Wizzard

Having already achieved success with the Move and the Electric Light Orchestra, the ever-experimental Roy Woodput together Wizzard in 1972 with a line up comprising Rick Price (vocals/bass), Hugh McDowell (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 theatricalism 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 Eddyand Cliff Richard By 1975, the group were making in-roads into the American market where manager Don Ardenwas increasingly involved with lucrative stadia rock. Wizzard failed to persuade the management to increase their financial input, however, and swiftly folded. Wood, Rick Price and Mike Burney abbreviated the group 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 group self-destructed in March 1978 following which, Wood concentrated on solo outings and production.