Tom McGuinness (born Thomas John Patrick McGuinness, 2 December 1941, Wimbledon, South London) is a guitarist songwriter, author, record and TV producer. he is best known as the guitarist from Manfred Mann and The Blues Band. In 1986 he wrote the book So You Want To Be a Rock and Roll Star.
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Following a stint in the short-lived Roosters with Eric Clapton, McGuiness joined the 1960s group Manfred Mann as a bassist, performing in a line up with Paul Jones. As the band sought to transform itself from jazz into a rhythm and blues orientated group, he took over bass duties from Dave Richmond and received joint songwriting credits on the group's early hits. Appointed the writer of album sleeve notes, he took the opportunity to identify himself as "the nastiest in the group".[1]
When Mike Vickers then Paul Jones left the band McGuinness started to take the role of guitarist and Jack Bruce played bass until replaced by Klaus Voormann. McGuinness' National Steel guitar became an important part of the group's sound and featured on hits such as "Pretty Flamingo". He composed a few album tracks for the group, notably the guitar instrumentals "L.S.D" and "One Way", also Mighty Garvey!'s surreal "Cubist Town".
After Manfred Mann disbanded in 1969 he formed McGuinness Flint with Hughie Flint, who disbanded in 1975. Later he joined Paul Jones and Gary Fletcher in The Blues Band and in 2011 was still appearing in the band's line up. McGuinness also performs with The Manfreds a splinter group from Manfred Mann, formed from the line up in the 1960s Manfred Mann band, but without Mann.
He also came out in support for the Labour Party in the 2010 General Election, whilst on tour he supported Bob Blizzard, the Labour candidate for Waveney.
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