Touch were a rock band from New York City formed in 1978 and picked up by Rainbow's management. Mark Mangold (songwriter and keyboards), Glen Kithcart (drums), and Craig Brooks (guitars) had all previously been in the band Amercan Tears (releasing three albums on Columbia Records). The lineup was completed by bassist Doug Howard. Their single, "Don't You Know What Love Is" only reached #69 on the Billboard singles Chart.

Touch were the first band to play at the first Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington in 1980, which was headlined by Rainbow. Other bands on the bill were Judas Priest, Scorpions, April Wine, Saxon, and Riot.  A live version of "Don't You Know What Love Is" appeared on the compilation LP Monsters of Rock, documenting performances at the festival. Doug Howard also made Donnington history by being the first musician to swallow a bee during the their performane.The bee stung him in the throat and he had to be rushed to emergency room. To bassist’s amusement, Touch’s manager Bruce Payne announced to worried media crammed outside the van: “It was a touch and go but the doc says the bee will pull through.”

Touch recorded a second album with Todd Rungren, but broke up before it was released.  That was album part of the Touch compilation called "The Complete Works" that was released in 1998.

Mark Mangold went on to work with Bruce Kulick and Michael Bolton on Michael's two 80's Hard Rock albums.  Mangold continues to write and record with his band Drive, She Said.

RCC