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Biography
The group Blue Magic is unfortunately often overlooked in discussions of the great Philly soul acts of the 70s, but the quintet was responsible for some of the most enjoyable smooth soul of that decade. Consisting of Ted 'Wizard' Mills, Vernon Sawyer, Wendell Sawyer, Keith 'Duke' Beaton and Richard Pratt, Blue Magic was formed in Philadelphia and began recording for Atlantic records in 1973. The group became one of the earliest acts produced by veteran Philly guitarist Norman Harris, who spent most of the decade in the shadow of Gamble & Huff but who masterminded a number of great albums for artists from the Trammps to the Temptations.
Blue Magic's debut album included a number of quality tunes, perhaps the best of which was "Look Me Up," an infectious stepper highlighted by Mills' clear falsetto, and which created early comparisons with the Stylistics. Real crossover success came in 1974 with "Sideshow," a now classic Philly forlorn ballad that topped the Soul charts and made the Pop top 10. The rather contrived follow-up, "Three Ring Circus," was musically another solid ballad that did well despite its obvious attempt to mimic "Sideshow" (even beginning with the same carnival barker). Over the next three years Blue Magic became know mostly for their smooth ballads, and the group stayed high on the Soul charts with "Stop to Start" and "Chasing Rainbows," before landing a big hit with the dance tune "Magic of the Blue."
Blue Magic's fortunes faded as the 70s came to an end, and Richard Pratt left in the early 80s. However, they continued to record sporadically, landing two moderately successful comeback albums, 1983's Magic # and 1989's From Out of the Blue. The group's discography is well represented in a number of compilations, though their original albums are generally unavailable on CD.
By the 90s, lead singer Mills had left the group for a solo career, and he is still performing, mostly in multi-act soul music shows. He recently appeared in the touring play "Girl He Ain't Worth It" with the Manhattans, Me'lissa Morgan and Tito Jackson as well as joining Russell Thompkins Jr and William Hart in the 3 Tenors of Soul. A reconstituted Blue Magic, consisting of the two Sawyers, Beaton and lead singer Wade Elliott, continued to tour in soul music shows and appeared on a 2003 PBS 70s Soul special, still sounding quite good.
By Chris Rizik
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Comments
Ted this Don from Last
last august-Don - February 6th, 2009
Ted this Don from Last August, How are you long time Bro Thanks for signing my petition for Poogie. Look my brother Gab has a myspace site talk to him for me.at http://www.myspace.com/michaelgabriel or GabrielMichael52 may be I can catch up with you. Love you guys. Tell Poogie & Russell Hello Peace. Hey! Tell Bunny that song (Nobody else but me) I love it and would like to record it.
Ted this Don from Last
last august-Don - February 7th, 2009
Ted this Don from Last August how are you long time Bro Thanks for signing my petition for Poogie. Look my brother gab has a myspace site talk to him for me.at http://www.myspace.com/michaelgabriel52 may be I can talk to you to Love you guys. Tell Poogie and Russell hello
love major Hi im Major
major - March 30th, 2009
love major Hi im Major Harris 3rd from Los Angeles,CA. The manager and son of Major Harris and second cousin of Norman Harris. I want to thank Ted Mills/Blue Magic - Margie Joseph - Major Harris for coming back toghether again as The 3 M s on stage in concert. thank you love major
Sideshow has to be their all
gognod - July 10th, 2009
Sideshow has to be their all time best song for me along with their debut album Blue Magic. The Magic of the Blue and 13 Blue Magic Lane were both very good but didn't quite have the same impact as the first album. All very much worth a listen if you haven't heard.
Steve
