Magic Sam

Samuel Gene Maghett (February 14, 1937 – December 1, 1969), known as Magic Sam, was an American Chicago blues musician. He was born in Grenada County, Mississippi, and learned to play the blues from listening to records by Muddy Waters and Little Walter. After moving to Chicago at the age of 19, he was signed by Cobra Records and became well known as a bluesman after the release of his first record, "All Your Love", in 1957. He was known for his distinctive tremolo guitar playing.

The stage name Magic Sam was devised by Sam's bass player and childhood friend Mack Thompson at Sam's first recording session for Cobra, as an approximation of "Maghett Sam". The name Sam was using at the time, Good Rocking Sam, was already being used by another artist.

Life and career Maghett moved to Chicago in 1956, where his guitar playing earned him bookings at blues clubs on the West Side. alt=Magic Sam at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival. Photo by Jeff Titon. Magic Sam at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival.<-- This image is backwards, and needs to be reversed. See Talk. --> In 1963, his single "Feelin' Good (We're Gonna Boogie)" gained national attention. He successfully toured the U.S., Britain and Germany. He was signed to Delmark Records in 1967, for which he recorded West Side Soul and Black Magic. which won him many bookings in the U.S. and Europe. He sometimes performed with his uncle, Shakey Jake Harris.

Death His career was cut short when he died of a heart attack in December 1969. In February 1970, the Butterfield Blues Band played at a benefit concert for Magic Sam, at Fillmore West in San Francisco. Also on the bill were Mike Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite and Nick Gravenites.

Legacy Magic Sam's guitar style, vocals, and songwriting have inspired and influenced many blues musicians. "Magic Sam had a different guitar sound", said his record producer, Willie Dixon. "Most of the guys were playing the straight 12-bar blues thing, but the harmonies that he carried with the chords was a different thing altogether. This tune "All Your Love", he expressed with such an inspirational feeling with his high voice. You could always tell him, even from his introduction to the music."

His recording of the popular blues standard "Sweet Home Chicago" in 1967 has been identified as one of the most accomplished performances of the song. Author Stephen Thomas Erlewine writes:

For the performance of the song in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, John Belushi's character announces, "dedicate to the late great Magic Sam".

Awards and recognition 1982, Blues Foundation Blues Music Award for Magic Sam Live in the category Vintage or Reissue Album of the Year (US) 1982, Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, induction as Performer 1984, Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, West Side Soul selected in the category Classics of Blues Recordings – Albums Chief (C7013B)

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Antoine Domino Jr. Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew

Chief (C7026B) Maghett, Mel London

Chief (C7033A) Jessie Mae Robinson

Chief (C7033B) Maghett

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