous studio album.The song "Live to Love You" features both the 'tackled'...
(1997) - Queen: Queen on Fire – Live at the Bowl (2004; DVD bonus material)
- Philip SaycePhilip SaycePhilip Sayce is a Welsh born guitarist, singer and songwriter from Canada.-Early life:Sayce was born in Aberystwyth, but family moved to Canada when he was two years old, and he grew up in Toronto. His parents, Kenneth and Sheila, listened to music by Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder and Dire Straits, among...
: Peace Machine (2009)
Film:
- RoadieRoadie (film)Roadie is a 1980 film directed by Alan Rudolph about a truck driver who becomes a roadie for a traveling rock and roll show. The film stars Meat Loaf and marks his first starring role in a film. There are also cameo appearances by musicians such as Roy Orbison, Hank Williams Jr., Blondie and Alice...
(1980)
External links
- http://www.myspace.com/fredmandel