Their earlier success came in a pop and then glam rock style, while later hits were influenced by 1950s rock and roll and rockabilly,[1] and they are best remembered for their hit singles "Dyna-mite", "Tiger Feet", which was the UK's best-selling single of 1974, and "Lonely This Christmas" which reached Christmas number 1 in December 1974.

After signing to Rak Records and teaming up with songwriters/producers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, the band had fourteen UK Top 20 hits between 1973 and 1976, including three number ones.

[2] The band was founded by lead guitarist Rob Davis,[3] lead vocalist Les Gray,[3] drummer Dave Mount (born 3 March 1947,[3] Carshalton; died 2 December 2006, St Helier Hospital, Carshalton[4]) and bassist Ray Stiles (born 20 November 1946,[3] Guildford, Surrey).

[2] At the peak of their career, they also enjoyed British number one singles with "Tiger Feet"; and "Lonely This Christmas" (1974), an affectionate Elvis Presley pastiche; plus "Oh Boy" (1975), a cover of the Buddy Holly hit, which also featured on their album Mud Rock Volume 2.

[3] Like contemporaries Sweet, their most successful period came when their records were written and produced by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman: in 1975 they had seven singles in the UK Top 40 totalling over 45 weeks on the chart, the most by any artist in 1975.

This was released under the band name "Dum" (which is both "Mud" spelt backwards and on a largely instrumental single, hence a pun on "dumb"), but it failed to chart.

Keyboardist Andy Ball, formerly of Candlewick Green, joined Mud in 1975, and was with the band during their time on the Private Stock label.

The original band continued for a short while with female lead vocalist Margo Buchanan in Gray's place,[10] releasing a commercially unsuccessful single for Carrere in 1979 titled "Drop Everything and Run".

Following the band's dissolution, Stiles joined the Hollies; whilst Davis went on to co-write several highly successful dance hits for Kylie Minogue and Spiller featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Mount appeared on an episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks on BBC Two in November 2005, and featured in the "spot the pop star of the past" identity parade segment.

The initial lineup featured Stuart Amesbury (rhythm guitar) and Cherie Beck (backing vocals) of the Bristol-based Cherie Beck Band; together with Dale Fry (bass), Nick Richie (lead guitar) and Rob John (drums); with the latter two being replaced in 1983 by guitarist Tim Fish and drummer Mark Hatwood respectively.

Berry, Twynham, and Wilson then rechristened the band 'Mud II' and recruited keyboardist and longterm Mud collaborator Chris Savage.

Since 2015, founder members Rob Davis and Ray Stiles have been performing together again under the band name 'Mud', alongside Keith Read and Pete Phipps.