{"id":110657,"date":"2025-05-18T03:09:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-18T03:09:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/110657\/"},"modified":"2025-05-18T03:09:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-18T03:09:13","slug":"in-the-summertime-has-paid-the-bills-of-mungo-jerry-frontman-ray-dorset-for-55-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/110657\/","title":{"rendered":"In The Summertime has paid the bills of Mungo Jerry frontman RAY DORSET for 55 years!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ray Dorset, lead singer and guitarist with Mungo Jerry, found fame in 1970 when the group’s song In The Summertime, topped the charts for seven weeks, writes York Membery.<\/p>\n

It went on to be No 1 in a further 25 countries, selling millions worldwide. It has been streamed more than 350 million times.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The band had further hits with Baby Jump, also a No 1 in the UK, and Alright, Alright, Alright. Dad-of-six Dorset, 79 lives with third wife Britta in Bournemouth.<\/p>\n

What did your parents teach you\u00a0about money?<\/p>\n

My father Walter, who laid granite floors for a living, served in the Green Howards during the Second World War but was captured in Sicily and spent a few years in a PoW camp.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I was an only child and grew up in a two-up, two-down semi-detached house in Ashford, Middlesex. Dad didn’t believe in buying on hire purchase and I recall him once counting out the cash before buying us a settee at Debenhams.<\/p>\n

My mum Nellie believed money was the root of all evil, and it was thought impolite to discuss the subject. Consequently, I didn’t concentrate enough on the financial side of things when I hit the big time which was a mistake. Now I realise that it’s not money that’s the root of all evil, because you can’t do anything without money \u2013 it’s the love of money.<\/p>\n

\"Hitmaker: <\/p>\n

Hitmaker: Ray Dorset on Top Of The Pops in 1973<\/p>\n

Have you ever struggled\u00a0to make ends meet?<\/p>\n

After the success of In The Summertime, I was ripped off pretty badly by some people in the music business, and by the 1980s I was living a lifestyle I couldn’t afford. I was flying all over the place and had a massive house in Surrey and then the bills started coming in. One year in the 1980s, I made less than \u00a3400 in royalties because I was being ripped off.<\/p>\n

Have you ever been\u00a0paid silly money?<\/p>\n

Yes, the earnings I’ve made over the decades from In The Summertime, one of two British No 1 hits I wrote {the other being Baby Jump}. That one song which I wrote in just ten minutes, has never gone out of fashion, and been covered by so many artistes, even Billy Idol and Slash [the former Guns N’ Roses guitarist]. Actually, I’ve never consciously written a hit song and I still can’t believe how much of a money-spinner it has been, but I’m not complaining\u2014 it’s one of those songs that just keeps giving.<\/p>\n

What was the best year\u00a0of your financial life?<\/p>\n

Probably the last few years because the royalties from songs still roll in \u2013 thankfully, it’s always summer somewhere in the world. Lots of big-name companies have also used my songs. McDonald’s have used both In The Summertime and Feels Like I’m In Love [also a No 1 hit for the Scottish singer Kelly Marie in 1980] in their ads, while Alright, Alright, Alright has been used by LinkedIn and Microsoft. I still get records in heritage charts all over the world too.<\/p>\n

The most expensive thing you bought for fun?<\/p>\n

My used silver Bentley Continental (one of three Bentleys I’ve owned), which I’ve had for years but it still drives well.<\/p>\n

I’ve never believed in buying brand new cars because you lose so much in depreciation as soon as you drive off the garage forecourt. Is a Bentley expensive to run? It doesn’t matter what car you buy \u2013 they are all expensive to run.<\/p>\n

What is your biggest\u00a0money mistake?<\/p>\n

The beautiful second-hand Aston Martin DB5 I snapped up for \u00a31,400 in 1971. It caught fire on the M4 and though I was unhurt, the car was a write-off and the firm I’d insured it with went bust.<\/p>\n

\"Happy <\/p>\n

Happy days: Ray\u00a0still get records in heritage charts all over the world<\/p>\n

Best money decision\u00a0you have made?<\/p>\n

Buying a Marshall amplifier, which I got in my teens, that is now a collector’s item. A few years ago I saw an amp just like it for sale in a shop in LA for $65,000 (nearly \u00a350,000). I’m not planning on selling mine, though. It’s far too precious to me.<\/p>\n

Do you have\u00a0a pension?<\/p>\n

I get the state pension, and I’ve cashed in a private pension that I took out years ago. But I’m lucky to have a residual income \u2014 money you earn while you’re sleeping \u2014 from my back catalogue. That’s my real pension.<\/p>\n

Do you own any\u00a0property?<\/p>\n

For the past 25 years, I’ve lived in a five-bedroom semi-detached house in Westbourne, Bournemouth. It dates back to the 1900s and is within walking distance of the beach. I’ve done some major renovations to it over the years. It’s now open-plan and has a bar and a lift. It’s probably worth a tidy sum but you never know what anything’s worth until you try to sell it.<\/p>\n

If you were Chancellor\u00a0what would you do?<\/p>\n

I’d change a lot. I would bring back cash and high street banks, for starters. I’d also give beggars ‘card readers’ plus lower taxes. And I’d go back into Europe [the EU]. I’ve just been to Germany, where my wife’s from. It’s supposedly in recession but the shops are full of nice things.<\/p>\n

What is your number one financial priority?<\/p>\n

To provide for my family’s future needs.<\/p>\n