The Mindbenders (originally Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders) was a 1960s British Invasion band founded by Wayne Fontana (born Glyn Ellis 28 October, 1945 in Manchester).

Fontana founded the band with Bob Lang, Rick Rothwell, and Eric Stewart in 1963. They released a few unsuccessful singles before recording "Um Um Um Um Um Um" in 1964, which was a major hit in Britain and led to a tour with Brenda Lee. They also had a number one hit in the United States with "The Game of Love."

After a tour of America and some more unsuccessful singles, Fontana abruptly left the band in the middle of a concert in 1965. Guitarist Eric Stewart suddenly became the singer of the band (which dropped "Wayne Fontana" from its name).

The Mindbenders' first single without Fontana was the hit "A Groovy Kind of Love" (a Carole Bayer Sager / Toni Wine composition) which reached number one in the US. The album of the same name, however, was a failure, as were their other singles and later albums. Although they appeared in the Sidney Poitier movie To Sir, with Love, the band broke up in 1968. Eric Stewart went on to form the band 10cc.

Discography

• 1964 It's Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders
• 1965 The Game of Love
• 1966 Erik, Rick, Wayne, Bob
• 1966 The Mindbenders
• 1966 A Groovy Kind of Love
• 1967 With Woman in Mind