0
0
Mungo Jerry are a British rock band, formed by Ray Dorset in Ashford, Middlesex in 1970. They are best known for their hit song “In the Summertime”, which topped the charts in the UK and many other countries in the summer of 1970. The song is one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over 30 million copies sold worldwide1
The Origins of Mungo Jerry
The band’s name was inspired by the poem “Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer” from T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats2 Dorset and his bandmates had previously been members of The Good Earth, a folk-blues group that played in pubs and clubs around London. After some changes in the lineup, they decided to adopt a new name and a new sound, influenced by rock, folk, blues, and country music3
The band’s breakthrough came when they performed at the Hollywood Music Festival in Staffordshire in May 1970, alongside acts like Black Sabbath, Traffic, and the Grateful Dead. Their energetic and catchy performance of “In the Summertime” caught the attention of the audience and the media, and the song was released as a maxi-single, the first of its kind in the world4 The song became an instant hit, reaching number one in the UK, the US, and many other countries. It also became a symbol of the hippie culture and the carefree spirit of the summer5
The Legacy of Mungo Jerry
Mungo Jerry continued to record and perform throughout the 1970s and beyond, with a changing lineup that always featured Dorset as the lead singer and songwriter. They had several other hits, such as “Baby Jump”, “Lady Rose”, and “Alright, Alright, Alright”. They also experimented with different genres, such as reggae, disco, and hard rock6
The band’s music has been covered by many artists, such as Elton John, Bob Dylan, and Shaggy. Their songs have also been used in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials, such as American Pie, The Simpsons, and Coca-Cola.
Mungo Jerry are still active today, performing live and releasing new material. In 2020, they celebrated the 50th anniversary of “In the Summertime” with a special online event that featured guest appearances by Eddy Grant, Pete Townshend, and others.
Mungo Jerry are one of the most successful and influential bands in the history of British rock music. Their timeless and universal appeal makes them a band that everyone can enjoy and relate to.
