Wizzard
Having already achieved success with the Move and the Electric Light Orchestra, the ever-experimental Roy Wood (b. Roy Adrian Wood, 8 November 1946, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England) put together Wizzard in 1972 with a line up comprising Rick Price (vocals/bass), Hugh McDowell (b. 31 July 1953, Hampstead, London, England; cello), Bill Hunt (keyboards), Mike Burney (saxophone), Nick Pentelow (saxophone), Keith Smart (drums) and Charlie Grima (drums). The octet made their debut at the 1972 Wembley Rock 'n' Roll Festival and hit the charts later that year with the chaotic but intriguing "Ball Park Incident". Wood was at his peak as a producer during this period and his Phil Spector-like "wall of sound" pop experiments produced two memorable UK number 1 hits ("See My Baby Jive", "Angel Fingers") and a perennial festive hit, "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day". There was even a playful stab at rivals ELO on the cheeky b-side "Bend Over Beethoven". Much of Wizzard's peculiar charm came from the complementary pop theatrics of Roy Wood, who covered himself with war paint, painted stars on his forehead and sported an unruly mane of multi-coloured hair. Although less impressive on their album excursions, Wizzard's Introducing Eddy And The Falcons (a similar concept to Frank Zappa's Cruising With Ruben And The Jets) was a clever and affectionate rock 'n' roll pastiche with tributes to such greats as Del Shannon, Gene Vincent, Dion, Duane Eddy and Cliff Richard. By 1975, the band was making in-roads into the American market where manager Don Arden was increasingly involved with lucrative stadium rock. Wizzard failed to persuade the management to increase their financial input, however, and swiftly folded. Wood, Rick Price and Mike Burney abbreviated the name for the short-lived Wizzo Band, whose unusual brand of jazz funk proved too esoteric for commercial tastes. After less than a year in operation, this offshoot band self-destructed in March 1978 following which, Wood concentrated on solo outings and production.
Listen to Wizzard
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Albums
- (2006) Wizzard Brew
Top Tracks
- I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (2006 Digital Remaster)
- See My Baby Jive (2006 Digital Remaster)
- Angel Fingers (A Teen Ballad) (2006 Digital Remaster)
- Ball Park Incident (2006 Digital Remaster)
- Bend Over Beethoven (2006 Digital Remaster)
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