Mike d’Abo, who rose to fame in 1966 as the lead singer of Manfred Mann, has opened up about his financial history, detailing periods of struggle despite his musical success.
Early Career and Financial Hardship
d’Abo, who also wrote hits like "Build Me Up Buttercup" and "Handbags & Gladrags," revealed that his three years with Manfred Mann yielded only £11,700. He described constant financial difficulty throughout the 1970s and 1980s, noting that paying bills was a significant struggle during those decades. His early career included a job cleaning instruments at a music shop after being sent down from Cambridge University for failing exams.
Unexpected Windfalls and Songwriting Royalties
Despite the earlier struggles, d’Abo has experienced significant financial windfalls from his songwriting. He received a cheque for £66,000 two years after Stereophonics had a hit with "Handbags & Gladrags." Another substantial payment came 20 years after Manfred Mann disbanded, when an audit revealed the band had been underpaid by £180,000. d’Abo's share was £28,000, though he stated he never received the money as his then-wife deposited it into her own account.
The songwriter noted that his best financial year occurred in 2003/04, 18 months after The Stereophonics' hit version of "Handbags & Gladrags" (written by d’Abo in 1967) gained commercial success. This period, he explained, was when the writer's royalties finally came through.
Personal Finances and Future Outlook
d’Abo now lives in the Cotswolds with his wife, Lisa, and their 18-year-old twins. He attributes their improved financial stability to his wife's administrative skills, which have enabled them to save and invest. The couple owns their two properties outright. He considers his songs his pension, hoping they will provide for his family after his passing. His new album, "The Journey... So Far," was released via Charly Records and streaming platforms.