A BAND who did not play together for 22 years, reformed after a one-off gig for a friend's birthday.

Manfred Mann gained their first number one hit in the UK in 1964 with the catchy Do Wah Diddy Diddy.

After charting regularly they went their separate ways in 1969, but after a musical reunion in 1991 to celebrate the birthday of Tom McGuinness, the band's former guitarist and vocalist, everything fell back into place with a dynamic freshness.

"We all had such a good time," says Mike Hugg, the band's keyboard player.

"There was no real intention to get back together but the gig was particularly successful.

"Everybody had a good time, the audience had a good time, and we did a few more gigs, and kept going."

Aside from Mike, the band, who are now known as The Manfreds consist of Paul Jones on harmonica and vocals, Tom McGuinness on guitar and vocals, Rob Townsend on drums, Marcus Cliffe on bass and Simon Currie on saxophone and flute.

The Manfred Mann line-up had consisted of Manfred Mann on keyboards, Mike Hugg on drums, Paul Jones on harmonica and vocals, Mike Vickers on flute, guitar and saxophone, and Tom McGuinness on bass.

Two of Manfred Mann's singles were used as the theme music to the British music programme Ready, Steady Go!

"We were called the Blues Brothers before Manfred Mann but the record company decided that wasn't a commercial name!" says Mike Hugg.

"The original keyboard player had the name of Manfred Mann and the record company decided that was a better name.

"They preferred it, we didn't, but they wouldn't sign us up so we have lived with it ever since."

Mike, who set up a jazz band called Chapter III with keyboard player Manfred Mann for two years, learned to play drums and piano at the same time, but began playing drums with Manfred Mann because there was no other drummer at the time.

During the time that the Manfreds did not play together, Mike wrote music to a number of film scripts and television commercials, including The Likely Lads.

The Manfreds will be bringing The Cats Will Play Tour to Huntingdon Hall, Worcester on Tuesday, September 28.

Tickets are £18.50 and can be bought from the box office on 01905 611427.