History
Blue Magic was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1972 when former member of The Delfonics, Randy Cain brought singer-songwriter Ted Mills in to do some writing with the Philly-based WMOT production company and a short time later, the group Shades of Love, featuring Keith Beaton, Richard Pratt, Vernon Sawyer and his brother Wendell, came in for an audition. According to Marc Taylor, in his book A Touch of Classic Soul of the Early 1970's, "although the group performed admirably, they lacked a standout lead singer. WMOT execs decided to put Mills with the Shades of Love and re-named the group Blue Magic. They were signed with Atco Records in the same year."
Blue Magic were one of the earliest acts produced by Norman Harris, a Philadelphia records veteran. The group's harmonies were supported by the MFSB studio house band. The early releases from their first album in 1973 were mainly confined to the R&B chart. Blue Magic broke through in a big way the following year with their first million-selling US Top 10 hit single "Sideshow". It was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in August 1974. It climbed to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the R&B chart. A follow-up, "Three Ring Circus" also sold well, reaching #36 in the pop chart and #5 R&B. Both were co-written by MFSB guitarist Bobby Eli, who played on the sessions.
The group became known mostly for their smooth ballads. The album Thirteen Blue Magic Lane in 1975 maintained the group's popularity and spawned their version of the popular dance number "We're On The Right Track" as well as the hit ballad, "Chasing Rainbows". Some of MFSB's best work can be found on "The Magic of the Blue", "Welcome To The Club", "We're On The Right Track", and "Look Me Up."
Blue Magic had two R&B chart singles in 1975 and four in 1976. The song, "What's Come Over Me" from their debut album was re-worked as a duet with Margie Joseph dubbed in alongside Mills' original lead vocals. The new approach saw the song, initially on the b-side of the group's second single, climb to #11 on the R&B chart in late 1975.
The group had their first world tour that year, which lasted for 16 weeks. The tour included 48 states in the United States, five countries in Europe, and a 10-day stay in the Philippines. Blue Magic concluded their tour with a two-week engagement in the Virgin Islands. In April 1975, they were chosen as the best new group of the year which earned them an Ebony Award.
By 1977, the group's popularity was starting to fade as music styles changed and despite the group continuing to record consistently, they failed to chart. Label moves to Capitol and then Mirage resulted in a return to the R&B chart, but without any real major success. Lead singer Ted Mills and Richard Pratt left in the 1980s. Mills was replaced by Rod Wayne. The group had some renewed popularity in 1989 with a comeback album, From Out of the Blue. Wayne was later replaced by Martinez Little.
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