History

George Manney: Producer, Archivist, Composer & Musician, started out in the music industry playing drums, and leading his first band, Stone Dawn as a teenager playing the "underground" scene in Philadelphia. George's parents, Madeline E. Rossi Manney and Arthur L. Manney, were both musicians and supported George's choice in the music field. Often, most of the bands George played with, would rehearse at the Manney house with the support team of George's parents. Going back to the 60's, choosing to be a musician was often looked down upon. It was not really considered a "profession." In the 80's he went on to play with: Robert Hazard, Beru Revue, Kenn Kweder & the Alan Mann Band. In 1986 George started The Last Minute Jam @ J.C. Dobbs, a weekly institution on Tuesday nights, and the longest running Rock-Jam session in the history of the Philly music scene.

1986 - The building of Geo Sound Studio was completed and George produced the punk single I Hate New York  by Mikey Wilde & the Mess (Cry Baby records), the first of many Geo Sound recordings. In March 1992 George suffered multiple trauma injuries to his body after being struck by a car as he crossed the street. This accident left George with a permanent handicap to adjust to. As he was recuperating he decided to release & produce a benefit CD for the Philadelphia community: Last Minute Jam Vol.1 in 1996. Wanting to capture the nature of the Last Minute Jam, George invited some of Philly's finest artists to record two volumes of the Last Minute Jam CD's. Volume 2 was released in 1998 after George's mother (Madeline) was struck & killed by a hit & run driver.

July 1987 - 20th Anniversary of the Be-In w/ WYSP w/ host Ed Sciaky. George Manney played w/ The American Dream. This was the First reunion of the Dream since 1970. On this day the Dream opened for Todd Rundgren.

On Feb. 14 - 1988, the Electric Factory held it's 20th Anniversary show @ the Spectrum. George helped put together the Philly All Stars Band, and played with the Soul Survivors, The American Dream, Sweet Stavin' Chain, Stewkey of The Nazz, Kenn Kweder, and Essra Mohawk. Michael Tearson was the host for the Philly All Stars set.

Composing music for the Prism Music Magazine Show, George was nominated for a
Local Emmy in 1996 for his theme music composition. And in 1997 he was
awarded an Emmy for Prism TV for his production assistance along with
his theme music composition.  In 1996 Prism TV ran a one hour special to
celebrate the release of the first volume of Last Minute Jam.
George is also a voting member of the Recording Academy's Philadelphia Chapter.

In 1997, George Produced the compilation CD:  Seasons Greeting's Philadelphia (Record Cellar) featuring one of the first MARAH song's on CD  (A Beer in a Bar). Also Produced by George were both Rolling Hayseeds CD's  (1996-1999) for Record Cellar records at Geo Sound.

In January 1998 George called Winkle & Nicky of the American Dream  & booked the Dream to play February 3, 1998 @ Electric Factory's 28th Anniversary celebration at the newly open Electric Factory. The Dream w/ George Manney again on drums, opened for The Band & Richie Havens. The Dream had Nick Jameson flown out for this 'Special Anniversary Reunion' of the American Dream.

Then in April of 2000 for 30th Anneversary for Earth Day, George got The American Dream together for this event (the Dream played the First Earth Day w/ Redbone) & also did a radio interview on WMGK. The Dream played for this WMGK event with the Jefferson Starship, Roger McGuinn, The Marshall Tucker Band & Gary Wright.

The year 2000 also saw the band Burn Witch Burn (featuring Rodney of Dead Milkmen) record their CD for WEA/Lightyear/Razzler records at Geo Sound with George as Producer.

In 2001, Philadelphia rock band Silvertide (J Records) recorded their first 5 song demo (a live 8 track recording) here at Geo Sound with George.

Early in 2002, two CD's; Rich Kaufmann's Common Senses and Clutch Cargo's Wide Open were recorded & Produced by George at Geo Sound and both CD's were featured on WXPN (88.5 fm) as Philly Pick of the Week.

In 2003 after George's father passed away, George started the independent documentary "City of Brotherly Love, a musical journey" as a healing process both mentally & spiritually.

Over the years George has Archived most of his posters, photos, illustrations, and recorded music representing the Philly Underground Scene. On the Archives page you can see many ticket stubs, hand bills, pictures, posters & related items from The Beatles to The Nazz !

Geo Sound continues to be on the cutting edge of the local & national music scene!

 Copyright 2002

Contact George Manney: gsound@verizon.net