Samuel Gene Maghett, known as Magic Sam, was an American Chicago blues musician.
14 Facts About Magic Sam
2.
Magic Sam was born in Grenada County, Mississippi, and learned to play the blues from listening to records by Muddy Waters and Little Walter.
3.
Magic Sam was known for his distinctive tremolo guitar playing.
4.
The stage name Magic Sam was devised by Sam's bass player and childhood friend Mack Thompson at Sam's first recording session for Cobra, as an approximation of "Maghett Sam".
5.
The name Sam was using at the time, Good Rocking Sam, was already being used by another artist.
6.
Magic Sam recorded singles for Cobra Records from 1957 to 1959, including "All Your Love" and "Easy Baby".
7.
Around this time Magic Sam worked briefly with Homesick James Williamson.
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Muddy Waters 8.
Magic Sam gained a following before being drafted into the US Army.
9.
Magic Sam served six months in prison for desertion and received a dishonorable discharge.
10.
Magic Sam was signed to Delmark Records in 1967, for which he recorded West Side Soul and Black Magic.
11.
Magic Sam continued performing live and toured with a band that included blues harp player Charlie Musselwhite, future Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen bassist "Buffalo" Bruce Barlow and drummer Sam Lay.
12.
Magic Sam sometimes performed with his uncle, Shakey Jake Harris.
13.
Magic Sam's career was cut short when he suddenly died of a heart attack in December 1969.
14.
Magic Sam was buried in the Restvale Cemetery, in Alsip, Illinois.