Stately Wayne Manor - The "fledging Rock Star" Years

The "fledging Rock Star" Years

Dubbed a virtuoso rock drummer by a Philadelphia-area newspaper, self-taught Manor also became competent enough at songwriting, synthesizer, various percussion instruments, harmonica, vocals and electric bass to perform each discipline onstage; and wrote three articles for Modern Drummer magazine. He also performed in a public demonstration with synthesizer inventor Dr. Robert Moog.

Stately is one of the "Sigma Kids," a group of about a dozen David Bowie devotees who kept a ten-day vigil outside the studio and band’s hotel during the recording of Young Americans rewarded afterwards with an exclusive listening party hosted by Bowie, a move so unprecedented, it was documented in Rolling Stone magazine. In 2007, a special CD/DVD re-release of the album features Manor visible in four photos in the enclosed booklet. Photos from the event also appear in books about Bowie and the original supermodel, Gia, as well as on the SWM website ‘Photos’ archive.

Inspired by the Sigma experience to try his own hand as front man, Manor assembled a short-lived band, recruiting bassist Gail Ann Dorsey who, ironically enough, now regularly tours with Bowie.

In the latter half of the Seventies, Stately became deeply immersed in the emerging punk rock music scene. He was a regular and occasional performer at Philadelphia’s Hot Club, and frequented NYC venues such as CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, regularly sleeping on the couch of future recording-engineer superstar Bob Clearmountain while in New York. Manor was also slated to drum behind former Sex Pistol Sid Vicious on the Philly date of the latter’s aborted "solo tour."