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| {{short description| |
{{short description|British glam rock band}} | ||
| {{redirect|Dave Mount|the American computer scientist|David Mount}} | {{redirect|Dave Mount|the American computer scientist|David Mount}} | ||
| {{Use British English|date=May 2013}} | {{Use British English|date=May 2013}} | ||
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| {{Infobox musical artist | {{Infobox musical artist | ||
| | name = Mud | | name = Mud | ||
| | image = Mud - TopPop February 1974 |
| image = Mud - TopPop February 1974 01.png | ||
| | caption = Mud in 1974.<br> From left to right: Dave Mount, |
| caption = Mud in 1974.<br> From left to right: Dave Mount, Ray Stiles, ], ]. | ||
| | background = group_or_band | | background = group_or_band | ||
| | origin = ], ], England | | origin = ], ], England | ||
| | genre = {{Hlist|]|]|]|]}} | | genre = {{Hlist|]|]|]|]}} | ||
| | occupation = | | occupation = | ||
| | years_active = 1966–1980 |
| years_active = {{hlist|1966–1980|2015–present}} | ||
| | networth = | | networth = | ||
| | label = ] |
| label = {{hlist|]|]|]}} | ||
| | alias = Dum <small>(1974)</small><br>Ring <small>(1979–1980)</small> | | alias = Dum <small>(1974)</small><br>Ring <small>(1979–1980)</small> | ||
| | current_members = ]<br/> |
| current_members = ]<br/>Ray Stiles<br/>Keith Read<br/>]<br/>] | ||
| | past_members = ]<br/>Dave Mount<br/>Andy Ball<br/>Brian Tatum<br/>] | | past_members = ]<br/>Dave Mount<br/>Andy Ball<br/>Brian Tatum<br/>] | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
| | genre = | | genre = | ||
| | occupation = | | occupation = | ||
| | years_active = 1980–2004 |
| years_active = {{hlist|1980–2004|2004–present}} | ||
| | networth = | | networth = | ||
| | label = | | label = | ||
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| }} | }} | ||
| '''Mud''' are an English ] band, formed in February 1966. Their earlier success came in a pop and then glam rock style, while later hits were influenced by 1950s ] and ],<ref></ref> and they are best remembered for their hit ] "]" |
'''Mud''' are an English ] band, formed in February 1966. Their earlier success came in a pop and then glam rock style, while later hits were influenced by 1950s ] and ],<ref></ref> and they are best remembered for their hit ] "]", "]", which was the UK's best-selling single of 1974, and "]" which reached ] in December 1974. After signing to ] and teaming up with songwriters/] ] and ], the band had fourteen UK Top 20 hits between 1973 and 1976, including three number ones.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=David|title=British Hit Singles & Albums|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|year=2006|isbn=1-904994-10-5|edition=19th|location=London|page=382}}</ref> | ||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| === Mud === | === Mud === | ||
| ==== 1966–1972: the early years ==== | ==== 1966–1972: the early years ==== | ||
| The band was founded by lead guitarist ],<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs"/> lead vocalist ],<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book| first= Joseph| last= Murrells| year= 1978| title= The Book of Golden Discs| edition= 2nd| publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd| location= London| page= | isbn= 0-214-20512-6| url-access= registration| url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/348}}</ref> drummer Dave Mount (born 3 March 1947,<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs"/> Carshalton; died 2 December 2006, St Helier Hospital, Carshalton<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2083882.ece |location=London |newspaper=] |title=Stephen Glover: A prissy judgement by the PCC |date=20 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070108202830/http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2083882.ece |archive-date=8 January 2007 }}</ref>) and bassist |
The band was founded by lead guitarist ],<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs"/> lead vocalist ],<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book| first= Joseph| last= Murrells| year= 1978| title= The Book of Golden Discs| edition= 2nd| publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd| location= London| page= | isbn= 0-214-20512-6| url-access= registration| url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/348}}</ref> drummer Dave Mount (born 3 March 1947,<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs"/> Carshalton; died 2 December 2006, St Helier Hospital, Carshalton<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2083882.ece |location=London |newspaper=] |title=Stephen Glover: A prissy judgement by the PCC |date=20 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070108202830/http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2083882.ece |archive-date=8 January 2007 }}</ref>) and bassist Ray Stiles (born 20 November 1946,<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs"/> ], Surrey). | ||
| The band released their debut single "Flower Power" on CBS in 1967, but were not immediately successful.<ref>{{cite book|last=D'Agostino|first=Giulio|title=Glam Musik: British Glam Music '70 History|year=2001|page=193|quote="Mud's Discography Date Label Tracks Highest 1967 CBS203002 "Flower Power"/"You're My Mother"|isbn=0-595-16563-X}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Rock Movers and Shakers: An A-Z of People Who Made Rock Happen|page=354|last1=Rees|first1=Dafydd|last2=Crampton|first2=Luke|year=1991|quote="MUD.. Apr They make their first live appearance at Streatham Ice Rink, South London, and release one-off debut single "Flower Power", for CBS. ... After 2 years' gigging as a semi-professional band, Mud turns professional and re-signs with CBS, releasing "Up The Airy Mountain"|isbn=978-0874366617}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=]|volume=10|page=57|last=Larkin|first=Colin|year=2006|isbn=978-1846098567|quote="Their debut single for CBS Records, 1967's 'Flower Power', was unsuccessful but they continued touring for several ..."}}</ref> Three further singles in 1967/68, "Up the Airy Mountain"/"The Latter Days", "Shangri-La"/"House on the Hill" and "Jumping Jehosophat"/"Won't Let It Go", made no impression on the UK Singles Chart. | The band released their debut single "Flower Power" on CBS in 1967, but were not immediately successful.<ref>{{cite book|last=D'Agostino|first=Giulio|title=Glam Musik: British Glam Music '70 History|year=2001|page=193|quote="Mud's Discography Date Label Tracks Highest 1967 CBS203002 "Flower Power"/"You're My Mother"|isbn=0-595-16563-X}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Rock Movers and Shakers: An A-Z of People Who Made Rock Happen|page=354|last1=Rees|first1=Dafydd|last2=Crampton|first2=Luke|year=1991|quote="MUD.. Apr They make their first live appearance at Streatham Ice Rink, South London, and release one-off debut single "Flower Power", for CBS. ... After 2 years' gigging as a semi-professional band, Mud turns professional and re-signs with CBS, releasing "Up The Airy Mountain"|isbn=978-0874366617}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=]|volume=10|page=57|last=Larkin|first=Colin|year=2006|isbn=978-1846098567|quote="Their debut single for CBS Records, 1967's 'Flower Power', was unsuccessful but they continued touring for several ..."}}</ref> Three further singles in 1967/68, "Up the Airy Mountain"/"The Latter Days", "Shangri-La"/"House on the Hill" and "Jumping Jehosophat"/"Won't Let It Go", made no impression on the UK Singles Chart. | ||
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| | isbn= 0-85112-250-7}}</ref> | | isbn= 0-85112-250-7}}</ref> | ||
| "]" got seasonal airplay on British ] and television, (along with ]'s "]" and ]'s "]"). The band also embraced the burgeoning ] craze, as exemplified on their 1976 single "Shake It Down" which reached No. 12 in the UK chart. After "Tiger Feet" they released "The Cat Crept In" which reached No. 2 in April 1974, which was written to exploit Les Gray's vocal impression of Presley.<ref>{{cite web|last=Eder |first=Bruce |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mud-mn0000508805 |title=Mud - Music Biography, Credits and Discography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=5 July 2013}}</ref> Their next single "Rocket" reached No. 6 in the UK, after which they released another track from their album ''Mud Rock'', a cover of "]". This was released under the band name "Dum" (which is both "Mud" spelt backwards and on a largely instrumental single, hence a pun on "dumb"), but it failed to chart. | "]" got seasonal airplay on British ] and television, (along with ]'s "]" and ]'s "]"). The band also embraced the burgeoning ] craze, as exemplified on their 1976 single "Shake It Down" which reached No. 12 in the UK chart. After "Tiger Feet" they released "The Cat Crept In" which reached No. 2 in April 1974, which was written to exploit Les Gray's vocal impression of Presley.<ref>{{cite web|last=Eder |first=Bruce |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mud-mn0000508805 |title=Mud - Music Biography, Credits and Discography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=5 July 2013}}</ref> Their next single "Rocket" reached No. 6 in the UK, after which they released another track from their album ''Mud Rock Volume 1'', a cover of "]". This was released under the band name "Dum" (which is both "Mud" spelt backwards and on a largely instrumental single, hence a pun on "dumb"), but it failed to chart. | ||
| After the success with "Lonely This Christmas", they cracked the ] market with "The Secrets That You Keep", which reached No. 3 in February 1975. Around this time Mud wound up their contract with ] releasing three further singles, "]" (their third and final UK No. 1), "Moonshine Sally" (No. 10) and "One Night" (No. 32). Mud also split from Chinn and Chapman in mid-1975 and signed to ] (licensed to ] in Continental Europe). There they enjoyed three more British Top 20 hits within seven months: "L'L'Lucy" (No. 10), the ballad "Show Me You're a Woman" (No. 8) and the disco-influenced track "Shake It Down" (No. 12). The latter two singles saw them gradually moving away from glam rock, which was now unfashionable. Keyboardist Andy Ball, formerly of ], joined Mud in 1975, and was with the band during their time on the Private Stock label. Ball left the band in 1977 was replaced by Brian Tatum.<ref name="mudrock1">{{cite web |url=http://www.mudrock.org.uk/story/thecast.htm |title=The MUD Story - The Cast |publisher=Mudrock.org.uk |date=7 October 1947 |access-date=1 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203154113/http://www.mudrock.org.uk/story/thecast.htm |archive-date=3 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | After the success with "Lonely This Christmas", they cracked the ] market with "The Secrets That You Keep", which reached No. 3 in February 1975. Around this time Mud wound up their contract with ] releasing three further singles, "]" (their third and final UK No. 1), "Moonshine Sally" (No. 10) and "One Night" (No. 32). Mud also split from Chinn and Chapman in mid-1975 and signed to ] (licensed to ] in Continental Europe). There they enjoyed three more British Top 20 hits within seven months: "L'L'Lucy" (No. 10), the ballad "Show Me You're a Woman" (No. 8) and the disco-influenced track "Shake It Down" (No. 12). The latter two singles saw them gradually moving away from glam rock, which was now unfashionable. Keyboardist Andy Ball, formerly of ], joined Mud in 1975, and was with the band during their time on the Private Stock label. Ball left the band in 1977 and was replaced by Brian Tatum.<ref name="mudrock1">{{cite web |url=http://www.mudrock.org.uk/story/thecast.htm |title=The MUD Story - The Cast |publisher=Mudrock.org.uk |date=7 October 1947 |access-date=1 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203154113/http://www.mudrock.org.uk/story/thecast.htm |archive-date=3 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
| Their last single to reach the British charts was a cover of the ] song "]" which reached No. 7 in the UK in December 1976.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> | Their last single to reach the British charts was a cover of the ] song "]" which reached No. 7 in the UK in December 1976.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> | ||
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| "Lean on me" was followed by in 1977 Gray's solo version of "]" on ], which peaked at No. 32 in the UK. Also in 1977, with Private Stock in financial difficulties, the band moved to ]. Their first single on RCA was "Slow Talking Boy", a ] song composed by ],<ref name="cat1">{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/artist/mud |title=Mud Discography - UK |publisher=45cat |access-date=1 December 2013}}</ref> and featuring Davis playing a Vox 12-string guitar-mandolin; they performed this song on BBC TV's '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPXFwXDc5Cs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523214424/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPXFwXDc5Cs |archive-date=2014-05-23 |url-status=dead|title=Mud - Slow Talking Boy |publisher=YouTube |date=27 November 2011 |access-date=1 December 2013}}</ref> but without reaping any chart success. Mud's next single, "(Just Try) A Little Tenderness", was their final appearance on any major national chart, stalling at No. 98 in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hung |first=Steffen |url=http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=35324 |title=Forum - Top Singles of 1977 (Personal Charts: Your Special Occasion Charts) |publisher=australian-charts.com |access-date=1 December 2013}}</ref> Three more singles, all cover versions, followed in 1978<ref name="cat1"/> before ] dropped the band and Gray quit for a solo career. | "Lean on me" was followed by in 1977 Gray's solo version of "]" on ], which peaked at No. 32 in the UK. Also in 1977, with Private Stock in financial difficulties, the band moved to ]. Their first single on RCA was "Slow Talking Boy", a ] song composed by ],<ref name="cat1">{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/artist/mud |title=Mud Discography - UK |publisher=45cat |access-date=1 December 2013}}</ref> and featuring Davis playing a Vox 12-string guitar-mandolin; they performed this song on BBC TV's '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPXFwXDc5Cs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523214424/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPXFwXDc5Cs |archive-date=2014-05-23 |url-status=dead|title=Mud - Slow Talking Boy |publisher=YouTube |date=27 November 2011 |access-date=1 December 2013}}</ref> but without reaping any chart success. Mud's next single, "(Just Try) A Little Tenderness", was their final appearance on any major national chart, stalling at No. 98 in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hung |first=Steffen |url=http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=35324 |title=Forum - Top Singles of 1977 (Personal Charts: Your Special Occasion Charts) |publisher=australian-charts.com |access-date=1 December 2013}}</ref> Three more singles, all cover versions, followed in 1978<ref name="cat1"/> before ] dropped the band and Gray quit for a solo career. | ||
| The original band continued for a short while with female lead vocalist Margo Buchanan in Gray's place,<ref name="mudrock1"/> releasing a commercially unsuccessful single for ] in 1979 |
The original band continued for a short while with female lead vocalist Margo Buchanan in Gray's place,<ref name="mudrock1"/> releasing a commercially unsuccessful single for ] in 1979 titled "Drop Everything and Run".<ref name="cat1"/> Another single with Margo Buchanan on lead vocals, "Rico", was released in 1980, this time under the band name "Ring" instead of "Mud". The band finally disbanded in 1980. | ||
| ==== Aftermath ==== | ==== Aftermath ==== | ||
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| ;Current members (Mud) | ;Current members (Mud) | ||
| * ''']''' - lead guitar, vocals <small>(1966–1980, 2015–present) </small> | * ''']''' - lead guitar, vocals <small>(1966–1980, 2015–present) </small> | ||
| * ''' |
* '''Ray Stiles''' - bass guitar, lead vocals <small>(1966–1980, 2015–present) </small> | ||
| * Keith Read - rhythm guitar <small>(2015–present) </small> | * Keith Read - rhythm guitar and vocals <small>(2015–present) </small> | ||
| * ] - drums <small>(2015–present) </small> | * ] - drums and vocals <small>(2015–present) </small> | ||
| * ] - keyboards and vocal <small>(2015–present) </small> | |||
| ;Current members (Mud II) | ;Current members (Mud II) | ||
| * Syd Twynham - lead guitar, lead vocals <small>(1987-present) </small> | * Syd Twynham - lead guitar, lead vocals <small>(1987-present) </small> | ||
| Line 113: | Line 113: | ||
| * Andy Ball - keyboards <small>(1975–1977)</small> | * Andy Ball - keyboards <small>(1975–1977)</small> | ||
| * Brian Tatum - keyboards <small>(1977–1980)</small> | * Brian Tatum - keyboards <small>(1977–1980)</small> | ||
| * Margo Buchanan - lead vocals <small>(1979–1980)</small> | * ] - lead vocals <small>(1979–1980)</small> | ||
| ;Former members (Les Gray's Mud / Mud II) | ;Former members (Les Gray's Mud / Mud II) | ||
| * Stuart Amesbury - rhythm guitar <small>(1980–1985)</small> | * Stuart Amesbury - rhythm guitar <small>(1980–1985)</small> | ||
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| * ''']''' - lead vocals, keyboards | * ''']''' - lead vocals, keyboards | ||
| * '''Dave Mount''' - drums, percussion | * '''Dave Mount''' - drums, percussion | ||
| * ''' |
* '''Ray Stiles''' - bass guitar, lead vocals | ||
| | valign=top | | | valign=top | | ||
| * '''Rob Davis''' - lead guitar | * '''Rob Davis''' - lead guitar | ||
| Line 234: | Line 234: | ||
| ===Timeline=== | ===Timeline=== | ||
| {{#tag:timeline| | {{#tag:timeline| | ||
| ImageSize = width:800 height: |
ImageSize = width:800 height:550 | ||
| PlotArea = left: |
PlotArea = left:90 bottom:130 top:0 right:0 | ||
| DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy | DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy | ||
| Alignbars = justify | Alignbars = justify | ||
| Period = from:01/01/1966 till: |
Period = from:01/01/1966 till:{{#time:d/m/Y}} | ||
| TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy | TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy | ||
| ScaleMajor = increment:5 start: |
ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1966 | ||
| ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1966 | ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1966 | ||
| Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:2 | Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:2 | ||
| Colors = | Colors = | ||
| id:v value:red legend: |
id:v value:red legend:Lead_vocals | ||
| id:g value:teal legend: |
id:g value:teal legend:Lead_guitar | ||
| id:r value:brightgreen legend: |
id:r value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar | ||
| id:k value:purple legend:Keyboards | id:k value:purple legend:Keyboards | ||
| id:b value:blue legend: |
id:b value:blue legend:Bass_guitar | ||
| id:d value:orange legend:Drums, |
id:d value:orange legend:Drums,_percussion | ||
| id:bv value:pink legend: |
id:bv value:pink legend:Backing_vocals | ||
| LineData = | LineData = | ||
| layer:back width: 1 | layer:back width: 1 | ||
| PlotData = | PlotData = | ||
| width:11 textcolor:black align:left | width:11 textcolor:black align:left | ||
| Line 264: | Line 266: | ||
| bar:Rob Davis from:start till:01/06/1980 color:r width:3 | bar:Rob Davis from:start till:01/06/1980 color:r width:3 | ||
| bar:Rob Davis from:01/01/2015 till:end color:g | bar:Rob Davis from:01/01/2015 till:end color:g | ||
| bar:Rob Davis from:01/01/2015 till:end color: |
bar:Rob Davis from:01/01/2015 till:end color:v width:3 | ||
| bar:Nick Richie from:01/06/1980 till:01/01/1983 color:g | bar:Nick Richie from:01/06/1980 till:01/01/1983 color:g | ||
| bar:Tim Fish from:01/01/1983 till:01/01/1987 color:g | bar:Tim Fish from:01/01/1983 till:01/01/1987 color:g | ||
| Line 276: | Line 278: | ||
| bar:Andy Ball from:01/06/1975 till:01/03/1977 color:k | bar:Andy Ball from:01/06/1975 till:01/03/1977 color:k | ||
| bar:Brian Tatum from:01/03/1977 till:01/06/1980 color:k | bar:Brian Tatum from:01/03/1977 till:01/06/1980 color:k | ||
| bar:Brian Tatum from:01/03/1977 till:01/06/1980 color:v width:3 | |||
| bar:Chris Savage from:01/01/2004 till:end color:k | bar:Chris Savage from:01/01/2004 till:end color:k | ||
| bar:Ray Stiles from:start till:01/06/1980 color:b | bar:Ray Stiles from:start till:01/06/1980 color:b | ||
| Line 295: | Line 296: | ||
| bar:Cherie Beck from:01/06/1980 till:01/01/1985 color:bv | bar:Cherie Beck from:01/06/1980 till:01/01/1985 color:bv | ||
| bar: width:15 align:center textcolor:black fontsize:8 shift:(0,-5) | bar: width:15 align:center textcolor:black fontsize:8 shift:(0,-5) | ||
| from:start till: |
from:start till:20/12/1979 text:Mud color:tan1 | ||
| from: |
from:20/12/1979 till:01/06/1980 text:Ring color:tan2 | ||
| from:01/06/1980 till:01/01/2004 text:"Les Gray's Mud" color: |
from:01/06/1980 till:01/01/2004 text:"Les Gray's Mud" color:tan1 textcolor:black | ||
| from:01/01/2004 till:01/01/2015 text:"Mud II" color: |
from:01/01/2004 till:01/01/2015 text:"Mud II" color:tan2 textcolor:black | ||
| from:01/01/2015 till:end text:"Mud / Mud II" color: |
from:01/01/2015 till:end text:"Mud / Mud II" color:tan1 textcolor:black | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| Line 305: | Line 306: | ||
| {{Main|Mud discography}} | {{Main|Mud discography}} | ||
| '''Studio Albums''' | '''Studio Albums''' | ||
| *''Mud Rock'' (1974) | *''Mud Rock Volume 1'' (1974) | ||
| *''Mud Rock |
*''Mud Rock Volume 2'' (1975) | ||
| *''Use Your Imagination'' (1975) | *''Use Your Imagination'' (1975) | ||
| *''It's Better Than Working'' (1976) | *''It's Better Than Working'' (1976) | ||
| Line 331: | Line 332: | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:03, 28 December 2024
British glam rock band "Dave Mount" redirects here. For the American computer scientist, see David Mount.
| Mud | |
|---|---|
 Mud in 1974.From left to right: Dave Mount, Ray Stiles, Les Gray, Rob Davis. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Dum (1974) Ring (1979–1980) |
| Origin | Carshalton, Surrey, England |
| Genres | |
| Years active |
|
| Labels | |
| Members | Rob Davis Ray Stiles Keith Read Pete Phipps Ian Parker |
| Past members | Les Gray Dave Mount Andy Ball Brian Tatum Margo Buchanan |
| Mud II | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Les Gray's Mud (1980-2004) |
| Years active |
|
| Members | Syd Twynham Chris Savage Marc Michalski Chris Millward |
| Past members | Les Gray Stuart Amesbury Cherie Beck Dale Fry Rob John Nick Richie Tim Fish Mark Hatwood Kevin Fairburn John Berry Wole Rother Phil Wilson |
Mud are an English glam rock band, formed in February 1966. Their earlier success came in a pop and then glam rock style, while later hits were influenced by 1950s rock and roll and rockabilly, and they are best remembered for their hit singles "Dyna-mite", "Tiger Feet", which was the UK's best-selling single of 1974, and "Lonely This Christmas" which reached Christmas number 1 in December 1974. After signing to Rak Records and teaming up with songwriters/producers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, the band had fourteen UK Top 20 hits between 1973 and 1976, including three number ones.
History
Mud
1966–1972: the early years
The band was founded by lead guitarist Rob Davis, lead vocalist Les Gray, drummer Dave Mount (born 3 March 1947, Carshalton; died 2 December 2006, St Helier Hospital, Carshalton) and bassist Ray Stiles (born 20 November 1946, Guildford, Surrey).
The band released their debut single "Flower Power" on CBS in 1967, but were not immediately successful. Three further singles in 1967/68, "Up the Airy Mountain"/"The Latter Days", "Shangri-La"/"House on the Hill" and "Jumping Jehosophat"/"Won't Let It Go", made no impression on the UK Singles Chart.
The band appeared on The Basil Brush Show on BBC TV, and toured as support for Jack Jones.
1973–1976: the golden years
After years of unsuccessful singles, they were signed to Mickie Most's Rak label, and had three Top 20 successes in 1973 with "Crazy" (No. 12), "Hypnosis" (No. 16) and "Dyna-mite" (No. 4).
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 cover of the Buddy Holly hit, which also featured on their album Mud Rock Volume 2. "Tiger Feet" sold over 500,000 copies in the UK and a million copies globally.
Like contemporaries Sweet, their most successful period came when their records were written and produced by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman: in 1975 they had seven singles in the UK Top 40 totalling over 45 weeks on the chart, the most by any artist in 1975. "Oh Boy" was the only number one single produced by Chinn and Chapman that they did not also write.
"Lonely This Christmas" got seasonal airplay on British radio and television, (along with Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" and Wizzard's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday"). The band also embraced the burgeoning disco craze, as exemplified on their 1976 single "Shake It Down" which reached No. 12 in the UK chart. After "Tiger Feet" they released "The Cat Crept In" which reached No. 2 in April 1974, which was written to exploit Les Gray's vocal impression of Presley. Their next single "Rocket" reached No. 6 in the UK, after which they released another track from their album Mud Rock Volume 1, a cover of "In the Mood". This was released under the band name "Dum" (which is both "Mud" spelt backwards and on a largely instrumental single, hence a pun on "dumb"), but it failed to chart.
After the success with "Lonely This Christmas", they cracked the Valentine's Day market with "The Secrets That You Keep", which reached No. 3 in February 1975. Around this time Mud wound up their contract with Rak releasing three further singles, "Oh Boy" (their third and final UK No. 1), "Moonshine Sally" (No. 10) and "One Night" (No. 32). Mud also split from Chinn and Chapman in mid-1975 and signed to Private Stock (licensed to Philips in Continental Europe). There they enjoyed three more British Top 20 hits within seven months: "L'L'Lucy" (No. 10), the ballad "Show Me You're a Woman" (No. 8) and the disco-influenced track "Shake It Down" (No. 12). The latter two singles saw them gradually moving away from glam rock, which was now unfashionable. Keyboardist Andy Ball, formerly of Candlewick Green, joined Mud in 1975, and was with the band during their time on the Private Stock label. Ball left the band in 1977 and was replaced by Brian Tatum.
Their last single to reach the British charts was a cover of the Bill Withers song "Lean on Me" which reached No. 7 in the UK in December 1976.
1977–1980: downfall to disbanding
"Lean on me" was followed by in 1977 Gray's solo version of "Groovy Kind of Love" on Warner Bros., which peaked at No. 32 in the UK. Also in 1977, with Private Stock in financial difficulties, the band moved to RCA. Their first single on RCA was "Slow Talking Boy", a folk rock song composed by John Kongos, and featuring Davis playing a Vox 12-string guitar-mandolin; they performed this song on BBC TV's Top of the Pops, but without reaping any chart success. Mud's next single, "(Just Try) A Little Tenderness", was their final appearance on any major national chart, stalling at No. 98 in Australia. Three more singles, all cover versions, followed in 1978 before RCA dropped the band and Gray quit for a solo career.
The original band continued for a short while with female lead vocalist Margo Buchanan in Gray's place, releasing a commercially unsuccessful single for Carrere in 1979 titled "Drop Everything and Run". Another single with Margo Buchanan on lead vocals, "Rico", was released in 1980, this time under the band name "Ring" instead of "Mud". The band finally disbanded in 1980.
Aftermath
Following the band's dissolution, Stiles joined the Hollies; whilst Davis went on to co-write several highly successful dance hits for Kylie Minogue and Spiller featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Drummer Mount went into the insurance business. 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. He had been married twice and worked as a salesman latterly. His obituary appeared in The Independent newspaper. 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.
1980–2004: Les Gray's Mud
After the original band broke up in 1980, Gray reformed the band as 'Les Gray's Mud'. The initial lineup featured Stuart Amesbury (rhythm guitar) and Cherie Beck (backing vocals) of the Bristol-based Cherie Beck Band; together with Dale Fry (bass), Nick Richie (lead guitar) and Rob John (drums); with the latter two being replaced in 1983 by guitarist Tim Fish and drummer Mark Hatwood respectively. In 1985, a further lineup change saw Amesbury, Beck, and Fry depart the band; with the new lineup being rounded out by Kevin Fairburn on bass.
In 1987, all members with the exception of Gray departed the band, and Gray brought in bassist John Berry, drummer Wole Rothe, and guitarist Syd Twynham as replacements. Rothe and Twynham had both been members of Liquid Gold prior to joining Mud. This lineup lasted until 1998 when Rothe was replaced by Phil Wilson, and the band underwent no further changes until Gray died in 2004.
2005–present: Mud II
Following Gray's death, the three remaining members were given permission by the other founding members of Mud, plus that of Gray's family, to continue using the band's name. Berry, Twynham, and Wilson then rechristened the band 'Mud II' and recruited keyboardist and longterm Mud collaborator Chris Savage. The following year, Berry left (to focus on performing with Slade) and was replaced by Marc Michalski, creating a lineup of the band which continued until April 2023, when Chris Millward replaced Phil Wilson on drums.
Mount died on 2 December 2006, aged 59, from an apparent suicide.
A short version of "Tiger Feet" was played at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics.
2015–present: Mud revived
Since 2015, founder members Rob Davis and Ray Stiles have been performing together again under the band name 'Mud', alongside Keith Read and Pete Phipps.
Personnel
Members
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Lineups
| 1966-1975 | 1975-1977 | 1977-1978 | 1979 |
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| 1979-1980 (Ring) |
1980-1983 (Les Gray's Mud) |
1983-1985 (Les Gray's Mud) |
1985-1987 (Les Gray's Mud) |
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| 1987-1998 (Les Gray's Mud) |
1998-2004 (Les Gray's Mud) |
2004-2005 (Mud II) |
2005–2023 (Mud II) |
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| 2015–present (Mud) |
2023–present (Mud II) | ||
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Timeline
Discography
Main article: Mud discographyStudio Albums
- Mud Rock Volume 1 (1974)
- Mud Rock Volume 2 (1975)
- Use Your Imagination (1975)
- It's Better Than Working (1976)
- Rock On (1978)
- As You Like It (1979)
- Mud Featuring Les Gray (1982)
References
- Mud biography at the Allmusic website
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 382. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 348. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- "Stephen Glover: A prissy judgement by the PCC". The Independent. London. 20 September 2010. Archived from the original on 8 January 2007.
- D'Agostino, Giulio (2001). Glam Musik: British Glam Music '70 History. p. 193. ISBN 0-595-16563-X.
Mud's Discography Date Label Tracks Highest 1967 CBS203002 "Flower Power"/"You're My Mother
- Rees, Dafydd; Crampton, Luke (1991). Rock Movers and Shakers: An A-Z of People Who Made Rock Happen. p. 354. ISBN 978-0874366617.
MUD.. Apr They make their first live appearance at Streatham Ice Rink, South London, and release one-off debut single "Flower Power", for CBS. ... After 2 years' gigging as a semi-professional band, Mud turns professional and re-signs with CBS, releasing "Up The Airy Mountain
- Larkin, Colin (2006). Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 10. p. 57. ISBN 978-1846098567.
Their debut single for CBS Records, 1967's 'Flower Power', was unsuccessful but they continued touring for several ...
- Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 167. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
- Eder, Bruce. "Mud - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ "The MUD Story - The Cast". Mudrock.org.uk. 7 October 1947. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ "Mud Discography - UK". 45cat. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- "Mud - Slow Talking Boy". YouTube. 27 November 2011. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- Hung, Steffen. "Forum - Top Singles of 1977 (Personal Charts: Your Special Occasion Charts)". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- "Dave Mount". The Independent. London. 18 December 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
- "Stargazer". Bristolarchiverecords.com. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
- "Kevin Fairburn - Bassist". Lemonrock.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- "The Cast". davidproffitt.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- "Tribute to Dave Mount RIP - CPFC BBS". www.cpfc.org. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- Proffitt, David. "Mud Revived". Retrieved 12 May 2023.
External links
- Mud biography at the Allmusic website
- David Proffitt's Mud tribute pages
- BBC Top of the Pops Mud section
- Mud's discography, chart positions
- Mud CD reissues available