Sorcery (band)

Sorcery

Sorcery in Concert
Background information
Origin Hollywood, California
Genres hard rock, heavy metal
Years active 1976–1987
Labels EMI Records,[1] Groovy (Holland),[2] Moving Image Entertainment Italy,[3] Lunaris records (2016)USA [4]
Associated acts Headmistress Band in Rocktober Blood movie
Past members Richard(Smokey)Taylor
Richie King
Perry Morris
Greg MaGie
David Glen Eisley

The U.S. rock band Sorcery were from Hollywood and Los Angeles, California[5] circa 1976 to 1987.

Background

Sorcery was a musical theatrical group from Los Angeles CA. formed in 1976. Known for their music, and elaborate stage show consisting of a hard rock band and two master magicians who incorporated the use of magic illusions in the on-stage battle where Merlin takes on Satan. Band members were Los Angeles based musicians, Richard (Smokey) Taylor guitarist, bass player Richie King, Greg MaGie Lead Vocals and L.A. studio drummer, Perry Morris. Magicians Paul Haynes played the part of "Merlin" and Curtis James Hyde played the part of the "Devil" in the show. Haynes and Hyde were also honorary members of the "Magic Castle" in Hollywood, California. Their live stage show was billed as "The King of the Wizards against the Prince of Darkness" and played only a small number of shows before they were signed in December 1977 for the movie Stunt Rock, and January 1978 with EMI Records. Sorcery also appeared on Dick Clark TV specials. In 1982, they appeared on Dick Clark's 90 minute TV special, "A Rockin Halloween". Other artists on this show, Devo, Eddie Money, Jermaine Jackson, and Tony Basil and hosted by Fred Travalena. In 1983 they again appeared on Dick Clark's Halloween TV special, "A Magical Musical Halloween" along with Kim Carnes, INXS, Sparks, Billy Joel, and Jeffrey Osborne. Hosted by master magician, Harry Blackstone Jr. They also provided the "Bumper" music for both those TV shows. In the summer of 1983, while they were recording and filming the Dick Clark special, Sorcery musicians, Perry Morris drummer, Richard Taylor guitarist, and bassist Richie King were signed to do the "Rocktober Blood" movie project, with filming and recording to start in September 1983. They would have on-screen parts playing the part of the fictitious "Headmistress" band and also provide the majority of the films soundtrack album. They were members of S.A.G., (Screen Actors Guild,) AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), and the American Federation of Musicians, (AFM/AFofM) in Hollywood CA.

History

1976–1980

The band played at the Hollywood (Los Angeles) clubs Whisky a Go Go and the Starwood during 1976 and 1977. They headlined every one of those shows. They only played 6 to 8 shows between 1976–77. After a 1977 show at the Starwood club in Hollywood,they were approached by William Nelson, from "Orr Management", and presented with a management offer with his company. They signed with his company, Orr Management in June 1977.

In September 1977, Arnie Frank, from the Jon Peters agency in Beverly Hills CA., called Sorcery's manager, William Nelson, regarding a movie project he was working on, ultimately entitled Stunt Rock.[6] The executive producer for the film was Herman Ilmer, from the Bassart-Group in Holland, and it was produced by U.S. movie producer, Martin Fink. The deal was for the band to appear in the picture, and provided the movie's soundtrack. The film was being directed by Australian Director, Brian Trenchard-Smith, and it starred Australian Stuntman Grant Page and the Dutch actress Monique van de Ven. The band would have a co-starring role as well. The picture was shot in Los Angeles in early 1978. The soundtrack album was recorded at the Warner Bros. Burbank studio's in March 1978 and produced by Jimmy Haskell. The film was released in Europe in the Fall of 1978. For the U.S. and Canadian markets, Allied Artists bought the distribution rights. Three months prior to the release date, Allied filed Bankruptcy in New York. The distribution rights for the picture were then placed in 1980, with Film Ventures International who released the picture in the U.S. and Canadian markets.

1981

In 1981, Sorcery was signed to its second Management contract with Al Anthony. Anthony, immediately booked them in Las Vegas, with "Starwood Productions", owner Beryl Cohen, to headline at the "Aladdin Theater for the Performing Arts", in Las Vegas for an October 31, Halloween Concert. That show was also co-hosted by a local Rock Radio station, "KENO FM-92". With the help of FM-92 radio station promotion, and local television ads, that concert sold-out in a matter of hours. After selling out the first show, Sorcery was asked to headline a second show the following weekend.

1982

In 1982, Sorcery releases the "Sorcery2" Album. Perry is contacted by the Dick Clark company's producer, Larry Klein, who signs Sorcery to appear on a Dick Clark 90 minute Halloween TV special, "A Rocking' Halloween".[7] Other artists on this show were Billy Joel, DEVO, Jermaine Jackson, Toni Basil, William Shatner, and host Fred Travalena.

1983

In 1983, Sorcery was asked back to do Dick Clark's second anniversary Halloween TV special, "A Magical Musical Halloween".[8] This show featured, Sorcery, INXS, Jeffrey Osborne, Sparks, Eddie Money, and Kim Carnes. Hosted by master magician, Harry Blackstone Jr.

In the summer of 1983, Sorcery band members, Richard Taylor, Richie King and Perry Morris signed with "Sebastian Productions", to do the motion picture, Rocktober Blood. They would play the part of the fictitious "Headmistress band" in the film. They also would provide the majority of the film's soundtrack album.[9] The Rocktober Blood movie soundtrack album was recorded in part at the "Baby-O" studios on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood CA.[10]

1984

The movie "Rocktober Blood" soundtrack album and movie released.[11]

2000

Sorcery Live album is released.[12]

2009

Code Red release's New DVD of the film Stunt Rock. A two Disk set includes interviews with the films Producer Martin Fink, Director, Brian Trenchard-Smith and Sorcery band members,Richard Taylor and Perry Morris.[13]

2015-2016

2017


The film, Stunt Rock continues to play theatres around the world today. It has become a "mid-night movie cult classic" in many circles.[17] Although Sorcery is disbanded, their music continues to be used in films from Quentin Tarantino's 2007 film, Grindhouse, to Eli Roth's 2015 film "Knock Knock" starring Keanu Reeves.[14]

Band members

Guest Musicians

Magicians

Discography

Filmography

Band members History

Sorcery's drummer Perry (Pere') Morris, from Sherman Oaks CA. is a L.A. studio session drummer who played with many artists in the 1970s and 80s including the group Sorcery. He plays on all of Sorcery's albums. He was an AFTRA, SAG, and Local 47 Musicians Union member in Hollywood California.[20] Perry was working as an "In-House" studio musician at Universal Studio's, in N.Hollywood Ca. when Sorcery members Taylor, King and Magie asked him to join the band. Some of the artists Perry played with are Harry Nilsson, John Denver, the Coasters, Jimmy Webb, Joni Mitchell, Tim Bogert, Jay Williams just to name a few. Perry also played on T.V. background (bumper) music, commercial jingles, movie soundtracks as well at many L.A. studios such as; MGM Studios, Culver City CA. The Universal Studios in N. Hollywood CA. and the Warner Bros. studios in Burbank Ca. Many recording dates were at the original "Gold Star" studios (on Santa Monica & Vine St) in Hollywood, The Record Plant, the "Baby-O" studios on Sunset Blvd. Wally Heiders studio in Hollywood and "Sound City" in Van Nuys Ca., just to name a few. He was also sponsored by the Ludwig Drum company. Perry also handled the business for the band. Utilizing his business background and industry contacts, he booked all the Hollywood "Whiskey", "Roxy" and "Starwood" shows for the band. Perry then secured a Management Company for the Sorcery group, with William Nelson, owner of "ORR" management, in Beverly Hills Ca. William Nelson obtained the "Stunt Rock" movie and record deal for the band. Perry booked the band for the two Dick Clark TV special shows (1982 and 1983) for Sorcery, and in 1983 he made the "Rocktober Blood" movie deal for the band. Taking a break from the music business, in 1984 he became a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley.

Sorcery's guitarist, Richard Huff, (AKA Richard "Smokey" Taylor) is from Houston Texas. Richard relocated to Los Angeles in his early twenties to pursue his career in music. Besides playing guitar for the band, he also played keyboards on their albums. He and lead singer Greg MaGie were the primary songwriters for the band. Also a S.A.G./AFTRA and Local 47 Musicians union member. Although he had a vast collection of guitars, he preferred playing his Gibson Les Paul for the first 2 years with the band, and then built a custom Stratocaster that he used for Sorcery's studio work. Richard is now retired in Arizona.

The bass player for Sorcery was Richie King, from Sherman Oaks CA. Richie played on all the Sorcery albums. Member S.A.G./AFTRA and Musicians Union member in Hollywood Ca. He was endorsed by B.C. Rich guitar company. The B.C. Rich guitar company made a custom bass guitar in Rickie King's honor as they were fans of Richie and the Sorcery band as well. Richie left the music business and also pursued a career in financial services as a broker with Paine Webber.

Over the years Sorcery had two lead singers. The first lead vocalist for Sorcery was Greg MaGie, who was in the band from 1976-1979. Greg Magie appears in the film Stunt Rock and on the movie soundtrack LP. The second lead vocalist for "Sorcery" was David Glen Eisley from 1980 to 1983. David is on the "SORCERY 2" LP/CD and the "Sorcery Live" LP/CD. Sorcery also did Dick Clark T.V. specials in 1982 and 1983 that David Eisley appears on. Lead vocalist, MaGie rejoined Sorcery in 1984 and stayed with them for the remainder of their duration through 1987.

Sorcery band members Morris, Taylor and King also appear in the 1984 film Rocktober Blood as the "Headmistress" Band. They also are the musicians that wrote and recorded the majority of that film's soundtrack LP in 1984.[1][21][22]

References

  1. 1 2 https://www.discogs.com/Sorcery-Stuntrock/release/3222218
  2. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Sorcery-Stuntrock/release/3207819
  3. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Sorcery-Stunt-Rock-Original-Soundtrack/release/3365592
  4. ↑ https://www.soundtrack.net/album/rocktober-blood/
  5. ↑ http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/40331/stunt-rock-2-disc-special-edition/
  6. 1 2 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078335/?ref_=nv_sr_1
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPOuLZ0Rcec
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgHPuR99JwM
  9. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Sorcery-Rocktober-Blood/release/3273382
  10. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0176097/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm
  11. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0176097/
  12. ↑ https://www.amazon.com/Sorcery-Live/dp/B00MERK59I/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1495214345&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Sorcery+Live
  13. ↑ http://www.codereddvd.com/product.php?id=38
  14. 1 2 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3605418/soundtrack
  15. ↑ https://www.lunarisrecords.com/search?q=Rocktober+Blood
  16. ↑ In 2017 http://www.westword.com/content/printView/8650490
  17. ↑ http://10kbullets.com/reviews/s/stunt-rock-code-red/
  18. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0176097/?ref_=nv_sr_1
  19. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3605418/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast
  20. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0606856/
  21. ↑ http://www.mondo-digital.com/stuntrock.html
  22. ↑ http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/486379/Stunt-Rock/user-reviews.html

Stunt Rock Film at IMDB http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078335/?ref_=nv_sr_1

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