Mudlarks, The

The Mudlarks were a family group from Luton, Bedfordshire, originally comprising Jeff Mudd, Fred Mudd and Mary Mudd. They all had jobs at the Vauxhall motor plant in Luton and spent their spare time singing together.

In 1958 they attracted the attention of BBC Radio music presenter David Jacobs, who won them an appearance on the Six-Five Special TV show, and a recording contract with EMI’s Columbia label.

Their first single release, Mutual Admiration Society, was unsuccessful, but their second, a cover of the catchy American novelty song Lollipop, originally by The Chordettes, rose to #2 in the UK Singles Chart.

The Mudlarks had an advantage over The Chordettes because the BBC loved them and booked them for every variety show, on both radio and TV.

Emboldened by their success, the group went on to cover yet another harmony vocal effort from the US, choosing Book of Love by The Monotones, which gave them another UK Top 10 hit.

At the end of 1958, The Mudlarks were voted top British vocal group by readers of the New Musical Express.

Jeff Mudd then left the group as he was called up for his National Service. He was replaced by David Lane (born David Burgess), an entertainer on the Manchester club circuit.

The Mudlarks continued to release records until 1964 but had only one more hit – The Love Game, a minor #30 success in 1959.

Fred Mudd married Leila Williams, who had been Miss Great Britain in 1957 and between 1958 and 1962 co-hosted the BBC children’s programme, Blue Peter. He died in Marbella, Spain, in 2007.

In 1962, Mary Mudd and David Lane married in Newton Abbot. Lane died at his home in Hattersley in 2010 after battling cancer for eight years.

Jeff Mudd
Vocals
Fred Mudd
Vocals
Mary Mudd
Vocals
David Lane (Burgess)
Vocals