1. Michael David d'Abo was born on 1 March 1944 and is an English singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of Manfred Mann from 1966 to their dissolution in 1969, and as the composer of the songs "Handbags and Gladrags" and "Build Me Up Buttercup", the latter of which was a hit for The Foundations.
Mike d'Abo was educated at Wellesley House Prep School in Kent, then at Harrow School and Selwyn College, Cambridge.
Mike d'Abo switched to economics, unsuccessfully, and left Cambridge with "a first class jazz collection" but without completing his studies.
Mike d'Abo had minor success with a group of Old Harrovians, A Band of Angels, that had their own comic strip in a UK pop music weekly, Fab 208.
Mike d'Abo composed and produced Chris Farlowe's "Handbags and Gladrags", a hit single and "The Last Goodbye".
Mike d'Abo wrote two songs recorded by Rod Stewart on Immediate Records: "Little Miss Understood" and "So Much to Say ".
In December 1968, Mike d'Abo played the lead in Gulliver Travels at the Mermaid Theatre, Blackfriars, London and he portrayed Herod on the original recording of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Mike d'Abo had a short role on the original recording of Evita.
Mike d'Abo wrote "Loving Cup" for The Fortunes and "Mary, Won't You Warm My Bed" for Colin Blunstone.
In 1997, Mike d'Abo presented a programme on BBC Radio Bristol, "The Golden Years", playing music from the 1950s onwards; it broadcast on Saturdays on BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
Mike d'Abo presented a number of programmes on BBC Radio 2 in 1986 and 1987.
Mike d'Abo is a first cousin of actress Maryam d'Abo.