Richard Manitoba
Encyclopedia
Richard "Handsome Dick" Manitoba (born Richard Blum; January 29, 1954) is an American punk rock
singer and radio personality, best known as the lead singer of the New York City
band The Dictators
.
, in 1975. On their first major-label album, The Dictators Go Girl Crazy!
(Epic Records
, 1975), he was listed as the "Secret Weapon". This is because he sang some lead and some background, but was still considered a "mascot" of the band. He sang more lead on The Dictators' second offering, Manifest Destiny, a 1977 release on the Asylum
label. On Bloodbrothers, the third and final Dictators studio recording from the 1970s (also on Asylum, 1978), Manitoba sang lead vocals on almost all the tracks.
The Dictators disbanded in late 1978, but performed sporadically until 1996, when they started to play again regularly.
In 1989, Manitoba — along with Andy Shernoff
(bass, songwriter), and JP "Thunderbolt" Patterson (drums), Daniel Rey
(guitar)—released an album under the name Manitoba's Wild Kingdom
, on MCA Records. Ross the Boss, the original lead guitarist for The Dictators, eventually replaced Rey. Manitoba's Wild Kingdom played at the 2008 Joey Ramone Birthday Bash, with a guest appearance by Ross the Boss.
bar
on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He appeared in the 2004 documentary Kiss Loves You
. Manitoba stepped in as the vocalist for a reformed version of the band MC5
for several performances (the original singer, Rob Tyner, died in 1991). In 2006, Manitoba also became involved individually with MC5 bassist Michael Davis
, serving as a board member for Davis' Music Is Revolution Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports music education in public schools. Manitoba currently hosts "The Handsome Dick Manitoba Radio Program" on Little Steven Van Zandt's Underground Garage channel, on Sirius XM Radio. ) .
project
had been releasing albums under the name "Manitoba" (also the name of a Canadian province) since 2000. Once aware of this, Manitoba had Snaith informed that he considered the situation to be within the scope of trademark infringement
. Snaith disagreed, commenting: "It's like The Smiths suing John Smith or something" but complied by changing the project's name to Caribou
rather than having the dispute decided in a court of law.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
singer and radio personality, best known as the lead singer of the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
band The Dictators
The Dictators
The Dictators are an American punk rock band formed in New York City in 1973. Critic John Dougan said that they were "one of the finest and most influential proto-punk bands to walk the earth." The Dictators are represented in the "Punk Wing" of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in Cleveland, Ohio...
.
Background
Manitoba was born in The Bronx, New York. He started out his singing career as a roadie for The Dictators. He made his "official stage debut" with The Dictators at Popeye's Spinach Factory in Sheepshead Bay, BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, in 1975. On their first major-label album, The Dictators Go Girl Crazy!
The Dictators Go Girl Crazy!
Go Girl Crazy! was the 1975 debut album of the New York City-based punk rock band The Dictators. Trouser Press lauded the band's first release as a "wickedly funny, brilliantly played and hopelessly naïve masterpiece of self-indulgent smartass rock'n'roll"...
(Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, 1975), he was listed as the "Secret Weapon". This is because he sang some lead and some background, but was still considered a "mascot" of the band. He sang more lead on The Dictators' second offering, Manifest Destiny, a 1977 release on the Asylum
Asylum Records
Asylum Records is an American record label founded in 1971 by David Geffen, and partner Elliot Roberts, who had previously worked as agents at the William Morris Agency. Founded specifically to provide a record contract for Jackson Browne, the label signed Tom Waits, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell...
label. On Bloodbrothers, the third and final Dictators studio recording from the 1970s (also on Asylum, 1978), Manitoba sang lead vocals on almost all the tracks.
The Dictators disbanded in late 1978, but performed sporadically until 1996, when they started to play again regularly.
In 1989, Manitoba — along with Andy Shernoff
Andy Shernoff
Andy Shernoff is a musician, songwriter, record producer and oenophile.He is a founding member of The Dictators, one of the original New York punk bands, in which he wrote nearly all of the songs, played bass guitar and keyboards, and sang backing vocals and occasional leads...
(bass, songwriter), and JP "Thunderbolt" Patterson (drums), Daniel Rey
Daniel Rey
Daniel Rey is an American musician, music producer and songwriter from New York City best known for his work with the Ramones....
(guitar)—released an album under the name Manitoba's Wild Kingdom
Manitoba's Wild Kingdom
Manitoba's Wild Kingdom is a heavy metal and punk rock band based in New York City. They are perhaps most notable for consisting, in part, of members of the New York punk band The Dictators and for being one of the very few musical groups Sandy Pearlman ever signed to his short-lived record label,...
, on MCA Records. Ross the Boss, the original lead guitarist for The Dictators, eventually replaced Rey. Manitoba's Wild Kingdom played at the 2008 Joey Ramone Birthday Bash, with a guest appearance by Ross the Boss.
Current activity
From 1999 Manitoba has operated "Manitobas", a New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
bar
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He appeared in the 2004 documentary Kiss Loves You
Kiss Loves You
KISS Loves You is a 2004 documentary film directed by Jim Heneghan and co-produced by 8th Grade Films and Sveriges Television. The documentary chronicles the triumphs, tragedies and absurdities of a select group of KISS fans over a ten year period beginning in 1994, during which the band reunited...
. Manitoba stepped in as the vocalist for a reformed version of the band MC5
MC5
The MC5 is an American rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan and originally active from 1964 to 1972. The original band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson...
for several performances (the original singer, Rob Tyner, died in 1991). In 2006, Manitoba also became involved individually with MC5 bassist Michael Davis
Michael Davis
Michael Davis may refer to:* Michael Davis , bass guitarist, singer, songwriter and music producer* Michael Davis , film director, writer, producer...
, serving as a board member for Davis' Music Is Revolution Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports music education in public schools. Manitoba currently hosts "The Handsome Dick Manitoba Radio Program" on Little Steven Van Zandt's Underground Garage channel, on Sirius XM Radio. ) .
Trademark claim of the name "Manitoba"
Manitoba had been part of a project that recorded a rock album under the name "Manitoba's Wild Kingdom" that was released by MCA records in 1990. In 2004 he became aware that Canadian recording artist Daniel Snaith's electronicElectronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
project
Caribou (musician)
Daniel Victor Snaith is a composer, musician and recording artist under stage names Caribou, Manitoba and Daphni. Under the supervision of Kevin Buzzard, he obtained a PhD in mathematics at Imperial College London.- Career:...
had been releasing albums under the name "Manitoba" (also the name of a Canadian province) since 2000. Once aware of this, Manitoba had Snaith informed that he considered the situation to be within the scope of trademark infringement
Trademark infringement
Trademark infringement is a violation of the exclusive rights attaching to a trademark without the authorization of the trademark owner or any licensees...
. Snaith disagreed, commenting: "It's like The Smiths suing John Smith or something" but complied by changing the project's name to Caribou
Caribou (musician)
Daniel Victor Snaith is a composer, musician and recording artist under stage names Caribou, Manitoba and Daphni. Under the supervision of Kevin Buzzard, he obtained a PhD in mathematics at Imperial College London.- Career:...
rather than having the dispute decided in a court of law.
External links
- Manitoba's A bar operated by Manitoba.
- "Handsome Dick Manitoba Steps Behind a Different Mike"
- "Punk, and Jewish: Rockers Explore Identity"