Sam’s Magic

In a performance captured at the 1969 American Folk Blues Festival Magic Sam plays his fast boogie on Earl Hooker’s guitar accompanied by Mack Thompson (bass), and Robert St Judy (drums).

Magic Sam gained national attention in 1963 for his single “Feelin’ Good (We’re Gonna Boogie)”. After successfully touring the US, Britain and Germany, he was signed to Delmark Records in 1967 where he recorded West Side Soul and Black Magic. He also continued performing live and toured with blues harp player Charlie Musselwhite and Sam Lay.

Sam’s breakthrough performance came at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival in 1969, winning him many bookings in the U.S. and Europe. His life and career was cut short when he suddenly died of a heart attack in December 1969. He was 32 years old. He was buried in the Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. In February 1970, the Butterfield Blues Band played at a benefit concert for Magic Sam, at Fillmore West in San Francisco. Also on the bill were Mike Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite and Nick Gravenites

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