@@williamevans9426this was a time when groups really put time & effort into a Christmas song, though I do like Leona Lewis counting down to Christmas 🎉
I saw him with Wizzard live a few years ago. It was June and the middle of summer but of course the show finishes with 'I wish it could be Christmas Everyday'. Great fun
Roy Wood , the vocalist was originally in the 60's band , The Move. He then went on to co-found Electric Light Orchestra {ELO) with Jeff Lyne. He only stayed for 1 album after a fall out with management. He then formed Wizard and this song has been a christmas staple every year since it's release in 1973. Wizards biggest hit was See my Baby Jive.
Y'see here in the UK, this song is played every year without fail. Basically it's not officially Christmas in the UK until you hear Wizzard, Slade, Mudd, Cliff Richard, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Wham, Shakin' Stevens or the Pogues whilst out shopping at least once. Roy Wood must be chuffed. Imagine writing a christmas song so catchy that it becomes an annual anthem and you get all that lovely money that comes with it every time it's played (assuming he still has rights to the song).
Yep......whamageddon! Managed to get to yesterday as have not been out to the shops this year! You forgot Bandaid "do they know it's Christmas" but other than that spot on
Roy Wood and Wizzard didn't just dress up for this video, they wore crazy clothes and makeup for every performance. This song is a perennial hit every year in the UK. I'm sure Roy Wood makes a living just from royalties for this song these days.
@@thewkovacs316 the move were booked at Filimore, they sort of did one or two performances but instances with I think a few TVs and turned over hotel rooms and a big split between Carl Wayne and Rick on bass ( I dont think Ace made it to the USA) , terminated the promotion and tour. Roy and Bev returned to the UK and regrouped with Jeff Lynne Joining and the cross over from The Move to ELO happened with assorted releases turning up on different names to fulfil album contracts. Roy seems to get bored easily but has been part of the UK music scene for 60 decades now, including working as producer, and on and off with Bev Bevan with Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy) and other groups and promoting other singers but staying mainly around his Birmingham Roots.
@@thewkovacs316 their manager / promoter was basically rubbish. Plus by 67/68 the usa audience was sort of hung up on a little matter of vietnam. Additionally Roy was great at creating a pastiche of sounds just past and did not break significant new ground with The Move to compete with the multitude of USA bands , many themseleves never getting home country recognition, even Elvis had faded until the concert that sprang the comeback.
Whoa, I've never heard this one before. Why doesn't this play on radios in the US??? It's wonderfully upbeat! I love it when artists create their own holiday songs instead of doing the same old standards, it adds variety to the playlist. Need more of this! UK always produces the best songs.
Wizzard - two "z"s. It was their biggest, for sure, but not their only big hit, at all. "Angel Fingers (A Teen Ballad)" was also a UK#1, and they had three other UK Top10 hits, as well.
Merry Christmas Jamel. Wizzard - "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" has been played religiously (PUN INTENDED)Every Christmas here in the U.K since the 1970s along with SLADE- "Merry Xmas Everybody" Those kids have got tot be in their 50s now
Others to consider: Kate Bush's "December Will Be Magic Again," Jethro Tull's "Ring Out Solstice Bells," The Kinks' "Father Christmas," Greg Lake's "I Believe in Father Christmas," Squeeze's "Christmas Day," The Band's "Christmas Must Be Tonight," XTC's "Thanks for Christmas," and Paul Simon's "Getting Ready for Christmas Day."
That was 1973. I was 8 then and I'm 55 now so yeah, I'd guess the youngest of those kids must be like 48 or 49. It would certainly be a trip to say you were in that video but I imagine it would get old after a while.
The singer for Wizzard, Roy Wood, is very well known in the UK for being in a number of bands throughout the 60s and 70s. Another good Wizzard song is See My Baby Jive.
Roy Wood was the power behind Wizzard. He met Jeff Lynn when they were in 'The Move' together, then they formed ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) but Roy left soon after to form Wizzard. He plays almost instruments as well as producing and recording. His most requested song is this one. During one concert, Roy forgot the words and fell about laughing. He has always believed that costumes and appearances are just as important as the music.
Roy knew Jeff before that when Roy was in the Nighriders and Jeff in The Idle Race. Ace Kefford had wanted Jeff for the Move much earlier, but Jeff could not comit (probably just as well as the extra time away made it better when he did join with Bev , Roy and shortly later Richard Tandy, bringing some of his earlier written material and complimenting Roy , their interaction on 'Tonight' shows how they worked together.
I first heard this song about 10 years ago, and I still like it. I've read Roy Wood has apologized for contributing to the dreaded Christmas music genre, but to me this is one of the bright spots in the genre. Just a fun, joyous song that always tends to lift my spirits.
It's a must. As we say here in the UK, it's not Christmas until Noddy says it is. It's snowing here today, and it's bitterly cold, and IT'S CHRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISTMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS! Jamel. Slade. You know you want to.
Great stuff Jamel been watching your stuff for the last 3 hours with a few cold beers,merry Christmas to you and your family from all your followers here in England.
Roy Wood was an amazing musician and song writer, lots of very popular songs were written by him and he even was one of the early founders of ELO. Saw him in concert in the middle of June 20 years ago and he sang this song several times with the whole crowd singing along in the hot sunshine....was amazing show.
Thanks for reacting to this timeless, hi-vibe staple of UK Christmas hits! Santa meets glam rock, always loved it! And you really can't get more 70s than how this band looks :D This song was a big hit the christmas when my mum was expecting me (I'm 46) and was played all the way through my childhood every Christmas
Roy Wood grew up a few doors up from my dad in Yardley Wood, Birmingham. Now you’ve played this you have to play Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade...... it’s the law.
Wizzard leader Roy Wood was an original member of The Move and ELO. He created the idea of an orchestral rock and roll band with ELO and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his early work on ELO’s first album. He sang lead on the ELO song “Whisper in the Night”.
@@jamelakajamal The Move also consisted of original ELO drummer Bev Bevan and later Jeff Lynne on the last 2 albums. Bev is also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with ELO for playing drums on all their albums.
Greg Lakes song is great but sorry to burst your bubble but it is a very bitter song. Listen to the lyrics. ," A veil of tears for the virgin birth. ". I saw him and through his disguise. " The Christmas we get we deserve. It's thought provoking but it ain't nicey nicey
The lead singer of Wizzard (Roy Wood) was a founder member of The Move with Jeff Lynne and briefly was in ELO with him. Roy was a multi instumentalist and producer who was inluenced by the Beatles and especially Phil Spector. He had hits in the UK with this, Angel Fingers, See My Baby Jive and Ball Park Incident .
Jeff lynne was not a founder member of the move he didn't join till 1970 when roy asked him to replace Carl wayne who'd left and to also join his elo project
Roy wood was the founder member of The Move, which Jeff lynne later joined , they then formed ELO together but had musical differences and Roy wood created Wizzard
Roy Wood is a very talented musician and much underrated musician. He started so many bands The Move , ELO, Wizard , I can always remember when I was a kid waiting at the bus stop and Roy Wood came out of the off-licence and dressed like he is now . A Real Brummy from Kitts Green.
Now it’s Christmas hearing this.Merry Christmas Jamel and your lovely family, thank you for keeping us all sane with wonderful music during a difficult year X
This came out in 1973 - The lead singer Roy Wood founded ELO and was in a band called the Move. I dunno about other countries but this is a british staple, belting it out every single Christmas
'73 was a good year for Christmas songs in the UK -- in addition to this, you also got Elton John's "Step Into Christmas" and Slade's "Merry Xmas, Everybody."
Roy Wood was a founding member of Electric Light Orchestra from 1970 until 1972, when he left ELO he formed Wizzard, they had two #1 hits in the UK. Due to the band changing record labels at the end of 1973 and both Harvest and Warner Brothers releasing "I wish it Could be Christmas Everyday", the Warner Brothers singles were withdrawn from sale as the band were still signed to Harvest at the time, the singles were in short supply and it only reached #4 in the UK chart. Wizzard disbanded in 1975 and Roy Wood formed his short lived jazz rock outfit Wizzo Band.
There is a tradition for the deliberately kitsch Christmas song. The biggie is Slade's "Merry Christmas Everybody" but you've hit some high points already! Roy Wood is quite something, an illustrious career, starting in The Move, then ELO, then Wizzard.
British band "Wizzard" were formed around 1972. This song was a Christmas hit in December 1973. The singer is Roy Wood, who used to be one of the founder members of The Electric Light Orchestra together with Jeff Lynn. Other Wizzard songs to check out are "Ball Park Incident", and "Oh What A Shame". Both utterly joyful! Please react to them.
Jamel.... “The Christmas light Onesie” & the snowfall effect at the start look really cool mate. I think if you tried hard enough, you could “blend in” to your background as the colours look similar. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you, your family & EVERYONE on this channel around the world.... From 🇦🇺Australia🇦🇺. Here’s hoping 2021 is a bigger, better & brighter year for ALL of us 🎄🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎄
Jamel's never heard this before, and neither have I. I just dropped by to see a 6'5" elf in a Onesie 🎀 Merry Christmas to you and all 625k of your other subs 🎄
Thanks for reacting to this oldie! I’d recommend checking out Slade’s ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’. I think it was a #1 Christmas tune in the UK. Better yet, react to Slade’s rock songs. (Cum on feel the noise, Luk Wat uv dun to me, ...). IMHO a very underrated group in the US. Quiot Riot had succes in the 1980s covering Slade songs
The girl on the sax sometimes turns up discussing on daytime TV progs. The instruments were props from the BBC department for TOTP and the BBC were going to ask for them back - Roy told the BBC that the kids should keep them.
Oh man oh man. If you grew up in Britain anytime in the last 45 or so years you would know this song like the back of your hand. It is constantly playing in every damn shop from about the middle of November! Peace out and Happy Christmas to all. Here's to a better 2021.
The lead singer Roy Wood was a co founder of Electric Light Orchestra (or ELO) who you should definitely check out. As for Wizzard probably their other biggest hit would be See My Baby Jive, I can't think of any others that they did though I'm sure there are more!
Angel Fingers? Roy Wood had a solo hit in 1973 with "Forever". I had a compilation CD with ELO, Wizzard, Roy Wood, The Move, all songs sung by Roy! 4 tracks from the same person!!
The singer in this band is Roy Wood. His mother used to live in the same street as my family in the 70s and Roy Wood would visit her every couple of weeks. He used to make a point of spending time with the kids playing in the street. He was a great guy and a lot of fun to be around. He was also an original member of E.L.O. He played cello on their first album.
Back when we didn't take ourselves too seriously. Merry Christmas Pal.. Also, have a look at Lonely this Christmas by Mud. You'd swear it was Elvis singing it but it's actually a bit of a spoof that became a massive hit.
If Jamel does that song, it would be good if he did the video version where Les Gray (lead singer) is using a puppet to help him say the words in the song! Funny!!
@@bibiobing Me calling it a bit of a spoof of Elvis is doing it a big injustice. It's a great Christmas song in It's own right. Would love him to react to it.
@@bibiobing Mud were the first band I saw live too! In February 1974, in Lowestoft, when Tiger Feet was no. 1. Lucky enough to see them loads of times after, loved them!
The original vocals were by a group of kids from Birmingham (UK), but due to Equity were not allowed to appear on TV or the video, so these kids are all from Italia Conti (stage school with many famous alumni).
One of my favourite music experiences was sitting in an English field in August at a music festival Roy was on stage, and got all 20,000 of us singing "I Wish It Could Be Xmas Every Day" - absolute magic!!! Btw, it was first released in 1973, and was kept off the Xmas No. 1 spot by another UK classic , Slade with "Merry Christmas Everybody" which you also need to "do". PPS This was the era, in the UK, of "Glam-Rock" with those groups, plus Sweet, Mud, Glitter Band, T Rex and others determined to bring a sense of fun & joy back to pop music - hence the outrageous outfits.
This and Slades Christmas song were absolute classic Christmas songs. Wizzard were one of the most popular bands of the decade. The lead singer was previously in a band called The Move, their song California Man is amazing. The Move included Roy Wood, the lead of Wizzard and Jeff Lynn of ELO, the Electric Light Orchestra.
Jamel - Probably their other track to listen to would be "See My Baby Jive"... They weren't on the scene for very long and these two were about the only chart success they had... I don't know if you have heard of this one but how about the band Slade and "MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY"...!!! This was a huge song in the UK and came out the same year as this track did...
They actually had 6 Top10 UK hits, almost back-to-back. You are forgetting (or ignoring) "Ball Park Incident" (UK#6/1972), "Angel Fingers (A Teen Ballad)" (UK#1/1973), "Rock 'n' Roll Winter (Loony's Tune)" (UK#6/1974), and "Are You Ready to Rock?" (UK#8/1974). "This Is the Story of My Love (Baby)" from their LP, Introducing Eddy and the Falcons also cracked the UK Top40 at #34 (1974).
@@MRoyClark Isn't it weird how one's music tastes inform what you recall. I had a look at Wikipedia just to remind myself of their other hits and, as you say, in amongst that list "See My Baby Jive" was the only one that pushed itself to the front of my brain as being something I had either heard regularly on the radio or seen on TOTP. Have a great Christmas BTW and I hope Santa is good to you.. :)
@@johnpbh Fair enough. And just because something was a major hit in the early 1970s doesn't mean it stayed in the public consciousness, either. Lots of major hits will slip between the cracks in our memories over the years, and for a number of reasons. Often, songs that are left off the rotation of "oldies" format radio stations won't make it into movies or onto compilations as the years pass by. "See My Baby Jive" was a monster hit, so along with their Xmas perennial, it's bound to be the main one that lingers in the mind, because it is the one that gets the most love from Oldies radio, soundtracks, and compilations. Being a bit younger and from the US, I discovered all of Wizzard's songs at once and only know of their chart impact and cultural resonance through reading and research. It's easy to lose perspective on how certain hits burrow themselves into the public consciousness while others recede into the background.
I think this song was first released in around 1974. The wonderful Roy Wood turned 74 last month and still tours where possible. He was in a very early incarnation of ELO and was an integral part of The Move. He's kind of an under-rated genius. Blackberry Way or Fire Brigade by The Move are wonderful songs.
There aren`t too many Christmas rock songs, this is one of my favourites. Roy Wood the singer of Wizzard went on to form ELO. Two other great rock Christmas songs to check out are Slade - Merry christmas everybody and The Darkness Christmas time
To be honest, i cannot name one other song by Wizzard, but, as Christmas songs go, that's not a bad one to be remembered for. (That said, i loved Roy Wood's earlier band, The Move)
You've asked, 'where did Wizzard come from?' Well, they were 1/2 of a band called, 'Electric Light Orchestra'. ELO broke up after their 1st album, 1/2 the group continued on with the ELO named, while the rest joined up as, Wizzard. Wizzard only did 2 albums (both worth listening to), before breaking up, also, & some of its members rejoining ELO, & singer, Roy Wood, continuing on as a solo artist for a while, putting out 4 albums of his own. As for the age of the kids, this song came out almost 50 years ago, so they're all middle-aged now. Like, me. . .
@@Jamie-jg6yt The original group was the Move, founded by Roy Wood, which broke up after 2 albums. They then reformed with Jeff Lynne joining their ranks, & they put out 2 more albums then became ELO, then Roy Wood left, taking 1/2 the band with him, & formed Wizzard. Jeff Lynne kept the name ELO & continued on. After Wizzard's 2nd album, they broke up, & the members went back to Lynne & ELO. And, that's the nutshell, condensed version.
Technically more like 40% of ELO; only keyboardist/French horn player Bill Hunt and cellist Hugh McDowell went with him; drummer Bev Bevan, bass player/keyboardist Richard Tandy, cellist Mike Edwards, and violinist Wilf Gibson all remained in the group alongside Jeff Lynne.
@@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy Yeah, I tried to keep it a simple as possible. The Move to ELO to Wizzard is a complicated story. Toss the Idle Race in & it would take a lot of typing.
@@TheCosmicGenius And of course McDowell returned to ELO in late '73 and remained with them until Lynne dismissed the string players at the end of the decade.
Wizzard's main man Roy Wood has a long history. Many hits with The Move in the late 60s, then a founder member of Electric Light Orchestra, then many, many hits with Wizzard.
Roy Wood who's the lead singer in the group still looks much like this B-) I remember the song first time around in the 70's they make a lot of money from the royalties on just this song,around the same time you had Noddy Holder and Slade with a Christmas song,by that I mean not in the same year but in the same decade,and he also has made a fortune from the royalties,they've all made different records since the 70's
When asked by Chris Evans (the uk DJ , not Cap America) how to write a Christmas hit record Roy Wood of Wizard replied “ I wish I knew, I’d write another one, because this paid for my house”😀 Merry Xmas and happy new year
One of the more talented Brits no one's ever heard of, Roy Wood was in Idle Race, the Move, and helped found ELO with the one everyone's heard of, Jeff Lynne. Roy is one of the few who can "play the studio," not only playing all the instruments on many, if not all, of his early '70s solo albums (recorded parallel to his stint in his own Wizzard), but producing as well. Wood joins the likes of Prince, Todd Rundgren, Stevie Wonder, and now, Paul McCartney, who can make that same boast! On this holiday perennial, as he did on many of his solo singles ("Angel Fingers," "See My Baby Jive"), Wood employs a Phil Spector-esque "everything AND the kitchen sink" production style! Horns, tympani, sleigh bells, glock, mass choirs all make their appearances on many of Wood's (and Wizzard's) recordings......An incredibly talented musician your fans, Jamel, would do well to dig into!
