The 'Les Humphries Singers' was a musical group formed in
Hamburg, Germany by Englishman Les Humphries in the year 1970. The group consisted of a large number of singers of diverse ethnic origin, some of whom such as
John Lawton also performed with other groups. Another member was
Jürgen Drews who later had a 1976 solo hit in Germany, "Ein Bett im Kornfeld", a cover version of "Let your Love Flow" by the
Bellamy Brothers. The Les Humphries Singers at the time brought something from the flair of the
hippie movement into the hit world.
In 1976 they represented Germany at the
Eurovision Song Contest with the
Ralph Siegel title "Sing Sang Song." Les Humphries performed a mix of popular music and gospel covers and had some success in Europe with this approach. Two of their earliest and best known hits were "Mama Loo" (1973), and "Mexico" (1972) which was based on the 1960
Johnny Horton country hit "The Battle of New Orleans".
Additional members included Leslie Mandoki and Inga Rumpf, who likewise work today as solo artists and producers.
Liz Mitchell was later front woman with
Boney M. John Lawton also sang for the German progressive/hard rock band
Lucifer's Friend and would go on to be the frontman for
Uriah Heep. The Les Humphries Singers dissolved at the end of the 1970's, after Humphries had left due to tax liabilities to his English homeland.
See also
Goombay Dance Band