Wizzard

Pop genius and frontman Roy Wood, formerly of The Move and the Electric Light Orchestra, assembled eight musicians to form Wizzard, an eccentric British pop group active between 1972 and 1975. The group made their debut in 1972 at Wembley Stadium, before performing at Reading Festival. In 1973 they released the smash Christmas hit "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday", as well as the top ten single "Ball Park Accident". Wizzard only ever released two albums during their three year run, namely Wizzard Brew and Introducing Eddy and the Falcons and their biggest hit in the UK was their second single, "See My Baby Jive", which held onto the Number 1 spot for four weeks. 1974 tour dates had to be postponed due to members' illnesses, provoked by the heavy work schedule, and the increasing running costs (made worse by the band's tendency to smash up the piano at every gig they played) contributed to the band's split in 1975. However, a third album, Main Street was recorded in 1975 but not released until 2000 whilst "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day" has now become part of every Christmas playlist in shops around the country and from 1984 reached the top 50 UK charts three more times.