Lee Magid

Old-time record hustler Lee Magid held a posture in just about any element of the market at once or another. Like a maker, he recorded among the better gospel acts available, including Clara Ward, so when a supervisor, he helmed the professions of singers such as for example Al Hibbler and Della Reese. Becoming a member of the personnel of Country wide Information at 19, Magid experienced previously been a track plugger for any singer called Ralph Youthful, who recorded beneath the moniker Rudy York. At Country wide, Magid’s excitement and tenacity (he was among a go for handful who could break dark functions on white radio) captured the attention of label owner Al Green. Green produced Magid an A&R guy and, on the next couple of years, Magid’s responsibilities gradually included generating acts aswell. Dealing with Joe Turner, Charlie Ventura, as well as the Ward Performers, Magid could turn out strike material, but experienced artistically constricted by Green’s limited pockets. After 2 yrs he accepted a posture at Herman Lubinsky’s Savoy label (ironically, Lubinsky was another notorious cheapskate). At Savoy, Magid continuing to produce, combined with the help of a engineer called Tom Dowd, also to promote information, write tunes, and scout for skill. With Magid’s help, in addition to others such as for example Ralph Bass, the label converted into an R&B powerhouse in the past due ’40s with Johnny Otis and Small Esther. In 1953, Magid uncovered and signed vocalist Al Hibbler, getting his de facto supervisor along the way and securing an archive cope with Decca. Immediately after, Magid fulfilled Della Reese and helped to steer the youthful singer’s career aswell. With managerial responsibilities looming, on the next many years Magid sometimes produced, but discovered short amount of time for the forms of responsibilities he previously performed at Country wide and Savoy. He became a supervisor full-time, booking schedules for Lou Rawls, Earl Offer, and Sam Fletcher, amongst others.