The Manish Boys

Who were The Manish Boys?

The Manish Boys emerged during a formative period in Bowie’s early career, following his time with The Konrads and Davie Jones & The King Bees. Unlike his earlier beat groups, this band leaned more heavily toward American R&B and soul, incorporating jazzy arrangements and a sharper visual identity.

Key moments (1964–1965)

• July 1964: Bowie auditions for and joins The Manish Boys.
• 1964–1965: The band performs regularly on the London club circuit.
• March 5, 1965: Release of the single “I Pity The Fool” / “Take My Tip”.
• March 1965: Television exposure around the time of the single’s release.

The single: “I Pity The Fool” / “Take My Tip”

The A-side, “I Pity The Fool”, is a cover of the 1961 Bobby Bland song and was produced by Shel Talmy, later famous for his work with The Who and The Kinks. The recording featured session guitarist Jimmy Page, adding further historical weight to the release.

The B-side, “Take My Tip”, is particularly significant: it represents the first Bowie composition to be released on record, offering an early glimpse of his songwriting ambitions.

Television and promotion

The release was accompanied by early television appearances, introducing Bowie to a wider audience. Although the single failed to chart, these performances helped Bowie understand the growing importance of image, presentation, and media — lessons that would shape his future career.

Band members

• Davie Jones (David Bowie) — vocals
• John Watson — bass, vocals
• Johnny Flux — lead guitar
• Bob Solly — organ
• Mick White — drums
• Woolf Byrne — baritone saxophone
• Paul Rodriguez — tenor saxophone

Why The Manish Boys matter in Bowie’s story

While commercially unsuccessful, The Manish Boys occupy a vital place in Bowie’s artistic evolution. They represent his move toward professionalism, his first officially released songwriting credit, and his early encounters with producers, session musicians, and television exposure.

Long before Ziggy Stardust or the Berlin years, this was where Bowie learned the foundations of reinvention — absorbing styles, refining his image, and preparing for the breakthroughs to come.

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