Biography

Fontana was born in Levenshulme, Manchester, Lancashire, and took his stage name from Elvis Presley's drummer, D.J. Fontana. In 1963 he formed his backing group, the Mindbenders, and secured a recording contract, coincidentally, with Fontana Records. He remained under contract to the label after parting with the Mindbenders. He soldiered on alone, using musicians working under the name of the Opposition, notably Frank Renshaw (lead guitar) (born 22 June 1943, Wythenshawe, Manchester); Bernie Burns (drums); Roy "Rossi" Henshall (bass); Rod Gerrard (guitar, ex-Herman's Hermits), and Phil Keane (drums), among others. Sometimes the band was billed as the Mindbenders, sometimes just as the Wayne Fontana Band. Fontana's most successful solo single release was also his last, "Pamela, Pamela", which reached No 11 in the UK Singles Chart early in 1967.

In 2005, he fought off bankruptcy but was arrested after police were called by bailiffs who went to his home in Glossop, Derbyshire. He poured petrol on the bonnet of a bailiff's car and set it alight with the bailiff still inside. Fontana was remanded in custody on 25 May 2007. He later appeared at Derby Crown Court dressed as Lady Justice, complete with a sword, scales, crown, cape and dark glasses, and claiming "justice is blind". He dismissed his lawyers. On 10 November 2007 he was sentenced to 11 months for setting fire to the car but was released because he had already served the equivalent of the term, having been held under the Mental Health Act 1983. After his release he settled in Spain.

In March 2011 Fontana was arrested at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, after failing to appear in court in Wakefield, over an unpaid speeding fine.

When the matter was brought to court, it was found that the ticket had never been issued to him and he had returned home to Spain unaware that he had an outstanding ticket. It was also determined, at Wakefield Magistrates' Court, that points had been erroneously added to his licence and these were removed by the court. All outstanding fines were paid as well as pending parking fines and this cleared his record.

Fontana continues to perform, notably in the Solid Silver 60s Shows.

Discography

Albums

• Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders (label has: Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um - It's Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders) - 1964 (UK Fontana TL5230)
• The Game of Love - 1965 (US Fontana MGF 27542 (Mono)/SRF 67542 (Stereo))
• Eric, Rick, Wayne And Bob - It's Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders - 1965 (UK Fontana TL5257)
• Wayne One - 1966 (UK Fontana TL5351 (Mono)/STL5351 (Stereo))
• Wayne Fontana - 1967 (US MGM E 4459 (Mono)/SE 4459 (Stereo))

Singles

Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders

Year	Single	Catalogue	Chart Positions
1963	"Hello Josephine"	UK Fontana TF404	46	-	-
	"For You, For You"	UK Fontana TF418	-	-	-
1964	"Little Darlin'"	UK Fontana TF436	-	-	-
	"Stop Look and Listen"	UK Fontana TF451	37	-	-
	"Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um"	UK Fontana TF497	5	-	-
1965	"Game of Love"	UK Fontana TF535	2	38	1
	"It's Just a Little Bit Too Late"	UK Fontana TF579	20	55	45
	"She Needs Love"	UK Fontana TF611	32	-	-

Wayne Fontana (solo)

Year	Single	Catalogue	Chart Positions
1965	"It Was Easier To Hurt Her"	UK Fontana TF642	36	-	-
1966	"Come On Home"	UK Fontana TF684	16	38	-
	"Goodbye Bluebird"	UK Fontana TF737	49	-	-
	"Pamela Pamela"	UK Fontana TF770	11	5	-
1967	"24 Sycamore"	UK Fontana TF827	-	33	-
	"The Impossible Years"	UK Fontana TF866	-	72	-
	"Gina"	UK Fontana TF889	-	-	1
1968	"Storybook Children"	UK Fontana TF911	-	-	-
	"The Words of Bartholomew"	UK Fontana TF933	-	84	-
	"Never an Everyday Thing"	UK Fontana TF976	-	-	-
1969	"Dayton Ohio 1903"	UK Fontana TF1008	-	-	-
	"We're Building a Love"	UK Fontana TF1054	-	-	-
	"Charlie Cass"	UK Fontana TF1054	-	-	-
1973	"Together"	UK Warner Bros. K 16269	-	-	-
1976	"The Last Bus Home"	UK Polydor 2058 758	-	-	-

[ Source: Wikipedia ]