Guy Manning

Guy Manning is an English progressive rock multi-instrumentalist and singer from Leeds, United Kingdom, born in 1957. He works both under his own name and through the band Manning, which is formed around him and has been active since 1999.

Background and projects

Manning is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a strong association with progressive music. Before Manning, he is an associate of Parallel or 90 Degrees (PO90) and is also a founder member of The Tangent. He is also linked with Damanek, Gold, Frankincense & Disk Drive and La voce del vento.

Manning

The Manning line-up includes Rick Henry on drums and percussion, Kris Hudson-Lee on basses and backing vocals, Julie King on additional keyboards, percussion and backing vocals, David Million on lead guitars and backing vocals, and Martin Thiselton on keyboards. The group is able to reproduce its symphonic sound in performance and presents music that sits broadly within progressive rock while also drawing on folk, ballads, rock and extended progressive pieces. Its material is described as varied rather than uniform, with songs ranging from folk-tinged pieces to heavier rock passages and longer-form compositions.

Recordings and recognition

The band develops a substantial studio catalogue, with annual albums being a notable feature of its activity. Songs From The Bilston House is nominated for Album of the Year by the Classic Rock Society. Number Ten follows in 2009 and supports a run of headline shows. Charlestown is released in 2010 and is nominated for Album of the Year by both the Classic Rock Society and the Italian ProgAwards. Margaret's Children follows in 2011, and Akoustik presents re-imagined and re-worked Manning material in an unplugged format. The Root, the Leaf and the Bone appears as another studio album in the sequence.

Guest musicians and live activity

Manning albums feature a wide range of guest appearances, including Andy Tillison, Laura Fowles, Ian 'Walter' Fairbairn, Steve Dundon, Angela Gordon, Martin Orford, Marek Arnold, Leon Camfield, Chlöe Herington and John Young. The band also performs at festivals and live events, including RoSfest in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and Summers End Festival, as well as earlier UK and European dates.