Mungo Jerry

Mungo Jerry is an English rock and roll band that rose to fame in the early 1970s. They are best known for their hit song "In the Summertime," which topped the charts in several countries. Formed in 1970, the band was originally called The Good Earth and consisted of Ray Dorset, Colin Earl, and Paul King. However, they changed their name to Mungo Jerry after a character from the T. S. Eliot poem "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats." The band's unique blend of jug band, skiffle, and blues rock set them apart from their contemporaries. "In the Summertime" became an instant success upon its release, with its catchy melody and lyrics about enjoying the carefree nature of summer. Interestingly, the song was recorded in just half an hour during a demo session and was initially meant as a B-side. Mungo Jerry continued to release music throughout the 1970s, though they never reached the same level of success as their debut single. Despite lineup changes over the years, Mungo Jerry still performs today, with Ray Dorset as the only remaining original member.