Lemar

He has also done work with Prince Charles's the Prince's Trust. The lead vocalist actually singing Blinded By The Light is Chris Thompson, Manfred can be heard singing at the end of Blinded By The Light, in the round, with Thompson. Following the success of the album, he commenced his first headlining tour of the UK featuring an appearance at Party in the Park in Birmingham. Manfred Mann went on to write advertising jingles after the group's demise, and later formed Manfred Mann's Earth Band (who had a number 1 hit with Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded By The Light"). While the Springsteen version from 1973's Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. album has a folky, acoustic sound, the Manfred Mann's Earth Band version is driving rock with the electronic keyboards of the '70s. Lemar won a Brit Award for Best Urban Act in the 2004 Brit Awards. They split up in the following year. His first album Dedicated was released late in 2003 with additional singles "50/50" and "Another Day" also achieving chart success in the UK. With D'Abo as vocalist, they enjoyed several more hits, including a number one with Bob Dylan's "Mighty Quinn" in 1968.

Lemar's first single "Dance With U" reached number 2 on the UK singles charts in early 2003. When Jones left in 1966 at the height of their fame, he was replaced by Mike D'Abo, and this was one of the few occasions when a band has successfully swapped lead singers and remained at the top. Sony Music was so impressed with his potential that they signed him to a five record deal. with their cover version of the Exciters' "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and with "Pretty Flamingo". While he ended up finishing third in the show, he caught the eye of veteran British r&b singer Beverly Knight who invited him to sing a duet with her during her concert at the Hammersmith Apollo. With Jones fronting, they had number one hits in the U.K. He made the finals of the show winning plaudits for his version of "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green and singing a duet with Lionel Richie on "Easy Like Sunday Morning". The lead vocalist and undoubted star of the band in the early years was Paul Jones (later a successful actor).

Lemar saw an advertisement for Fame Academy in 2002, a combination of a talent quest and reality television show and decided to put his name forward. Born in South Africa, he originally formed the band in 1962, with his friend Mike Hugg, but both took a background role in live performances. When the record deal fell through due to restructuring at the label he was signed to, he had to eventually take a job working as an accounts manager at the NatWest Bank. Manfred Mann himself was originally named Manfred Lubowitz (born October 21, 1940). Lemar had some success in his musical career supporting Destiny's Child and achieving a record deal. Manfred Mann was a British R&B and pop band of the 1960s, named after the keyboard player. He gave up an opportunity to study pharmacy at the Cardiff University to pursue a musical career.

He was eighteen when he had his first concert at the Junior Jam at the Temple in Tottenham supporting Usher. Lemar Obika was born on 4 April 1978 in London and grew listening to soul and r&b and used to sing at home with his brother pretending to be The Jacksons. Lemar or Lemar Obika (born 4 April 1978- ) is a British r&b singer who has had a run of chart success in the UK since appearing on Fame Academy on BBC Television. Top of The Pops interview (http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/artists/l/lemar/underthegrill/page1.shtml/BBC).

Lemar Online website (http://www.lemar-online.com/lemar/). Time To Grow (2004). Dedicated (2003).