Hi all, Wayne Fontana passed away three days ago at the age of 74 due to
cancer, so here is an article from wikipedia about him.
Wayne FontanaBirth name Glyn Geoffrey EllisBorn 28 October 1945Levenshulme,
Manchester, Lancashire, EnglandDied 6 August 2020 (aged 74)Stockport, Greater
Manchester, EnglandGenres Beat, popOccupation(s) SingerYears active
1962–2020Labels FontanaAssociated acts The MindbendersWebsite
waynefontanauk.comWayne Fontana (born Glyn Geoffrey Ellis, 28 October 1945 – 6
August 2020) was an English rock and pop singer, best known for the 1965 hit
"The Game of Love" with the Mindbenders.BiographyMusic careerFontana was born
in Levenshulme, Manchester, Lancashire, and took his stage name from Elvis
Presley's drummer, D. J. Fontana. In June 1963 he formed his backing group, the
Mindbenders, and secured a recording contract with, coincidentally, Fontana
Records. With the band, Fontana released his biggest single "The Game of Love"
and after several less successful singles he left the band in October 1965. He
reportedly quit during a concert performance.Fontana remained under contract to
the label after parting with the Mindbenders and soldiered on alone, using
musicians working under the name of the Opposition, notably Frank Renshaw (lead
guitar) (born 22 June 1943, Wythenshawe, Manchester), Bernie Burns (drums),
Stuart Sirret (bass), and Phil Keen (drums), among others. Sometimes the band
was billed as the Mindbenders, sometimes just as the Wayne Fontana Band.
Struggling to achieve chart success, Fontana recorded a number of songs by
outside writers with B-sides being mostly his own compositions. Fontana's
biggest solo single, "Pamela, Pamela", written by Graham Gouldman, reached no 5
in Australia’s Kent Music Report and no 11 on the UK Singles Chart in early
1967. It was his last single to chart in the UK. The later singles included
another Gouldman composition, "The Impossible Years". In 1970 he was one of the
first performers at the Glastonbury Festival. After a streak of flopped
releases, Fontana took a break in 1970.In 1973, trying to re-launch his career,
Fontana recorded yet another Gouldman song, "Together". It was backed with an
original song, "One-Man Woman", that was co-produced with Eric Stewart, an
ex-bandmate from the Mindbenders. The single failed to chart. After his last
single, "The Last Bus Home," released by Polydor in 1976, he largely left the
music business. He told the Daily Express in 2017, "I went into
self-retirement, drank too much and didn't know where I was half the time."
After giving up drinking he joined the 60s revival circuit.Later yearsIn 2005,
he fought off bankruptcy but was arrested after police were called by bailiffs
who went to his home in Glossop, Derbyshire. He poured petrol onto the bonnet
of a bailiff's car and set it alight with the bailiff still inside. Fontana was
remanded in custody on 25 May 2007. He later appeared at Derby Crown Court
dressed as Lady Justice, complete with a sword, scales, crown, cape and dark
glasses, and claiming "justice is blind". He dismissed his lawyers. On 10
November 2007 he was sentenced to 11 months for setting fire to the car but was
released because he had already served the equivalent of the term, having been
held under the Mental Health Act 1983.In March 2011 Fontana was arrested at the
Palace Theatre, Manchester, after failing to appear in court in Wakefield, over
an unpaid speeding fine.Fontana continued to perform, notably in the Solid
Silver 60s Shows.Fontana died from cancer on 6 August 2020 at the age of 74.
His long-term partner was by his side. He also had a daughter and two sons
