From: "Dik de Heer" Date: Thu Feb 14, 2002 1:14 am Subject: Born To Be With You : Magic Sam MAGIC SAM (By Shaun Mather) Born Samuel Maghett, 14 February 1937, Grenada, Mississippi Died 1 December 1969, Chicago, Illinois Perhaps the first great exponent of the Chicago blues guitar, Magic Sam could have become one of the biggest stars in blues history had fate not dealt him such a bad hand. Born in the Mississippi Delta, he left his home for Chicago in 1950 and spent his time soaking up the blues sounds of the city's notorious West-side. In 1957 he joined Cobra and blasted off with the marvelous debut single, All Your Love. Other gems for the label included Everything Gonna Be Alright, Love Me With A Feeling and the storming rocker, 21 Days In Jail. After the Cobra label folded in 1958, he joined Chief, then Crash and looked to have found his spiritual home with Delmark Records. Two top-notch albums in 1967 and 1968 ensued and Sam's reputation was growing exponentially. He was the sensation of the Ann Arbor Blues Festival 1969, but on December 1st of that year he collapsed and died suddenly. Recommended listening; With A Feeling - 57-67. The Cobra, Chief and Crash Recordings - Westside (2001). More info: http://www.cascadeblues.org/History/MagicSam.htm