Manny Elias (born 21 February 1953) is a British drummer and record producer. He is notable for being the original drummer with Tears for Fears during the 1980s.
Elias was born in Kolkata, India, to British parents.[citation needed] He was originally a member of the rock band Interview,[1] from Bathford, Somerset. Elias was in the band Neon; when they disbanded, he and members Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal formed Tears for Fears. Elias began working with Tears for Fears in 1981 and drummed on the albums The Hurting and Songs from the Big Chair,[2] as well as participating in their subsequent tours. Elias is credited as an official member of Tears for Fears on those two albums, and appears in six of the band's promotional videos from that era. In addition, he has co-writing credits on "The Way You Are" and "The Working Hour".[citation needed]
Since parting ways with Tears for Fears in 1986, Elias has provided percussion on albums from such artists as Peter Gabriel, Peter Hammill and Julian Lennon.[citation needed] He was also a member of The Believers, along with Gary Tibbs and Andy Skelton; the band released one album in 1992.[3]
