British band Mungo Jerry soared to Number One on the pop charts not just here in America, but all over the world with their joyous skiffle-rock ode to summer fun “In The Summertime”:
Mungo Jerry at the time of their smash success were Ray Dorset (vocals, guitar), Colin Earl (piano), Mike Cole (bass), and Paul King (banjo, jug). Members came and went rapidly, but Dorset was always the one constant. The huge international success of “In The Summertime” led to a U.S. tour, and though the Jerries never scored another hit, “In The Summertime” remains a perennial on Classic Rock radio, especially at this time of year.
Something I always wondered was where on Earth did they come up with the name Mungo Jerry. So I did some intense research (ok, I looked it up on their Wikipedia page) and discovered the band was named after a poem in T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” titled “Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer”. Who knew both Ray Dorset and Andrew Lloyd Webber drew their musical inspiration from the same source? Anyway, have a safe and happy summer, one and all!
Reblogged this on Through the Shattered Lens.
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O, I love this song ! !
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I can’t help but tap my feet and sing along whenever I hear it!
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Haha cool stuff! Never knew they got their name from the cats!
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Ray Dorset lives one mile away from me in Westbourne Bournemouth. Often see him in the local supermarket. He still looks exactly the same but without those giant hairy sideburns.
Little factoid, Ray lives on Robert Louis Stevenson Avenue named after the famous writer who lived in Westbourne around 1880 and wrote “Kidnapped” & “The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” there. 🙂
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Wow, a star in your own neighborhood! Cool! Good thing he shaved the sideburns, or people might mistake him for you, Wolfie!!
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Haha yes indeed there certainly was a big resemblance but in the day 🙂
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Reblogged this on Wonderwall and commented:
Apparently this song was number 1 in the UK 48 years ago today. It still sounded good outside in the sunon the radio today.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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