"Though the English group Mungo Jerry is categorized as a one-hit wonder, their hit single ""In the Summertime"" continues to be a seasonal anthem.The group was spearheaded by the gap-toothed grin of Ray Dorset, who started the group's 35-year run in 1957. Dorset formed his first band, The Blue Moon Skiffle Group, after he had been expelled from school and became a ladies hairdresser just outside of his Ashford, Middlesex home. While styling women's heads, he also played with The Buccaneers, who later became The Conchords. It wasn't until several name and member changes that the group Mungo Jerry emerged - with Dorset as lead vocalist and guitarist, Mike Cole on upright bass, Paul King on guitar, kazoo and jub, Joe Rush on washboard and Colin Earl on keyboards. The name is based off a character from T.S. Eliot's ""Book of Practical Cats."" The group had already seen several record deals and singles, always lead by the ever constant Dorset, but Mungo Jerry finally saw success in their Pye studio recording of ""In the Summertime."" Edged on by Barry Murray, the Dorset composition was the lead track, backed by their other single ""Mighty Man.""""In the Summertime"" made such a huge impact that the members of Mungo Jerry were unprepared. It raced to number one overnight, making it the best single sold that year (1970). After the success of the single, the group performed at the Hollywood Music Festival with other rock legends like Black Sabbath, Traffic, and Grateful Dead. Their self-titled debut album appeared that same year and was followed by a US tour. The album didn't do as well as the group hoped, as the group drove-on with their second album, Electronically Tested, and their third, You Don't Have to Be in the Army, released that same year. As success took its toll on the group, members began to fade in and out quickly. By 1972, Dorset was essentially Mungo Jerry, which made it difficult for the musician to create solo albums. The group continued to tour over the next few years though they never saw the same sort of success like that of ""In the Summertime."""