2025

Sadly, in 2025, we lost original piano player, Colin Earl, 90s keyboard man, Plato Contostavlos and in August, Ray’s bass player and technical guy, Darren Jones.

COLIN EARL R.I.P

Colin, one of the original three who started up the band in the 60s, along with Joe Rush and Ray Dorset, when they were still The Good Earth.

They were the trio that performed at the legendary Oxford University gig, Christmas 1968.

Ray Dorset said, “It’s with great sorrow that I have been informed that Colin Earl who I have known since I was 15 years old, and became the original Mungo Jerry piano player, passed away.

“I will always be truly grateful for everything that I learned from him.”

We set up a tribute page to Colin with messages from fans, former band personnel and also a few stories from Colin himself, taken from his handwritten notes for the 1990 book, Beyond The Summertime.

Click HERE to visit the page. 

PLATO CONTOSTAVLOS R.I.P

L-R: Plato Contostavlos, Mick Frampton, Ray Dorset, Paul Newton, Byron Contostavlos.

Plato, father of Tulisa from N.Dubz, played keyboards on the 2001 CD album, Candy Dreams,  along with brother Byron, father of Dappy from the band, who passed away in 2007.

We also lost long-time fans, ‘Wally’ Moana Klassen and in December, Micky Rose.

DARREN JONES R.I.P

After losing Colin Earl and Plato Contostavlos earlier in the year, we had to report that Mungo Jerry bass player and recording engineer, Darren Jones sadly passed away Monday 11th August 2025.

He will be greatly missed in the music world and beyond.

Ray posted his own message on X…”Absolutely devastating to have to make this announcement, my dear friend Darren Jones who built my studio, played bass in the band & took care of all the technical stuff passed away this morning.

“He was a truly wonderful person our hearts go out to all of his family & friends RIP.”

SNAKEBITE REVISITED

It wasn’t all bad news as 2025 saw the release of the Mungo Jerry World review book, Song-By-Song and 7a Records re-release of the 1990 Mungo Jerry album, Snakebite.

Released On August 18th, the CD version included a 24 page colour booklet with rare photos, lyrics and extensive liner notes.

The vinyl version is pressed on 180g Blue Vinyl and was limited to 300 copies. It included a 12” colour insert.

Snakebite Revisited has been remastered and expanded with bonus tracks.

After quite a lot of hard work, over 3-4 years, the Mungo Jerry Review Book, Song-By-Song became available in May.

Written by five long-term fans, Alan Taylor, Derek Wadeson, John Van der Kiste, Stuart Turner and Mick O’Hanlon, it covered each and every Mungo Jerry song recorded to date.

This included, all of the Dawn and Polydor Years recordings. Also covered were the important overseas releases, ‘fan club only’ issues and songs recorded but not released.

It was  available in both paperback and Kindle form, exclusively through Amazon in several territories.

THE HERITAGE CHART

Three songs were featured on the Heritage Chart during 2025. In The Summertime (A Touch Of Latin) No.4, Snakebite No.6 and The Wonder Of Christmas that didn’t quite make the Top 40.

You can check out all of Mungo Jerry’s Heritage Chart entries by clicking HERE

TALKING PICTURES * 16/4/25

From Ray…”On Wednesday April 16th at 08.30 a.m, Talking Pictures TV will broadcast the short spot that I did with Mike Read with a live audience at The Regency Theatre, Christchurch. The show can also be seen at any time using the TPTV Encore facility on smart Televisions using the red button.” – thanks to Ray and Mick O’Hanlon for the heads-up.

It looks as though you will need to subscribe but you can view on catch-up by clicking HERE

2025

3rd August Wickham Festival (60 minute spoken word show – Ray played a few songs)

Glenn Gretlund of 7a Records told us…

“I met up with R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey (photos below) last night. They played a small venue only 20 minutes from where I live.

“I have previously had dinner with Peter Buck, as we worked on a Dolenz Sings R.E.M project a couple of years ago.

“I gave Scott a copy of the Snakebite CD and he immediately says. “OMG, we absolutely love Mungo Jerry, I have many of their albums and we have even recorded a version of You Better Leave That Whiskey Alone. He also mentioned another one.

“I told Ray and he was chuffed.”