Mud lead singer Gray dies at 57
from www.bbc.co.uk
Late Mud singer Les Gray, was a star in the 70s
Les Gray, lead singer of 1970s chart topping band Mud has died at 57.
The glam rock star died of a heart attack in Portugal, his home for 12
years, and had been battling against throat cancer for some time.
Doctors wanted to remove Gray's voicebox as part of his treatment, but he
opted for chemotherapy instead in an effort to save his voice and career.
Gray was due to take part in a concert in Scotland including Alvin Stardust,
Marmalade and Middle of the Road.
The charity gig in Glasgow on Saturday is still going ahead as a tribute to
the 70s musician.
Mud (with Les Gray centre) appeared on Top of the Pops
Saturday's Blast From The Past was due to be his comeback, and organisers
expressed their sadness and shock at Gray's death.
"He was using this concert to give him a focus for his recovery, and offered
to MC for the event and sing if he felt up for it," said event organiser
Caroline McFarlan.
Click here to send your tributes
"It will now be a fitting tribute to a very popular star," she added.
Talent winners
They formed in 1968 and won a national talent contest which brought them to
prominence.
Their first television appearance was on the Basil Brush Show, while they
toured extensively, opening for crooner Jack Jones.
The band consisted of Gray, drummer Dave Mount, Ray Stiles on bass and Rob
Davis on guitar.
Davis went on to become a successful pop songwriter, with Kylie Minogue's
Can't Get You Out Of My Head and Spiller chart-topper Groovejet among his
credits.
Mud scored a trio of number ones in the mid-70s with Lonely This Christmas,
Tiger Feet and Oh Boy.
Tiger Feet went on to become the biggest-selling single of 1974, while their
last chart hit was Lean On Me in 1976.
The band split up in 1977, and Gray went solo and took Les Gray's Mud on the
road.
He eventually moved to the Algarve with his wife Carol, who blamed his
illness on a 50-a-day smoking habit.
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Were you a fan of Gray and his band Mud during their heyday in the 70s? Send
your tributes to the singer and his music on the form below.
This is sad news. I loved Mud as a kid and later played in bands on the 70's
circuit when sometimes Mud were on the same bill. I remember meeting Les for
the first time and watching the gig that night from the side of the stage.
2000+ people just loving every minute of a great performance. That's how I'm
going to remember him.
Alex, Widnes, UK
Being from the USA it was very hard to find anything by Mud. I remember
reading about them in Melody Maker and NME and just knowing I had to hear
them. It took awhile but I was finally able to track down their first two
albums and WOW what a surprise! Hearing "Tiger Feet" and "The Cat Crept In"
and "Rocket" was so thrilling. Equal to any of the other Glam Rock bands of
that era they were always my best kept Glam Rock secret because no one over
here had ever heard of them. I loved playing "Tiger Feet" to someone and
just watching them smile and dance!
ELaw, Hanover, Massachusetts, USA
I was born and raised in the NE of England and now live in the US........It
took my breath away to read that Les Gray had died as Mud were my musical
memories of my 'growing up' into my teen years.......A party or family
get-together was not complete without a bop to Tiger Feet with a drunken
aunt or my granny or Xmas wouldn't be Xmas if Les wasn't telling us he was
going to be 'Lonely this Xmas' without you to hold......Les....God bless you
and may you be crooning with Elvis right now showing him your tigerfeet! You
were Dyna-mite !!
Stan Latimer, New Jersey USA
back so many memories of my school days in Scotland. I really liked his
voice, and they where a super group. I would like to send my condolences to
his family. He will be sadly missed.
Fiona , Palma de Mallorca - Spain
Thanks for the memories Les. I will treasure my Mud records even more now.
Val, Bristol
A very sad day for Glam Rockers everywhere, Les and Mud were so great during
the 70's and the Glam Rock era, I've been a fan ever since I bought Tiger
Feet at eight, He will be greatly missed, but will leave such brilliant
memories.
Richard Young, Cambridge, UK
An icon of the times. He brings back the 70's with a tear in my eye.
Terry, Walsall
What a sad day. Les & the band were the soundtrack to my schooldays - home
from school & put on the record player then dad & me would dance around the
living room doing all the actions to "dynamite" Tiger Feet" etc.... In fact
we still turn up the radio when "Mud" is played, and will continue to do so.
Our condolences to all his family & friends.
JANE, Gloucestershire, Cirencester, Glos
I remember 'Tiger Feet' from school discos in the 70s with great fondness.
Pure unpretentious fun and entertainment.
Stuart Jebbitt,
So sorry to hear the sad news. We were all so proud of Les and his music.
Went to both Junior School Sherwood and Senior School Pollards with him.
Joan Brashier, Croydon
Mud were one of the few bands from the 70s whose music can still be played
today and liven up any party. They were one of my favourite bands as a
teenager, and my memories of those times are all the sweeter for the
contribution Les and Mud made to them. I shall miss him greatly. My sincere
commiserations to his family and friends.
S. Spence-Richards, London, UK
Thanks for the memories. Just keep the feet tapping wherever you are. Very
underrated performer of the seventies.
David Bulloch, Cambridge UK
How sad to hear of Les's death - I will always remember Tiger Feet being
played at my sixteenth birthday! RIP Les & thanks for the memories!
Caroline Buggea, Nuneaton, Warks
Les has now joined Marc Bolan, the Sweet's Brian Connolly and the Glitter
Band's Gerry Shepherd in Glam Rock Heaven. Without these three great singers
and brilliant showmen, the world will be a much duller place.
Kevin Connolly, Belfast, Ireland
I was a 70s kid (I still am at heart) I still listen to my Mud Rock 1 + 2
albums (on vinyl). Rest In Peace Les, thank for the memories.
Paul Bushnell, Leeds
As I was young in the early 70s, this was the first kind of music I heard.
Thanks for the good memories.
Sean Mott, London
What can I say? A part of me has gone today. Fun, great music.....made my
childhood a good time to live through. My condolences to his family
Nick White, barley, herts
What a sad day. Les epitomised the great days of the seventies. God bless,
rest in peace mate.
Dave smith, Banstead
God bless Les. Thanks for all the fun, we shall miss you very much.
Phillip Anderton, Poole, Dorset
A very sad day indeed. I've seen Mud many times over the years and last saw
them at Butlins. Les and the guys provided great entertainment and Les never
lost his enthusiasm for performing. He was up there with the other 70s Glam
Rock 'stars and will be sorely missed.
Trevor, Gloucestershire, UK
Without Les it will certainly be lonely this Christmas. What a great fun act
they were - a relic from a seemingly innocent age.
Russ Kavanagh, Cheshire
Popular music at that time may have been lightweight for some but it was
joyful and fun unlike today's music which encourages "attitude". The
attitude then was that life was fun and enjoyable. I trust Les enjoyed his
life in direct proportion to the happiness he brought us disco dancing
youngsters. Condolences to his family and friends.
lynne, Farnborough UK
Les and the boys saw me through my teenage years, I felt I knew them all,
they were the guys next door made good and they made music fun. Condolences
to his family, Dave, Rob and Ray. Rest in peace Les, I'll miss you and
thanks for the good times.
Paul Rodgers, Rotherham, England
I think Mud were in a different league to Slade, Sweet etc, being more
varied on their single output. The Glam was in their earlier hits but they
also tackled cover versions in credible form. Singles such as Oh Boy and
Lean On Me displayed this variety. Fronted by Les they portrayed fun and a
"not taking this too seriously" approach to their style. I bought their
singles years after the hits stopped, only recently found Lonely This
Christmas in a picture sleeve. Thanks Les and the rest of Mud.
Andrew James, Mold, North Wales.
I remember seeing Mud perform at a pub in Brentford, West London) around
1981. The atmosphere was magic. It was the only time I ever saw people
dancing on the tables.
Peter, Berks. UK
My first recollection of Mud was in 1966, seeing their pre-glam Thames van
careering around the streets of London. Les and the boys have given me much
pleasure since and though Les, a great frontman, has clearly been very
unwell in recent times, his legacy of pure, unadulterated fun, and living
the rock and roll lifestyle to the full in the 1970's will live with me and
other die-hard fans forever. God bless you Les and thanks for it all.
Geoff Stacey, Bromley, Kent
I remember going to Mud concerts and dancing to Tiger Feet at discos. Indeed
it was played recently at a birthday party and I enjoyed reliving my youth
on the dance floor. Very sad at the news.
Rilla, Worcester, UK
Mud were a great band to secretly admire as an avowed heavy metal fan. I
didn't dear reveal my enjoyment of the band to my peers. A telling feature
of their success is the number of folk who can recall the lyrics of their
songs.
Les's death is sad loss to us all. I hope that Saturday's blast from the
past will be a fitting tribute to the man.
Vernon levy, Leeds, UK
Les will be sadly missed. Great guy. Great Band.
Rose Thompson, Croydon. England
The so-called pop bands of today should be made to watch the master showman
at work - we'll miss you Les.
David , London
As a kid who grew up in the 70s, Mud were not only responsible for their
catchy pop tunes, but also for helping us cross the road safely - anyone
else remember the "Stop, Look & Listen" public information film featuring
Les?
Nigel Slater, UK
It'll be lonely this Christmas without him, He was our Elvis
Christie, Luton
My Mud collection will be played loud and proud tonight in tribute. Tiger
Feet remains the best song ever to get a party going. RIP Les and thank you
for some great parties and loads of memories
Mike, Ipswich
I remember seeing MUD perform at Huddersfield Town F.C in the early
seventies when I was around 13. I think it was the first 'pop' concert I had
been to and still remember it vividly. Happy Memories.
Andrea Meany, Aberdeen, Scotland.
I met Les Gray once, 27 years ago, while on work experience with a
newspaper. He was a nice guy and he will be sadly missed.
Michael Kelly , Belfast
He gave us much joy and happiness through his songs. Thanks mate!
Ian, Providence, USA
One of the 70s icons who gave so much pleasure with such great music to so
many people. Someone who will be greatly missed and who's music will never
be copied or replaced.
Steve Daglish, Swindon.Wilts. England
Rest in peace, Les Gray from Mud. Tiger Feet was the first single I ever
bought in 1973. I don't think anyone could claim that Mud were one of the
greats but they never harmed anyone. I saw them in concert in Leeds in 1989
on the day the Berlin Wall came down. They were awful but it was a pleasant
nostalgic evening and then I got home to find that the iron curtain had
torn. Les Gray was a good man, sympathies should be sent to his family and
friends.
Paul, Dalston, London
Mud, like many of the other Glam-rockers e.g. Sweet, Alvin Stardust etc,
were part of an unpretentious, "music for fun" movement that was refreshing
then and is still refreshing.
Thanks to Les and Co for the happy memories; it certainly will be "Lonely
This Christmas" without them !
MB, UK
This is a sad day - Mud broke the mould.
Jules, London
The Angels will be sporting feather cuts and Foster Grants today. Farewell
Les, you were a great entertainer.
Paul Fillingham, Nottingham, England
I saw Mud play at the Theatre Royal in Norwich in the early 70s. It was
amusing for me in as much as it was the only time I've been to a gig and
witnessed the phenomenon of screaming teenage girls. But hysteria aside, Mud
were faultless and very professional, with their flamboyant and brilliant
guitarist. Les Gray kept the whole thing together, and who could forget his
take on Elvis?
Clive, Norwich, UK
Will be sadly missed. Part of my childhood has died as a result of Les's
untimely demise
Paul mc kenna, Belfast. Ireland
Will be sadly missed, but some great music from the 70s.
Jane, Bradford England
Les was a real great and wrote the soundtrack to my youth. It is a sad day
for music.
Simon Smedley, Tameside
'Tiger Feet' was the first single I ever bought. He will be sadly missed.
Glam On !
Ashley Judge, Aylesbury, Bucks
All I can say is what a great loss to music. Talented men like this come
along only once in a lifetime.
We will all be lonely this Christmas without him...
Ross, Cheam, UK
Tiger feet was one of the great songs of our heyday. School disco's came
alive when it was played. OH BOY what good times we had thanks to the likes
of mud and many other 70s bands.
Mary Campion, Bishops Stortford England
Mud were my favourite band of the 70s. I was in my teens and songs like
Tiger Feet, Dynamite, The Cat Crept In and Running Bear will always be among
my top tracks. It's a sad loss of one of the 70s top stars.
Mike, Kent, UK
I grew up with glam rock in the 70s and Tiger feet was my youth Clubs
anthem. I had the pleasure of meeting Les and the rest of Mud at a concert
one Easter with another youth organisation in the 80s. As part of the
organising committee of the event we persuaded them to do away with stage
barrier controls.
This meant they where closer to the audience. needless to say Les and the
rest of the boys enjoyed themselves better. He told us afterwards it was one
of the best gigs he has done in a long while. A comment that has held firm
with me always. I'm sorry to hear of his loss and so the rest of the 3000
18plusers crowd at the concert
Andy Major, Rochester, Kent
I remember when I was aged 7 and my sister 5, doing the Tiger Feet dance and
eating jam sandwiches in the living room of our parents' council maisonette
for several Sunday evenings in early '74 while listening to the Top 20 (as
it was then) Chart Show. It was either listen to Mud or watch Stars On
Sunday. No contest.
Mark, Enfield, England
So sorry to hear of Les dying I was a huge fan of mud. I had a large poster
of mud on my bedroom wall. Oh bliss. Best wishes
Elaine Dlewlow, Dheadle Stoke on Trent
I was about 12 years of age during Mud's heyday but I can remember it as if
it was yesterday. For me they were golden years and Les now follows those
other 70s great like Marc Bolan, Ray Connelly (Sweet). I thought they were
great and he was one of the original frontmen of the time. It's a sad day
for music and especially for anyone who can remember the 70s with any
fondness. Les, RIP, you're gonna be missed
Hughie, Brit in The Netherlands
That's such sad news. Mud were 'it' for so many of us during the 70's - I've
still got all their records and can still remember all the dance routines -
not that they were ever very difficult! Condolences to his family and the
other band members.
Susan Chandler, Cambridge, England
I always remember Mud songs being played at school discos. I saw them play
live when I was 19, and they were one of the most fun bands I ever saw. I
even ended up dancing on the stage with them. A fantastic memory.
Jo, UK
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