MUD II
MUD II
The sad passing of Les Gray left a massive void on the 70’s circuit, but now the sound and hits so well nurtured and performed by Les will continue courtesy of his estate and members of the band who played and performed alongside him.
The band now perform all the well loved hits with energy and accuracy. The tight vocal harmonies and gritty guitar work so reminiscent of the original band perfectly replicated in a show that will have everybody stomping their Tigerfeet.
Since this line-up emerged in 2005 they have played many festivals, concert halls and theatres including three nationwide tours and worked with many artists such as Slade, Roy Wood, The Rubettes, Showaddywaddy and Les McKeown. Always bringing a spirit of fun which leaves the audience singing and dancing along with them.
Syd Twynham became a professional musician in 1974 when he joined pop rock band Hector, with whom he toured extensively in the UK and Scandinavia. In 1976 he joined rock band Babe Ruth, with Ellie Hope (Ellie was the female singer featured on Oh boy) and Ray Knott. When Babe Ruth split Syd and other members formed Liquid Gold who went on to achieve world wide chart success with a string of hits, it was during this time that Syd first met Les Gray, Rob Davis, Ray Stiles and Dave Mount, collectively known as MUD. Syd joined the line-up of MUD in the early eighties playing alongside Les, Rob, Dave, and Ray, unfortunately due to his commitments with Liquid Gold who were by then at No.2 in the UK singles chart with “Dance Yourself Dizzy”, Syd had to take a break from MUD. In 1987 Syd re-joined Les with fellow Liquid Gold member Wole Rothe on drums and bassist John Berry, together as Les Gray’s Mud they toured all over the UK, Europe and as far as the Middle East. In 1998 Phil Wilson replaced Wole Rothe on drums and alongside Les, Syd and John this line up continued up until Les Gray’s last performance in Belgium on 7th December 2002, after a lengthy illness sadly Les passed away on 21st February 2004.
After consultation with original members and Les Gray’s estate it was decided to put the current line up together and tour as MUD II featuring members of Les Gray’s Mud.
PHIL WILSON’s first introduction to touring as a professional musician was a lengthy tour of Switzerland, he has played with a number of 60’s and 70’s bands including Brian Poole, Screaming Lord Sutch and Brian Connolly’s Sweet. Phil has made numerous appearances on TV both in the UK and Europe, he has also played many of the top venues including the NEC Arena, Wembley Arena, Hammersmith Apollo and the Sport Paleis in Antwerp. Phil is a powerhouse of a drummer whose style suits Mud’s music perfectly keeping that driving beat going and making people stomp their feet.…they just can’t help it!
CHRIS SAVAGE’S relationship with Les Gray’s Mud spans over 18 years, during this time he played with Syd Twynham, John Berry and Wole Rothe in The Escorts. He was initially introduced to the music industry in the Mike Batt/Abba production of Abracadabra, during which he worked alongside Elaine Paige and B A Robertson. He has worked extensively in the studio and is credited on many albums, including Spencer James from the Searchers and many other 60’s acts. In 1996 Chris joined the Glen Mitchell band whose albums were produced by the legendary Chip Young (Elvis’s Producer) and reached No.1 in the country charts. During these times Chris has always continued to be involved in all things Mud! and is at his happiest meditating in his Tigerskin creepers. Chris never fails to keep the band amused on countless long journeys and while sitting around in dressing rooms with his anecdotes and stories.
MARC MICHALSKI is the newest member of the band joining just before the 2005 Christmas tour, he has been playing bass guitar for over twenty years, working with the likes of Chris Andrews, Clive Bunker, (Jethro Tull, Blodwyn Pig) and Andy Pyle (Gary Moore, BB King, Paul McCartney). A lot of this time has been studio based, engineering and producing such acts as Bernie Marsden (of Whitesnake fame). His no nonsense solid bass playing style fits perfectly with Mud’s music. He has appeared at the SECC, Eindhoven Jazz and Blues festival, Sports Paleis, Antwerp and the world famous 100 Club in London.
THE HITS & CHART POSITIONS
CRAZY (12)
HYPNOSIS (16)
DYNA-MITE (4)
TIGER FEET (1)
THE CAT CREPT IN (2)
ROCKET (6)
LONELY THIS CHRISTMAS (1)
THE SECRETS THAT YOU KEEP (3)
OH BOY (1)
MOONSHINE SALLY (10)
L-L-LUCY (10)
SHOW ME YOU’RE A WOMAN (8)
SHAKE IT DOWN (12)
LEAN ON ME (7)
