The Mudlarks
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The Mudlarks were an English pop vocal group of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
They were a family group from Luton, Bedfordshire, comprising Jeff Mudd (b.1935), Fred Mudd (b.1937, d.in Spain 2007), and Mary Mudd (b.1939). According to press releases at the time, 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 disc jockey David Jacobs, who won them an appearance on the "Six-Five Special" TV show, and a recording contract with EMI's Columbia label.
The Mudlarks' first release "Mutual Admiration Society" was unsuccessful, but their second, a cover of the American novelty song "Lollipop" originally recorded by duo Ronald and Ruby, and more successfully by The Chordettes, rose to # 2 in the UK pop charts. They followed this with another UK top ten hit, a cover of The Monotones' "Book of Love". At the end of 1958, the Mudlarks were voted top British vocal group by readers of the New Musical Express. They continued to release records until 1964, but had no more hits.
Fred Mudd married Leila Williams, who was Miss Great Britain in 1957 and in 1958 co-hosted the new BBC children's programme 'Blue Peter'. Fred Mudd died in Spain in 2007.
