MARK MANGOLD (TOUCH, AMERICAN TEARS): “The Producer Of The Second [TOUCH] Record Barely Showed Up, Or Ever”

Touch

Third Time’s The Charm

Touch evolved from the keyboard-laden Rock band American Tears. No longer a trio, Touch was now flush with Prog Rock layers and harmonic vocals that were shared by 3/4 of the group. Touch was the first band to play the stage at the inaugural Monsters of Rock Festival in 1980, sharing the bill with Judas Priest, Rainbow, Saxon, Riot, and the Scorpions.

In 1980 they released their debut album that spawned the top 100 singles “When the Spirit Moves You” and “Don’t You Know What Love Is.” Touch did put together a second album (II) in 1981 that did not see a release until years later, packed with the original Touch album. After 40 years, Touch is back with their third album Tomorrow Never Comes. I had the chance to speak with keyboardist/vocalist/songwriter Mark Mangold about how everything fell into place for a Touch reunion in 2021.

[Watch our Mark Mangold interview on the 2020 American Tears release HERE]

Highlights include

  • Discussion of the new album Tomorrow Never Comes
  • Touch re-uniting after 40 years apart
  • Why they didn’t call the album Touch III
  • How American Tears morphed into Touch in 1978
  • Being the first band ever to play the inaugural Monsters of Rock show in 1980
  • How the lockdowns have been good for creativity
  • His participation in the Touch tribute performance at FireFest 2014
  • … and much, much more!

Touch is

Mark Mangold – Keyboards, Vocals
Craig Brooks – Guitar, Vocals
Glenn Kithcart – Drums, Vocals
Doug Howard – Bass, Vocals

Author

  • George Dionne

    George was a contributor here at Metal Express Radio, reviewing albums and conducting interviews, out of Massachusetts, USA. George has contributed to numerous music related websites and blogs, and even managed his own from 2004-2009. George's first assignment was covering a live show by the mighty GWAR. By contrast his later assignments featured Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Bon Jovi. George was also the front man for the South Eastern Massachusetts cover band Sound Tower from 2009-2015.  Sound Tower played 300+ shows across MA and had two original songs on the Cape Cod radio station PIXY 103. George enjoys a good whiskey, scotch, and/or bourbon and fights crime in his spare time.

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