Ray Dorset, the legendary frontman of Mungo Jerry, has revealed he was rushed to A&E and expressed gratitude to NHS staff at Bournemouth hospital who cared for him. The 80-year-old music icon shared his ordeal on social media, noting that the emergency visit was made more bearable by nurses who sang his iconic hit, In The Summertime, while he underwent treatment.
A Hospital Visit with a Soundtrack
Dorset posted on social media: "Once again I have been taken by ambulance to Bournemouth hospital following my recent surgery. A few minutes ago whilst laying on my back awaiting an ultrasound scan I could hear a few nurses singing In The Summertime. I said to myself 'Oh no I have been recognised,' but I have to admit that I began chuckling despite the discomfort. What a day!"
The singer's hospital dash comes after a challenging weekend, and fans have flooded social media with well-wishes. One supporter wrote: "Hope you are feeling better soon mate, and more to the point that they get to the root cause. Great to see that that song is still alive and kicking after all these years!" Another added: "I too love the song; wishing you all the best!"
The Legacy of In The Summertime
In The Summertime, Mungo Jerry's biggest hit, sold six million copies within its first six months of release and has now surpassed 30 million copies sold worldwide. Written and composed by Dorset, the song was released in 1970 and has become a timeless summer anthem.
In a 2018 interview with the Daily Mail, Dorset revealed that the song earned him "silly money" and took just ten minutes to write. He said: "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. 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— it's one of those songs that just keeps giving. The royalties from songs still roll in – thankfully, it's always summer somewhere in the world!"
Fans Rally Behind the Star
Dorset's health scare has prompted an outpouring of support from fans worldwide, many of whom shared memories of the song that defined their summers. The singer's resilience and good humour, even in discomfort, have been widely praised.
