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Ray DorsetBritish singer, guitarist, songwriter
Date of Birth: 21.03.1946
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Ray Dorset: The British Singer-Songwriter Behind Mungo Jerry
- The Buccaneers and The Concords
- Memphis Leather and Good Earth
- The Birth of Mungo Jerry
- International Breakthrough with "In The Summertime"
- Subsequent Success and Solo Projects
- Legacy and Biography
Ray Dorset: The British Singer-Songwriter Behind Mungo Jerry
Early Life and InfluencesRay Dorset was born in Hounslow, England, in 1946. His musical journey began in 1957 when he formed the Blue Moon Skiffle Group at the tender age of 11. The band featured Phil Collins on drums.
The Buccaneers and The Concords
After being expelled from school, Dorset pursued a career as a women's hairdresser. In his spare time, he played with The Buccaneers, where he met Dave Hutchins (bass) and Derek Sermon (drums), who later joined Screaming Lord Sutch's band. Changing their name to The Concords, the group gained popularity with regular gigs at The Station Tavern in Richmond, alongside The Rolling Stones.
Memphis Leather and Good Earth
In 1967, Dorset teamed up with keyboard player Colin Earl to form Memphis Leather. They signed with Saga Records but were required to change their name to Good Earth. The band released their debut album, "It's Hard Rock & All That," featuring Dorset's ballad "My Own Country."
The Birth of Mungo Jerry
Good Earth members Paul King (guitar, kazoo), Mike Cole (double bass, bass guitar), and Joe Rush (percussion) joined the band, forming Mungo Jerry. The name was inspired by T.S. Eliot's poem "The Waste Land."
International Breakthrough with "In The Summertime"
Mungo Jerry achieved instant success with their performance at the British Festival in Newcastle. Their debut single, "In The Summertime," became a mega-hit, selling over 6 million copies in the UK alone. It reached the top of the charts and remained there for 7 weeks.
Subsequent Success and Solo Projects
Mungo Jerry continued to release successful singles in the UK, but their international success waned by the early 1970s. Dorset became the de facto leader of the band, with a revolving cast of supporting musicians. In 1972, he released his first solo album, "Cold Blue Excursion." He followed this up with "A Case for the Blues" in 1987, featuring Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac.
Legacy and Biography
Dorset's life and music have been chronicled in the 2002 biography "Beyond the Summertime" by John van der Kiste and Derek Wade. Dorset remains an influential figure in British music, best known for his iconic hit "In The Summertime" and his contributions to Mungo Jerry.
