Fred Mandel started his musical upbringing in Estevan, Saskatchewan, with piano at age 4 and guitar at age 8. He moved to Toronto in 1964, played in local bands and started professionally on the road at age 20 with Grant Smith and The Power.
Mandel then went on to play with Lighthouse and the Domenic Troiano Band with whom he recorded 'Burning At The Stake' for Capitol Records. In 1977 he did the Dick Wagner album with Bob Ezrin producing which led to work with Alice Cooper from 1977-1980 as a keyboardist and later, guitarist/musical director. During this time Mandel also did a small tour of America with Kiki Dee.
He recorded three albums with Alice Cooper writing a majority of the songs for the 1980 release 'Flush The Fashion" produced by Roy Thomas Baker (Queen, The Cars). Mandel co-wrote "Pain" with Cooper which featured in the Meatload movie vehicle 'Roadie'. Mandel also appeared appeared in the movie with the Alice Cooper Band. During this period he also worked with Pink Floyd playing B-3 with them on 'The Wall'.
In 1982 he toured Japan and America with Queen, doing the TV show 'Saturday Night Live' and appeared on Queen's album 'The Works'. Mandel also did Brian May's solo album, "Starfleet", featuring Eddie Van Halen. He then recorded with Freddie Mercury on his solo album 'Mr. Bad Guy' playing keyboards and guitar.
In 1983 he toured America and Europe with Supertramp and went on to produce the song "And The Light" for their album 'Some Things Never Change'.
In 1984 Fred joined The Elton John Band with whom he toured until 1990. He recorded five albums with Elton ('Ice On Fire', 'Leather Jackets', 'Live With The Melbourne Symphony', 'Reg Strikes Back', and 'Sleeping With The Past').
In recent years Mandel has recorded with Philip Sayce (Toronto guitarist now with Mellisa Etheridge} and the debut record for the singer Wensday produced by Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed). He has just finished scoring a movie for the Canadian director, Peter Foldy, and is currently working on a solo record.
with notes from Peter Foldy
Singles
Albums
Video
Compilation Tracks
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