Magic Sam

Samuel Gene Maghett became “Magic Sam”, after bassist Mack Thompson heard him being paged, last name first. Hence “Maghett, Samuel”, became “Magic Sam”. Known for his blues guitar work, Maghett, learned his licks by listening to records of Muddy Waters and Little Walter. At the age of 19 he moved to Chicago (1956) and was signed by Cobra Records. He became well known, in Blues circles, after the release of his first record, “All Your Love”, in 1957. He was famed through his tremolo guitar work. While with Cobra Records (1957 to 1959) he also recorded “Easy Baby”. His songs did not hit the charts but proved to be seminal to the Blues music scene , influencing guitarists and singers alike, becoming a keystone of the Westside Sound. In 1963 he gained recognition with “Feelin’ Good (We’re Gonna Boogie. After touring the United States, Britain and Germany, he signed with Delmark Records and in 1967 he recorded West Side Soul and Black Magic. He toured with the blues harp player Charlie Musselwhite and Sam Lay. His breakthrough performance came at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival in 1969, after which, came many bookings in the United States and Europe.

He died at the age of 32, but his influence spread widely.