PAUL Jones is definitely a voice many associate with the sound track to the 1960s from his singing with Manfred Mann.

Paul Jones or P Pond (his real name) or PP Jones or Paul Peterson as he was known while a singer in dance band, has always been in charge of his own destiny and when he left Manfred Mann in 1966 he did it on his terms.

Paul has been bringing his joy of music to people for many years and will continue to do so when he appears with The Manfreds on their Makin’ Tracks Tour which comes to the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil on June 7.

He has been in the public spotlight since he started singing the blues, then appearing in Manfred Mann and then he became an actor, musical performer and as a BBC Radio Two DJ.

Paul said: “The first time I ever listened to music when gave me goosebumps or a prickle down the back of the neck was when I was listening to jazz.

“I must have been about 14 years old when this happened and I was listening to King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band with songs such as Dipper Mouth Blues and Mabel’s Dream.

“Even to this day when I hum Mabel’s Dream to myself I still get that same feeling (goosebumps) I did when I was a teenager.”

By 1961 Paul met Brian Jones and they sang and played together at the Ealing Club.

Brian told him he was putting together a band and would he like to be the singer. 

Paul said no but he does not regret saying no to the Rolling Stones.

As he said: “You cannot predict the future.”

Paul’s pop future lay with Manfred Mann where he sang on hits such as “5-4-3-2-1”, “Do Wah Diddy Diddy”, “Sha La La” and “Pretty Flamingo.

Paul said: “Between 1962-1966 it was not a peak of anything as I had only just started. What I did think was this was on the way to something. When I left in 1966 , it was the step in a new career.”

You can catch Paul with The Manfreds: Makin’ Tracks Tour at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil.

Tickets cost £22.

These can be bought online at octagon-theatre.co.uk or calling the box office on 01935 422884