Les Gray

Thomas Leslie ("Les") Gray (born 9 April 1946, Carshalton, Surrey - died 21 February 2004, Lagos, Portugal) was an English singer best known for his work with the band Mud. Gray was also known for his distinctive vocal impersonation of Elvis Presley.

During his school years, he played trumpet with a jazz band, and then, with a younger brother, went on to form the skiffle unit, The Mourners. Mud formed in 1968, with Gray on vocals, Dave Mount on drums, Rob Davis on guitar, and Ray Stiles on bass. After several unsuccessful singles including "Flower Power", they were signed to Mickie Most's RAK record label. Mud had a string of hits written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, including two which topped the UK Singles Chart in 1974, "Lonely This Christmas", and "Tiger Feet". They disbanded in 1980.

Gray had a Top 40 solo hit in 1977 with his cover version of "A Groovy Kind of Love", and would later go out with backing musicians under the name 'Les Gray's Mud', but he never enjoyed the same success as he had with the original outfit.

He died on February 212004, of a heart attack, whilst fighting throat cancer. Family members include cousins Jeffrey, Michael and Julian Clarke with their children Marcus, Nathan, Cathrin and Olivia Clarke.