Musician Roy Wood is 80 Today

Roy Wood, born on November 8, 1946, in Birmingham, is an English singer-songwriter, producer, and remarkably versatile multi-instrumentalist.

He played a major role in British rock starting in the late 1960s, shaping The Move, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), and Wizzard, while moving seamlessly across psychedelia, orchestral rock, glam, and traditional rock ’n’ roll.

Central to Wood’s renown is his musicianship, covering guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, cello, saxophones, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, horns, sitar, and a wide array of other instruments. 

Wood holds a unique position in British pop history as his work blends several seemingly distinct movements—psychedelic pop, progressive/orchestral rock, glam, and rock ’n’ roll revivalism..

Along with his involvement in early Electric Light Orchestra tracks, his songwriting with The Move and Wizzard forms a major part of his legacy.

Every Christmas, he is warmly remembered whenever the Wizzard song "I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day" is played on radio or TV.

Happy birthday, Roy.

Below you’ll find a video from Top of the Pops (1973), featuring my favourite Roy Wood track, “Forever.”