Video Wizzard
Biography
Beginner
Shortly after the release of Electric Light Orchestra's first album, Wood found himself often at loggerheads with co-leader Jeff Lynne. After improving the personal and musical differences it became clear that the two could no longer work together in the same group, so Wood left, taking on Bill Hunt (French keyboard and horn) band members and Hugh McDowell (cello), and ELO sound engineer Trevor Smith, with him, to form Wizzard. Also in the line-up are former Bassist Rick Price, drummer Charlie Grima and Keith Smart (all former Birmingham Mongrel group), and saxophonist Mike Burney and Nick Pentelow (son of actor Arthur Pentelow). Before the recording of the band's second album, Introducing Eddy and Falcons, McDowell left and was not replaced, and during the recording of Bill Hunt's album also departed and was replaced by Bob Brady (also from the Village Dog). Before recording the band's last album, Main Street in 2000, in 1975, drummer Keith Smart left the band and was not replaced.
Debut live, chart success and tour
The band made their live debut at The London Rock and Roll Show at Wembley Stadium on 5 August 1972. Both Wizzard's performances were at the Reading Festival later that month. With typical Warpaint characteristic and colorful costumes, not to mention the regular appearance on BBC Television Top of the Pops where members and friends, including Wood's girl friend Ayshea Brough, appearances appear in pantomime horses, gorilla costumes or as a roller-skating angel, often using custard pies for a good size, they are one of the most beautiful groups in the glam rock era of England. In January 1973 they scored their first Top 10 with "Ball Park Incident". Their biggest blow is with their second single. "See My Baby Jive", Wood's loyal and loving award to Phil Spector produced 'Wall of Sound', becoming No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for four weeks. It sold over one million copies globally, and was awarded the gold disc status. The follow-up, "Angel Fingers", also topped the ladder for a week. Like the second, third and fourth album The Move, Wizzard's debut album, Wizzard Brew, contains no hit singles, instead chooses to focus on improvising long saxophones, jazz jam sessions and brass band style military. Follow-up album, 1974 Introducing Eddy & amp; The Falcons , is a much more commercial tariff.
The 1973 Christmas single "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" band has become something of an annual agenda on British (and Irish) radio and television. It was reissued in 1981, and 12 "re-recordings appeared in 1984.
During 1973 Wood simultaneously explored a solo career with his album Boulders , which resulted in 20 Top hits on "Dear Elaine". The next heavy work schedule and strain caused health problems, and some live dates were canceled or delayed on a 1974 spring tour in the UK. One spot in 1974 was to return to the Top 10 with "Rock 'n' Roll Winter (Loony's Tune)". The release is delayed for several weeks until the end of March, so the words' Sorry, 'Spring' will not match. R.W. 'added to label after title. Unusual for now, this and the B-side, "Dream of Unwin", both recorded and released in mono. The song is dedicated to boyfriend Wood when Lynsey de Paul, who pays back the honor by recording the taste song Wizzard "Ooh I Do" a few months later.
The US tour in the United States that year failed to bring any commercial success there, but after meeting with Brian Wilson, some members became guest stars in the Beach Boys session, which eventually resulted in the release of the group's last single "It's OK" in 1976.
Financial difficulties
Wizzard is an expensive band to maintain, both because of its huge lineup, in terms of recording costs, and Bill Hunt's propensity to destroy the pianos they play. According to Price in a radio interview, "... even when we have permission to do so, at one show they say, 'Oh, keep it, destroy it - it's worth five dollars.' So Bill broke it, and we got a bill of one hundred and ten pounds! "The studio time drained more of the band's finances. Price again: "When we finished recording 'Angel Fingers', it was rumored that we had spent more time in the studio than Paul McCartney with the entire album Band on the Run ." Whether that's true or not, this means that most of the record company's money is spent in studio time and that band members have to rely on direct work tours for their earnings. Several tours in the United States and one tour in the US were not enough to ensure regular wages for the band. One by one the band members find other things more profitable, to fill their time.
Compare
In the fall of 1975 they had parted ways, leaving their farewell singles, "Rattlesnake Roll", which failed to chart, and the third album, Main Street , which was not released by their record label because it was not quite commercial.. Wizzard initially intended to make their second album double, with one disc a set of rock and roll pastiches and other jazz-rock discs. The record label heard the rock and roll set and decided to release it as a single album, which appeared in 1974 as Introducing Eddy & amp; The Falcons . Main Street , set jazz-rock, languishing in a vault and for some time considered missing, but finally released in 2000.
Following the band's split in 1975, Wood and Price formed the short-lived Wizzo Band, after which Wood returned to his solo career in addition to producing recordings for other acts, especially the first 10-year cover version of "Duke of Earl" for British Doo-wop revivalists Darts.
On November 13, 2014, saxophonist Mike Burney died, aged 76, after a long battle with cancer.
Maps Wizzard
Personnel
- Roy Wood - vocals, guitar, saxophone, percussion (1972-1975)
- Mike Burney - saxophone, clarinet, flute (1972-1975, died 2014)
- Charlie Grima - drums, percussion, vocals (1972-1975)
- Bill Hunt - keyboard, French horn (1972-1974)
- Hugh McDowell - cello, synthesisers (1972-1973)
- Nick Pentelow - saxophone, clarinet, flute (1972-1975)
- Rick Price - bass (1972-1975)
- Keith Smart - drum (1972-1975)
- Bob Brady - keyboard, vocals (1974-1975)
Timeline
Discography
Albums
Singles
References
External links
- Wizzard biography at Allmusic
- Wizz discography in Discogs
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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