TOM McGuinness is a happy man. He is actually famous for always smiling on stage and why not? He plays guitar for one of the greatest 60s bands – The Manfreds, the latter-day incarnation of Manfred Mann, whose hits included Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Pretty Flamingo and Mighty Quinn.

On Tom’s 50th birthday in 1991, the band (with the exception of Manfred Mann himself) played together for the first time since they originally split in 1969, decided they liked what they were doing and have continued ever since.

Along with Tom, there are two other original members still playing in the band: lead vocalist Paul Jones and keyboard player Mike Hugg, who originally played drums.

Occasionally, they are joined by Mike D’Abo, who became lead singer in the band in 1966 when Jones departed for a solo career.

Drummer Rob Townsend, bassist Marcus Cliffe and woodwind player Simon Currie complete the permanent line-up.

The show is usually a bit different when D’Abo isn’t with them, as Tom explains.

"We do around 60 dates a year and 30 to 40 are without him and we do the more bluesy stuff from our first couple of albums.

Of course, the band plays all the hits and some extras, as the London-born guitarist explains.

“As well as the hits, we’re doing a couple of b-sides, one of which – ‘John Hardy’ – is a Leadbelly song.

“We’re hoping to include an instrumental by The Crusaders called ‘Put It Where You Want It’ and ‘Straighten Up And Fly Right and there’s also one of mine called ‘That’s The Blues’.

The blues play a big part in the music of the band as three of The Manfreds: Jones, McGuinness and Townsend, also play in The Blues Band.

The Manfreds manage to fill theatres throughout the country on their own, unlike many other bands from the era, who choose to go out as a package with other bands: "We had more hits than most bands,” Tom says by way of explanation. “We had hits every year from January 1964 to the summer of 1969, and three of them were number ones!”

This year sees the 50th anniversary of one of the bands’ biggest hits – the chart-topping ‘Pretty Flamingo’, and it came at a pivotal time in the groups’ career.

"That was an incredibly troubled time for us as Paul was leaving and we were still looking for a replacement. Then when it got to number one, it made it more daunting. Honestly, we had as many doubts as we had confidence that we’d carry on.”

Carry on they did though and, as Tom says of life today: “I’m having a good time and I’ve never really come to terms with the fact that I’m having fun and getting paid for it.

“I actually remember the first time I got paid. I was in a skiffle band with two school friends and my friend Frank's dad told the landlord of his local about us and they wanted us to play on New Years’ Eve. We were in our mid-teens. Well, we turned up and played the ten songs we knew, and then we played them again.

“At the end of the night we got about five shillings each (25p). We couldn’t believe it! We were getting paid for strumming guitars! I never thought I’d still be here, over 50 years later, making a living at it.

"Making music with friends is the best feeling.”

he Manfreds will be at Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Saturday at 7.30pm. To book, call the box office on 01584 878141 or visit ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk