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MANTAE


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Mantae 1967

April 22, 1966

Seated on tree branch:  Gary Squires (guitar)
L-R:  Leslie Moore (vocals),
Alana Hammond (vocals), Tom Thompson (drums),
Danny Payne (bass), Ian Lowe (autoharp/vocals)

Photo credit:  University of Manitoba Archives & Special Colllections



St. James’ group Mantae specialized in folk-rock style vocals.  “All of us were strong singers,” says lead voice Alana Stephens (nee Hammond), “so we could do all those intricate Hollies and Mamas & Papas harmonies.”

Formed in 1966, Mantae (not The Mantae, Stephens stresses) consisted of Stephens, guitarist Gary Squires, Ian Lowe on vocals and autoharp, Danny Payne on bass, and drummer Tommy Thompson.  Leslie Moore briefly sang with the group.  All but Thompson met at Silver Heights Collegiate in the mid 60s.

While other bands opted for the long-haired scruffy look, Mantae adopted a clean cut image.  “Even our parents liked us,” laughs Stephens, who recalls the group rehearsing in her parents’ living room.  “The neighbours would sit outside and listen.”

Mantae appeared at the Fourth Dimension and Fireplace coffeehouses as well as community club dances.  “We were very popular in St. James,” says Stephens, who says the band play a benefit concert for the newly opened Grace Hospital in St. James.
Mantae were selected from some 2000 entries to appear at Expo 67 and set about making plans to travel to Montreal that summer.  A week before leaving, the band was returning from a gig in Altona MB when Thompson was killed in a car accident.  Finder’s Keepers drummer Bob Watson joined but the band didn’t have the heart to play Expo.

Mantae called it quits the following year.  Stephens went on to sing on CBC TV; Squires played in a number of pub bands including Grizzly Bear [sic].  “It was such a special time,” reflects Stephens.  “There were so many opportunities to perform.  We were booked every weekend.  Being good friends was wonderful, too.  We were like a family.”

John Einarson
As posted on the MANITOBA MUSIC MUSEUM FACEBOOK PAGE, July 23, 2022




Mantae 1966

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Expo 67 Promo




Mantae 1967

Mantae at St. Mary's Academy
February 1967

Newspaper
                              Article

CBC Easter
                              Special
Mantae

L-R:  Ian lowe, Alana Hammond, Tom Thomson,
Gary Squires, Danny Payne

Mantae Business Card

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