Mud were,
Les Gray--Vocals,
Rob Davies--Lead/Rythmn Guitar,
Ray Stiles--Bass Guitar,
Dave Mount--Drums.
They came from Carshalton in Surrey and had played as a group for several years in the late 1960s.
A chance meeting with producer "Mickie Most"in 1972 would send Mud on their way to stardom.
Mickie was a highly succesful producer having worked with Hermans Hermits and The Animals.
He enlisted the help of songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman who succesfully wrote hits
for many other artists including
"The Sweet" to complete the formula.
In 1973 Mud released their first single "Crazy" which peaked at number 12 in the UK.
The next Single was similar sounding with a tango beat "Hypnosis" this got to number 16.
At this point in time the band were wearing casual clothing on stage.
The Glam rock scene was well under way and a new image was required.
One thing to mention here was that Les Gray's vocals sounded uncannily like Elvis Presley's.
So therefore they hit on the idea of wearing 1950s Teddy Boy clothes.
This along with some dance steps stolen from "The Shadows" created a sensation.
The hits started with the release of "Dynamite" in 1973.
Click Here to watch a clip of Dynamite
Then the Massively successful "Tiger Feet" hitting the number one slot in 1974.
(Becoming the biggest selling single of the year and a worldwide hit).
More hits followed with " The Cat Crept in", "Rocket",
"Lonely This Christmas"( taking the coveted number one slot for Christmas 1974)
"The Secrets That You Keep", "Oh Boy", "Moonshine Sally"," One Night",
"L-L-Lucy"and "Show me Down" in 1975.
Mud did sellout UK and European tours.They were just such a fun band to see and hear.
Their last hit was "Lean on Me" in 1976.
At this time the event of Punk Rock swept aside most glam rock artists and by 1978 Mud split.
Guitarist Rob Davies joined the group "Darts" and is now a very succesful producer writing hits for Kylie minogue etc.
Dave Mount left the music business altogether but has made a recent return to the music scene.
Ray Stiles joined "The Hollies" and Les Gray continued with Les Gray's Mud.
Performing the UK and tours of europe until February 2004.
The original members had reunited on a couple of occasions over the years to play various concerts.
Still sounding as good if not better than they did in their 70s heyday.
Ill health had plagued Les Gray for many years due to his smoking habit of 50 a day!!
Sadly Les Gray died of heart failure in February 2004 aged 58.
(Ironically on the 30th Anniversary of their greatest hit "Tiger Feet" becoming number one).
Drummer Dave Mount died by his own hands in December 2006.
Mud will always be remembered as a great time band!
Click on the link below to see Mud performge
