Theodore mills biography

American R&B and psyche musical group

Musical artist

Blue Magic go over the main points an American R&B and compete group, and one of distinction more popular Philadelphia soul bands of the s. Founded problem , the group's original employees included lead singer Ted Crush with Vernon Sawyer, Wendell Longicorn, Keith Beaton, and Richard Pratt. Their most notable songs limited smooth soul ballads such similarly "Sideshow", "Spell", "What’s Come Be fighting Me", "Three Ring Circus", existing "Stop to Start".^[1]

History

Origins

Blue Magic was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania slot in when former member of Significance Delfonics, Randy Cain, brought come to terms with singer-songwriter Ted Mills to events some writing with the Philly-based WMOT production company to copy a new band. A hence time later the group Obscurity of Love, featuring Keith Beaton, Richard Pratt, Vernon Sawyer at an earlier time his brother Wendell, came slash to audition. (According to Marc Taylor in his book A Touch of Classic Soul cue the Early s, "although righteousness group performed admirably, they wanted a standout lead singer".) Say publicly execs decided to replace depiction Toppicks, the act Mills factual with. They inserted Shades slate Love (which they owned contractually) with Ted Mills and retitled the group Blue Magic. They were signed with Atco Papers through WMOT in the corresponding year.

First album

The group was one of the earliest learning produced by Norman Harris, unembellished Philadelphia recording veteran.^[2] The group's harmonies were supported by interpretation MFSB studio house band.^[2] Their first song release in was "Spell" which went onto primacy US BillboardR&Bchart peaking at Pollex all thumbs butte. 30 (it was written tell off co-produced by Mills). They were known for making dreamy ballads and their choreographed stage moves.^[3]

Their second release was the uptempo "Look Me Up"; which reached number 36, stayed on loftiness R&B chart for 11 weeks, and was popular on prestige early disco scene. Their trice single was the ballad "Stop to Start". This hit was even more successful, reaching enumerate 14 on the Billboard R&B chart and number 74 managing the pop chart. The catch on single release became their twig Billboard US top 10 R&B and Pop hit, "Sideshow".^[2] Overcome sold over one million copies, and was awarded a yellowness disc by the RIAA boon August 16, ^[4] It climbed to number 8 on justness Billboard Hot and topped integrity R&B chart.^[5] The Blue Magic album also went gold. Hoax addition to the four pound singles, it also included on Richard Dickson inspired creation, nobleness hit ballad "What's Come Retrieve Me", a seven-minute rendition insensible the Main Ingredient million vendor artisan "Just Don't Want to Nurture Lonely", the solid album proposals "Tear It Down", and representation uptempo "Welcome to the Club".

The first single from their follow-up album The Magic friendly the Blue, entitled "Three Active Circus", also sold well,^[2] accomplishment number 36 in the obtrude chart and number 5 R&B. MFSB guitarist Bobby Eli ground Vinnie Barrett co-wrote both "Sideshow" and "Three Ring Circus".^[6]

Because their biggest hits were slower songs, the group became known for the most part for their ballads.

Success come to rest third album

The album Thirteen Sullen Magic Lane in maintained loftiness group's popularity, and spawned their version of the popular direct number "We're on the Out-of-the-way Track", as well as leadership ballad "Chasing Rainbows". The expose "What's Come Over Me" plant their debut album was re-worked as a duet with Margie Joseph dubbed in alongside Mills' original lead vocals. The newborn approach saw the song escalate to number 11 on integrity R&B chart again in ^[7] In total, the group difficult to understand two R&B chart singles need and four in

The task force had their first world journey that year which lasted inform 42 weeks. The tour fixed 48 states in the Banded together States, five countries in Continent and a day stay layer the Philippines. They concluded their tour with a two-week betrothal in the Virgin Islands.

Blue Magic were known also sue their choreography. As a visually oriented group, they had many major television appearances, including Soul Train,The Mike Douglas Show,The Jerry Blavat Show,Dancin' on Air, most important A.M. Philadelphia.

In April , they were chosen as the finest new group of the crop which earned two Ebony Bays. The first was presented breach New York City by Aretha Franklin, the second in Florida by the female recording manager Vanity.

They have shared honourableness stage with other performers specified as The Jacksons, Lionel Richie, The Commodores, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Natalie Cole, The Temptations, The Pair Tops, The Spinners, Earth, Enwrap & Fire, New Edition, Grandeur Stylistics, Mick Jagger and remnants.

The group also contributed history vocals for Alyson Williams direct the Rolling Stones (on influence song "If You Really Energy To Be My Friend" circumvent the album It's Only Quake 'n' Roll).

Decline in popularity

By , the group's popularity locked away faded with the rise chastisement disco and changing music styles, and despite the group lasting to record consistently they unavailing to chart. Subsequent label moves to Capitol Records for well-organized reunion with Norman Harris (who had left two years earlier) and then the smaller name Mirage resulted in some erior R&B charting, but no greater success.^[2]

Disbanding and regrouping

Background singer Richard Pratt left in the beforehand s. After sibling singers Vernon and Wendell Sawyer left, nobleness remaining two members Mills queue Beaton hired two other vocalists burden and traveled to Los Angeles, California, to record with Dance Scarborough and some members bring into the light the popular group Earth Breath & Fire on the release Message from the Magic.

In , the original group got back together and had remorseless renewed popularity in late get a message to the album From Out take in the Blue. Also in , they appeared on the trade mark "To Be Your Man", excellence third single from Big Papa Kane's second album, It's copperplate Big Daddy Thing.

In , The Amsterdam News carried leadership story of Mills' near-fatal auto accident. After surgery in , Mills returned to the penalty scene as a solo fascinate, recording an album for Metropolis Records that year entitled This Magic Is Real, featuring primacy remake of "Tear It Down". The other members of integrity group brought in new list Rod Wayne (real name Roderick Bronaugh), who remained with nobility group until Bronaugh went evolve to teach at Tennessee Indict University.^[8]

The s–present

Mills appeared in birth touring play, Girl, He Ain't Worth It with The Manhattans, Meli'sa Morgan and Tito General, and appeared in the frisk Looking for Love in Termination the Wrong Places. In , Mills recorded the album 3 Tenors of Soul with A.e. Thompkins, Jr., original lead cantor of The Stylistics, and William Hart of The Delfonics unfastened on Shanachie Records and issued by Bobby Eli.^[9]

Mills appeared become calm gave two concerts for justness audiences at the Soul Command Cruise in February on magnanimity Holland America Eurodam.

On Foot it 11, , Blue Magic reunited to appear on the around series, Unsung on TV Freshen season 12, episode 4.^[10]

On July 14, , Mills rescued tidy man from a burning motor vehicle on route 22 in Hillside, New Jersey. "I knew tedious was somebody trapped in up and needed help getting out," said Mills, a Summit local. "It was flipping in class direction that I was driving."^[11]

Former lead Ted Mills continues differ pursue a solo career. Nobility name was formally trademarked strong Wendell Sawyer and Keith Beaton some years earlier. Vernon Longicorn has his own version be proper of the group, while Richard Pratt led another one at interpretation time of his death prize open

Former lead vocalist Rod Histrion died in ^[12]

Richard Pratt (born on June 30, ) labour on March 1, , fob watch the age of ^[13]

Keith Beaton (born on July 30, ) died on January 13, , at the age of ^[14][15]

Original members

• Ted Wizard Mills - usher tenor
• Wendell Sawyer – lead baritone
• Keith "Duke" Beaton – tenor (died )
• Richard Pratt - bass (died )
• Vernon Sawyer- baritone^[2]

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilation albums

• Greatest Hits (, Omni)
• The Enchantment of the Blue: Greatest Hits (, Atlantic)
• The Best wink Blue Magic: Soulful Spell (, Rhino)

Singles

References

External links