Wizzard

Wizzard
Wizzard in 1974
Background information
Origin	Birmingham, West Midlands, England
Genres	Glam rock
Years active	1972–1976
Labels	Jet, EMI, United Artists, Warner Bros., Edsel
Associated acts	Electric Light Orchestra, The Move, Wizzo Band, Violinski
Past members	Roy Wood Mike Burney Charlie Grima Nick Pentelow Rick Price Keith Smart Bill Hunt Hugh McDowell Bob Brady

Wizzard were an English glam rock band formed by Roy Wood, former member of The Move and co-founder of the Electric Light Orchestra. The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits states, "Wizzard was Roy Wood just as much as Wings were Paul McCartney." They are most famous for their 1973 Christmas song "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday".

Not long after the release of Electric Light Orchestra's first album, Wood found himself frequently at odds with co-leader Jeff Lynne. After increasing personal and musical differences it became clear that both could no longer work together in the same group, so Wood left, taking band members Bill Hunt (keyboards and french horn) and Hugh McDowell (cello), as well as ELO's sound engineer, Trevor Smith, with him, to form Wizzard. Also in the line-up were former Move bassist Rick Price, drummers Charlie Grima and Keith Smart (all formerly of Birmingham group Mongrel), and saxophone players Mike Burney and Nick Pentelow (the son of actor Arthur Pentelow). Prior to the recording of the band's second album, Introducing Eddy and the Falcons, McDowell left and was not replaced, and during the recording of the album Bill Hunt also departed and was replaced by Bob Brady (also from Mongrel). Prior to the recording of the band's final album, 2000's Main Street, in 1975, drummer Keith Smart departed the band and was not replaced.