MUD

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Genre	glam rock, 70s, rock, classic rock, oldies

Mud were an English glam rock band, formed in 1968, best remembered for their single "Tiger Feet" which was the UK's best-selling single of 1974. After joining RAK and teaming up with writers / producers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, this good-time British band had a noteworthy run of hits, including three number ones.

Band members

* Lead guitarist Rob Davis (born Robert Davis, 1 October 1947, Carshalton, Surrey)
* Lead vocalist Les Gray (born Thomas Leslie Gray, 9 April 1946, Carshalton, Surrey. He died of a heart attack on 21 February 2004, Lagos, Portugal)
* Drummer Dave Mount (born David George Mount, 3 March 1947, Carshalton. He died on 2 December 2006, at St Helier's Hospital, Carshalton)
* Bass guitarist Ray Stiles (born Raymond John Stiles, 20 November 1946, Guildford, Surrey)

History

Mud first appeared on the Basil Brush show on BBC TV, and toured as support for Jack Jones. After years of unsuccessful singles, they were signed to Mickie Most's RAK label, and immediately had a Top 20 success with "Crazy".

At the peak of their career they also enjoyed British number one singles with "Tiger Feet"; and "Lonely This Christmas" (1974), an affectionate Elvis Presley pastiche; plus "Oh Boy" (1975), a virtual a cappella cover of the Buddy Holly hit. "Tiger Feet" sold over 500,000 copies in the UK alone, and amassed a million sales globally.

Like contemporaries Sweet, their most successful period came when their records were written and produced by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, and in 1975 they had no fewer than seven singles on the UK Top 40. "Oh Boy" was the only number one single produced by Chinn and Chapman that they did not also write.

"Lonely This Christmas" has become something of an annual fixture on British radio and television, (along with Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" and John Lennon's "Happy Xmas"). Mud also released another single under a different name - after "The Cat Crept In" they released a track from their album Mud Rock, a cover of "In the Mood". This was released under the name of Dum (Mud spelt backwards), but failed to chart. Their last single was "Rico" released in 1980.

The last performance by the four original members was on 3 March 1990 at Dave Mount's wedding, a video recording of which was made by Mount.

Gray later toured as Les Gray's Mud in various line-ups, initially with members of the Bristol based Cherie Beck Band, later with Tim Fish (guitar), Mark Hatwood (Drums) and Kevin Fairburn (Bass), and ultimately with John Berry (bass), Syd Twynham (guitar) and Phil Wilson (drums). Twyham and Wilson still tour the 1970s circuit with Chris Savage (keyboards) and Marc Michalski (bass) as 'Mud II'.

Ray Stiles joined the Hollies; whilst Davis went on to co-write several highly successful dance hits for artists such as Kylie Minogue and Spiller featuring Sophie Ellis Bextor.

Drummer Dave Mount went into the insurance business.

Les Gray died on 21 February 2004 in Portugal, of a heart attack, as a result of throat cancer.

Dave Mount appeared on an episode of Never Mind The Buzzcocks on BBC Two in November 2005, and featured in the "spot the pop star of the past" identity parade segment. Mount took his own life on 2 December 2006. His obituary appeared in The Independent newspaper.

Discography

Singles

* "Flower Power" (1967) Did not chart
* "Up the Airy Mountain" (1968) Did not chart
* "Shangri-La" (1969) Did not chart
* "Jumping Jehosaphat" (1970) Did not chart
* "Crazy" (1973); UK number 12
* "Hypnosis" (1973); UK number 16
* "Dyna-mite" (1973); UK number 4
* "Tiger Feet" (1974); UK number 1
* "The Cat Crept In" (1974); UK number 2
* "Rocket" (1974); UK number 6
* "Lonely This Christmas" (1974); UK number 1
* "The Secrets That You Keep" (1975); UK number 3
* "Oh Boy" (1975); UK number 1
* "Moonshine Sally" (1975); UK number 10
* "One Night" (1975); UK number 32
* "L'L'Lucy" (1975); UK number 10
* "Show Me You're a Woman" (1975); UK number 8
* "Nite on the Tiles" (1976) Did not chart
* "Beating Round the Bush" (1976) Did not chart
* "Shake It Down" (1976); UK number 12
* "Lean on Me" (1976); UK number 7
* "Slow Talking Boy" (1977) Did not chart
* "Just Try a Little Tenderness" (1977) Did not chart
* "Cut Across Shorty" (1978) Did not chart
* "Drift Away" (1978) Did Not Chart
* "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" / "Book of Love" (1979) Did not chart
* "Drop Everything and Run" (1979) Did not chart

Albums

* Mud Rock (1974); UK number 8 - Includes the songs Rocket (song), Do You Love Me, Running Bear, The Hippie Hippie Shake, Shake, Rattle and Roll, Dyna-Mite/The Cat Crept In/Tiger Feet, The End Of The World (song), Blue Moon, In The Mood and Bye Bye Johnny

* Mud Rock Volume 2 (1975); UK number 6 - Includes the songs The Secrets That You Keep, Living Doll, One Night, Tallahassee Lassie, Let's Have A Party, Tobacco Road, Oh Boy, I Love How You Love Me, Hula Love, Diana

* Mud's Greatest Hits (1975); UK number 25 - Compilation album containing Dyna-Mite, Rocket, The Secrets That You Keep, The Cat Crept In, One Night, Oh Boy, Tiger Feet, Hypnosis, Moonshine Sally, Crazy, and Lonely this Christmas

* Use Your Imagination (1975); UK number 33 - Includes R.U. Man Enough?, She’s Got The Devil In Her Eyes, Don’t Knock It, Maybe Tomorrow, 43792 (I’m Bustin’ You), Hair Of The Dog, L’L’Lucy, Show Me You’re A Woman, Bird Dog, Use Your Imagination, and Under The Moon Of Love

* It's Better Than Working (1976) Did not chart - Includes It Don’t Mean A Thing, Beating Round The Bush, I’ve Got A Song, Sweet and Sour Lady, All I’ve Got To Give, Nite On The Tiles, How Many Times? Don’t Talk To Me, Blagging Boogie Blues, Vambo Rools, and Moving On

* Mudpack (1976) Did not chart - Compilation album containing Shake It Down, It Don’t Mean A Thing, Under The Moon Of Love, Sweet and Sour Lady, Show Me You’re A Woman, Beating Round The Bush, L’L’Lucy, Nite On The Tiles, Use Your Imagination, Lean On Me.

* Rock On (1977) Did not chart - Includes Burn On Marlon, Let Me Get (Close To You), Walk Right Back, Who You Gonna Love, Slow Talking Boy, Careless Love, Drift Away, Gotta Good Reason, Too Much Of Nothing, Cut Across Shorty

* As You Like It (1979) Did not chart - Includes Dream Lover, It’s A Show, 1-2-Love, Heaven Was Meant For You, As You Like It, You’ll Like It, So Fine, Right Between The Eyes, Touchdown, Why Do Fools Fall In Love/Book Of Love

* Let's Have A Party; Greatest Hits CD released in 1990 - Includes the songs Crazy, Hypnosis, Dyna-Mite, Tiger Feet, The Cat Crept In, Rocket, Hippy Hippy Shake, The Secrets That You Keep, Oh Boy, Moonshine Sally, One Night, Blue Moon, The End Of The World, Tallahassee Lassie, Let’s Have A Party, Living Doll, Diana, In The Mood, Hula Love, Lonely This Christmas.

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