Mud

Mud was a British glam rock and pop rock band formed in February 1966. The classic lineup featured lead vocalist Les Gray, lead guitarist Rob Davis, drummer Dave Mount, and bassist Ray Stiles. The band achieved major commercial success between 1973 and 1976, securing three UK number-one singles and fourteen Top 20 hits, including ‘Dyna-mite,’ ‘Tiger Feet’ (the UK’s best-selling single of 1974), ‘Lonely This Christmas’ (Christmas number 1 in December 1974), and ‘Oh Boy.’ Their sound blended glam rock with elements of 1950s rock and roll and rockabilly.

After signing to Mickie Most’s Rak Records in the early 1970s, Mud’s commercial breakthrough came through their partnership with producers and songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. In 1975 alone, they dominated the UK charts with seven singles in the Top 40. The band later recorded for Private Stock Records (1975) and RCA (1977), continuing to chart with tracks such as ‘Shake It Down’ and a cover of Bill Withers’ ‘Lean on Me,’ which reached number 7 in December 1976. Their final chart appearance occurred in 1977 as the glam rock era waned.

The original band disbanded in 1980. Ray Stiles subsequently joined the Hollies, while Rob Davis co-wrote successful dance tracks for artists including Kylie Minogue and Spiller. Following Les Gray’s death in 2004, the remaining members continued performing, initially as ‘Mud II.’ Rob Davis and Ray Stiles reunited to perform as Mud from 2015 onward, making the band available for festival appearances and special events.