Irish said:

> First, you are very lucky to have seen the band
> live over the years. I have only seen them
> live, twice. Both times were with Natalie in
> the band.

Irish:

My luck as far as having seen the Manaics as many times as I have, was only and simply because they come from the Buffalo area. My brother-in-law Dale knew them very well, from their days as one of the regulars of the CONTINENTAL, a punk bar downtown.

I followed them and was excited by their success, and was sorry to see Natalie leave the band.

I am sorry, but that story about Natalie wanting to go solo for many years is simply untrue. What I am told happened, was the record company put a lot of pressure on Natalie to go solo, as a solo act is more profitable to the record company than a band splitting royalties five or six ways.

I have not seen Natalie solo, even though she has been back numerous times. I just don't agree that it is acceptable to screw the people that were part of making her a success in the first place.

The chemistry that existed on the first three or four releases just isn't there with Natalie as a solo act. It's kind of like Plant minus Page. It just isn't the same.

I have seen them play in a bar, in a field, in a theatre, in a hall, in a hockey rink, in a football stadium (opening for the DEAD), and lots of other places in between.

Ah well--- I have my memories, don't I?

Peace and Prayers,




Kent Daniel Bentkowski
Buffalo, New York USA