A few weeks ago I ran a live ELO concert from 1976 and made mention of Roy Wood as original founding member of, not only ELO but the legendary 60's icons The Move. After his split from ELO, Roy Wood began a solo career but not before forming another band, Wizzard in the interim.
There are certainly some stylistic elements that are similar in both Wizzard and ELO, but Wizzard really tapped into the old Move hard-edge. Coupled with Wood's love of West Coast sounds, and certainly the sound of Phil Spector, he put out some classic songs during the early 1970's. And tonights track, See My Baby Jive ranks up there among one of his most memorable.
Roy Wood has not faded into the woodwork, by any means. He's still recording and performing. But tonight's track gives you some idea of what the fuss was all about when Roy Wood's Wizzard got started.
You might not be familiar with him. It's time you were.
