Paul Jones

Paul Jones

Paul Jones is a singer, actor, harmonica player, and radio and television presenter from Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Born in 1942 as Paul P Pond, he is known as a former member of Manfred Mann and The Blues Band, and is also associated with Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse and Eddie Hardin’s Wizards Convention 2. His work is placed in blues rock, and he also has experience in musical theatre.

Early work and Manfred Mann

Before joining Manfred Mann, he performs as P.P. Pond and sings duets with Elmo Lewis at the Ealing Club, a venue associated with Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated. He is then asked by Keith Richards and Brian Jones to become the lead singer of a new group they are forming, but he declines. He goes on to become the vocalist and harmonica player in Manfred Mann, where he has several Top Ten hits during the 1960s.

Solo recordings and later work

He begins a solo career in 1966 and remains with His Master’s Voice. His solo work is less successful in the UK than his recordings with Manfred Mann, but he does score hits with “High Time” and “I’ve Been a Bad, Bad Boy” and “Thinkin’ Ain’t for Me” in 1967. He later attempts to move further into acting, and his wider career includes work across singing, presentation, and theatre.