Sorcery (band)

Sorcery
Sorcery in Concert
Background information
Origin	Hollywood, California
Genres	hard rock, heavy metal
Years active	1976–1987
Labels	EMI Records, Groovy (Holland), Moving Image Entertainment Italy, Lunaris records (2016)USA
Associated acts	Headmistress Band in Rocktober Blood movie
Past members	Richard(Smokey)Taylor Richie King Perry Morris Greg MaGie David Glen Eisley

The U.S. rock band Sorcery were from Hollywood and Los Angeles, California circa 1976 to 1987.

Sorcery was a musical theatrical group from Los Angeles CA. formed in 1976. Known for their music, and elaborate stage show consisting of a hard rock band and two master magicians who incorporated the use of magic illusions in the on-stage battle where Merlin takes on Satan. Band members were Los Angeles based musicians, Richard (Smokey) Taylor guitarist, bass player Richie King, Greg MaGie Lead Vocals and L.A. studio drummer, Perry Morris. Magicians Paul Haynes played the part of "Merlin" and Curtis James Hyde played the part of the "Devil" in the show. Haynes and Hyde were also honorary members of the "Magic Castle" in Hollywood, California. Their live stage show was billed as "The King of the Wizards against the Prince of Darkness" and played only a small number of shows before they were signed in December 1977 for the movie Stunt Rock, and January 1978 with EMI Records. Sorcery also appeared on Dick Clark TV specials. In 1982, they appeared on Dick Clark's 90 minute TV special, "A Rockin Halloween". Other artists on this show, Devo, Eddie Money, Jermaine Jackson, and Tony Basil and hosted by Fred Travalena. In 1983 they again appeared on Dick Clark's Halloween TV special, "A Magical Musical Halloween" along with Kim Carnes, INXS, Sparks, Billy Joel, and Jeffrey Osborne. Hosted by master magician, Harry Blackstone Jr. They also provided the "Bumper" music for both those TV shows. In the summer of 1983, while they were recording and filming the Dick Clark special, they signed to do the "Rocktober Blood" movie project, with filming and recording to start in September 1983. They would have on-screen parts playing the part of the fictitious "Headmistress" band and also provide the majority of the films soundtrack album. They were members of S.A.G., (Screen Actors Guild,) AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), and the American Federation of Musicians, (AFM/AFofM) in Hollywood CA.

The band played at the Hollywood (Los Angeles) clubs Whisky a Go Go and the Starwood during 1976 and 1977. They headlined every one of those shows. They only played 6 to 8 shows between 1976–77. After a 1977 show at the Starwood club in Hollywood,they were approached by William Nelson, from "Orr Management", and presented with a management offer with his company. They signed with his company, Orr Management in June 1977.

In September 1977, Arnie Frank, from the Jon Peters agency in Beverly Hills CA., called Sorcery's manager, William Nelson, regarding a movie project he was working on, ultimately entitled Stunt Rock. The executive producer for the film was Herman Ilmer, from the Bassart-Group in Holland, and it was produced by U.S. movie producer, Martin Fink. The deal was for the band to appear in the picture, and provided the movie's soundtrack. The film was being directed by Australian Director, Brian Trenchard-Smith, and it starred Australian Stuntman Grant Page and the Dutch actress Monique van de Ven. The band would have a co-starring role as well. The picture was shot in Los Angeles in early 1978. The soundtrack album was recorded at the Warner Bros. Burbank studio's in March 1978 and produced by Jimmy Haskell. The film was released in Europe in the Fall of 1978. For the U.S. and Canadian markets, Allied Artists bought the distribution rights. Three months prior to the release date, Allied filed Bankruptcy in New York. The distribution rights for the picture were then placed in 1980, with Film Ventures International who released the picture in the U.S. and Canadian markets.