Ted Mulry

Ted Mulry (September 2, 1947 – September 1, 2001) was a British-born singer, songwriter, bass player and guitarist who achieved success in Australia firstly, as a solo performer, and then leading his own band Ted Mulry Gang, sometimes officially credited as just TMG.

olo

Ted Mulry first came to the attention of the music industry when he sent a demo of some of his own compositions to Alberts Publishers in Sydney. He was persuaded to be recorded himself and soon rose to fame as a solo singer/songwriter with his own composition, the pop ballad, "Julia", which made the Australian charts in 1970. He then went on to score a major hit with The Easybeats songwriting team, Harry Vanda & George Young song, "Falling In Love Again" in 1971. He was a prolific songwriter and a number of bands and artists, (such as John Farnham and Alison MacCallum), recorded his songs, the most notable being rock band Sherbet, who had a hit with his song, "You're All Woman". He travelled to England briefly in 1972 and recorded one single there under the name Steve Ryder but returned to Australia soon after. During his time as a solo artist he released two albums, "Falling In Love Again" and "I Won't Look Back".

Ted Mulry Gang

After getting tired of being backed by different backing bands, in 1972 he switched from acoustic guitar to bass and formed his own band, "Ted Mulry Gang", with guitarist Les Hall & drummer Herman Kovacs. The band signed a recording deal with Albert Productions in 1974 and released their first album "Here We Are". Guitarist Gary Dixon joined around this time to complete the foursome. With his own band behind him he adopted a more hard rockin' style.

Their first major hit, and the biggest of their career was the 1975 single "Jump In My Car" which spent 6 weeks at number one on the Australian singles charts in 1976. Over the next few years they achieved a string of hit singles including a rocked up version of the old jazz song, "Darktown Strutter's Ball", "Crazy", "Jamaica Rum" and "My Little Girl". Many of TMG's songs, including "Jump In My Car", were co-written with guitarist Les Hall. By the early 1980s their chart success had ended but they remained popular performers on the Australian pub circuit throughout the decade.

In 1998 Ted released a solo CD called "This Time" of songs co-written by himself and his brother Steve Mulry. In early 2001 Ted Mulry announced that he had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. A series of tribute concerts organised shortly before his death, "Gimme Ted", brought together an assortment of Australian rock acts of his era to pay tribute to him. These included a reunion of his band Ted Mulry Gang with his brother Steve Mulry standing in for him as lead vocalist. Steve fronts the rock band [http://www.blacklabelaustralia.com.au Black Label] and performs at many venues, including biker events, around the New South Wales.

In January 2006, David Hasselhoff recorded a version of Ted's classic "Jump In My Car" whilst in Australia. Hasselhoff's version of "Jump In My Car" was subsequently released in the UK and went to #3 in the charts there in October 2006.

Ted Mulry Gang Discography

Albums:

Here We Are - 1974

Struttin - 1976

Steppin' Out - 1976

The TMG Album - 1977

Disturbing The Peace - 1978

TMG Live - 1979

Locked In - 1980

EPs:

Live On Tour - 1976

Compilation:

Reunion - 1989

Singles:

Jump in My Car / I'm on Fire - 1975

Darktown Strutters Ball / She's For Me - 1976

Crazy / Help Me Out - 1976

Steppin' Out / It's All Over Now - 1976

Jamaica Rum / Wanted Man - 1977

My Little Girl / You've Got It - 1977

Naturally / Sha La La Lee - 1977

Lazy Eyes / Set Me Free - 1978

Heart of Stone / I Miss You - 1978

You've Got the Devil in You / Disturbing the Peace - 1978

References

*The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop - Ian McFarlane - Allen & Unwin, Sydney - 1999

External links

* [http://www.howlspace.com.au/en3/mulryted/mulryted.htm Howlspace - Ted Mulry page]
* [http://poparchives.com.au/feature.php?id=77 Ted Mulry Gang Feature - Pop Archives Site]
* [http://www.blacklabelaustralia.com.au Black Label] (Steve Mulry's band - Ted's brother)
* [http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/ted_mulry_gang] (Discography)