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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.
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 who’s 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)
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