Lee Magid
Encyclopedia
Lee Magid was a Rhythm and blues
producer
and manager
who worked with artists such as Clara Ward
, Al Hibbler
, and Della Reese
.
acts in the business.
at 19, though young, Magid had previously been a song plugger for a singer named Ralph Young
who recorded under the moniker Rudy York
. At National Magid's enthusiasm and tenacity (he was one of a select handful who could break black acts on white radio) caught the eye of label owner Al Green
.
, Charlie Ventura
and the Ward Singers, Magid was able to turn out hit material, but felt creatively constricted by Green's tight pockets.
After two years he accepted a position at Herman Lubinsky's Savoy
label (ironically, Lubinsky was another notorious cheapskate). At Savoy Magid continued to produce, along with the aid of a young engineer named Tom Dowd
, as well as promote records, write songs and scout for talent. With Magid's help, as well as others such as Ralph Bass
, the label turned into an r&b powerhouse in the late '40s with Johnny Otis
and Little Esther.
, becoming his de facto manager in the process and securing a record deal with Decca
. Soon after Magid met Della Reese
and helped to guide the young singer's career as well. With managerial duties looming, over the next several years Magid occasionally produced, but found little time for the kinds of duties he had performed at National and Savoy. He became a manager full time, booking dates for Lou Rawls
, Earl Grant
and Sam Fletcher
, among others.
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and manager
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
who worked with artists such as Clara Ward
Clara Ward
Clara Ward was an American gospel artist who achieved great success, both artistic and commercial, in the 1940s and 1950s as leader of The Famous Ward Singers....
, Al Hibbler
Al Hibbler
Albert George "Al" Hibbler was an American baritone vocalist, who sang with Duke Ellington's orchestra before having several pop hits as a solo artist. Some of his singing is classified as rhythm and blues, but he is best classified as a bridge between R&B and traditional pop music...
, and Della Reese
Della Reese
Delloreese Patricia Early, known professionally as Della Reese , is an American actress, singer, game show panelist of the 1970s, one-time talk-show hostess and ordained minister. She started her career in the 1950s as a gospel, pop and jazz singer, scoring a hit with her 1959 single "Don't You...
.
Overview
According to Steve Kurutz of "Allmusic," old time record hustler Lee Magid held a position in nearly every facet of the industry at one time or another. As a producer he recorded some of the best gospelGospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
acts in the business.
Early career
Joining the staff of National RecordsNational Records
National Records was a record label that was started in New York by Albert Green in 1945 and lasted till early 1951.Big Joe Turner was signed at the outset and remained until 1947. Billy Eckstine was also a big seller for the label as were The Ravens...
at 19, though young, Magid had previously been a song plugger for a singer named Ralph Young
Ralph Young
Ralph Stuart "Pep" Young was an American Major League Baseball second baseman. During his nine major league seasons, he played with the New York Yankees , Detroit Tigers , and Philadelphia Athletics .-Background:Young was a right-handed second baseman and switch hitter...
who recorded under the moniker Rudy York
Rudy York
Preston Rudolph York was a Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics . York was born in Ragland, Alabama...
. At National Magid's enthusiasm and tenacity (he was one of a select handful who could break black acts on white radio) caught the eye of label owner Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
.
As a Producer
Green made Magid an A&R man and, over the next few years, Magid's duties gradually included producing acts as well. Working with Joe TurnerJoe Turner
Joe Turner is the name of:* Big Joe Turner , blues singer* Joe Turner , jazz/stride pianist* Joe Lynn Turner , rock musician* Joe Turner , English footballer...
, Charlie Ventura
Charlie Ventura
Charlie Ventura was a tenor saxophonist and bandleader.Ventura was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He had his first successes working with Gene Krupa. In 1945 he won the Down Beat readers' poll in the tenor saxophone division...
and the Ward Singers, Magid was able to turn out hit material, but felt creatively constricted by Green's tight pockets.
After two years he accepted a position at Herman Lubinsky's Savoy
Savoy Records
Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part in popularizing bebop.Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part...
label (ironically, Lubinsky was another notorious cheapskate). At Savoy Magid continued to produce, along with the aid of a young engineer named Tom Dowd
Tom Dowd
Tom Dowd was an American recording engineer and producer for Atlantic Records. He was credited with innovating the multi-track recording method. Dowd worked on a virtual "who's who" of recordings that encompassed blues, jazz, pop, rock and soul records.- Early years :Born in Manhattan, Dowd grew...
, as well as promote records, write songs and scout for talent. With Magid's help, as well as others such as Ralph Bass
Ralph Bass
Ralph Bass , born in The Bronx, New York of an Italian-American-Catholic father, and a German-American-Jewish mother, was an influential rhythm and blues record producer and talent scout for several independent labels and was responsible for many hit records. He was a pioneer in bringing black...
, the label turned into an r&b powerhouse in the late '40s with Johnny Otis
Johnny Otis
Johnny Otis is an American singer, musician, talent scout, disc jockey, composer, arranger, recording artist, record producer, vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist, bandleader, and impresario.He is commonly referred to as The Godfather Of Rhythm And Blues.-Personal life:Otis, the son of Alexander...
and Little Esther.
As a Manager
In 1953 Magid signed singer Al HibblerAl Hibbler
Albert George "Al" Hibbler was an American baritone vocalist, who sang with Duke Ellington's orchestra before having several pop hits as a solo artist. Some of his singing is classified as rhythm and blues, but he is best classified as a bridge between R&B and traditional pop music...
, becoming his de facto manager in the process and securing a record deal with Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
. Soon after Magid met Della Reese
Della Reese
Delloreese Patricia Early, known professionally as Della Reese , is an American actress, singer, game show panelist of the 1970s, one-time talk-show hostess and ordained minister. She started her career in the 1950s as a gospel, pop and jazz singer, scoring a hit with her 1959 single "Don't You...
and helped to guide the young singer's career as well. With managerial duties looming, over the next several years Magid occasionally produced, but found little time for the kinds of duties he had performed at National and Savoy. He became a manager full time, booking dates for Lou Rawls
Lou Rawls
Louis Allen "Lou" Rawls was an American soul, jazz, and blues singer. He was known for his smooth vocal style: Frank Sinatra once said that Rawls had "the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game"...
, Earl Grant
Earl Grant
Earl Grant was an American easy listening pianist, Hammond organist, and vocalist popular in the 1950s and 1960s.-Career:...
and Sam Fletcher
Sam Fletcher
Samuel Scott Fletcher was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Brooklyn Superbas in 1909 and the Cincinnati Reds in 1912.-External links:...
, among others.