His Love. Art Music and Faith

Geoff Mann was many things: artist, poet, playwright, singer, actor, songwriter, self-confessed ‘wobbly’ musician, husband, father, curate and vicar. Often irreverent, never compromising, Geoff packed more into his thirty-six years than most do in three-score and ten.

Geoff Mann was many things: artist, poet, playwright, singer, actor, songwriter, self-confessed ‘wobbly’ musician, husband, father, curate and vicar. Often irreverent, never compromising, Geoff packed more into his thirty-six years than most do in three-score and ten. He released fifteen albums, performed hundreds of concerts, including at the Reading and Greenbelt festivals, exhibited his art at ten galleries, and cared for both his family and his church members. This official biography – written with the full cooperation of the Mann family – takes a fresh and detailed look at Geoff's life, from his childhood in Manchester through his student years in Reading, his time as a professional artist, and the two tumultuous years with Twelfth Night. Also covered is his subsequent musical career, including The Bond, Eh! Geoff Mann Band and his collaborations with Marc Catley and Clive Nolan. Geoff also appeared in several gospel musicals, produced several releases for other artists and wrote a play which was produced at the Edinburgh Festival. His Love describes Geoff’s sudden and unexpected conversion to Christianity, his subsequent calling to be a vicar, his impact as a curate, and his resilience and humour in the face of a terminal illness. The book also celebrates Geoff’s continuing influence and includes unpublished poems, unseen photographs and the recollections of his closest friends, bandmates and musical peers. Geoff Mann (1956-1993) graduated from Reading University in 1978 with a BA in Fine Art. After three years as a professional artist, he joined four college friends as vocalist in the band Twelfth Night. He left after two farewell shows in November 1983. As well as pursuing a solo career and being a member of The Bond (1985-1989) and Eh! Geoff Mann Band (1989-1993), he also entered the ministry, initially as a curate at Christ’s Church, Harwood and latterly as vicar at St. Luke’s, Deepish. He died on 5 February 1993.