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==History== ===Formation=== Thomas credited the name of the band to a flatmate who was writing a book of children's stories, and the group first performed as "Silly Wizard" in summer 1972.<ref>[http://www.harbourtownrecords.com/silly_wizard.html Silly Wizard's "Official" History Pages] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404210030/http://www.harbourtownrecords.com/silly_wizard.html |date=4 April 2013 }}</ref> Chris Pritchard (vocals) replaced Bill Watkins (vocals, guitar) in 1972. From September 1972 until March 1974, the band organized the Saturday night bookings, and regularly performed, at the Triangle Folk Club in [[Edinburgh]].<ref name="musicianguide">{{cite web|url=https://musicianguide.com/biographies/1608003226/Silly-Wizard.html|title=Silly Wizard Biography|accessdate=14 Jan 2022}}</ref> In February 1973, vocalist Pritchard left the band and was replaced by Madelaine Taylor (guitar, [[bodhran]], vocals). In October 1973, the band was signed to the [[Transatlantic Records]] XTRA label.<ref name="musicianguide" /> An album was recorded but before it could be released, Madelaine Taylor left the band in December 1973. The master tapes were subsequently lost and the album has never been released.<ref name="musicianguide" /> Jones, Thomas, and Cunningham began touring as a trio in January 1974, and went on the first of many French tours in April 1974. The band added Neil Adam ([[bass guitar|bass]], harmonium) in September 1974 and [[Andy M. Stewart]] (vocals, [[tin whistle]], [[tenor banjo]]) in December 1974. In March 1975, Silly Wizard began work on their next album. The band was then joined by Freeland Barbour ([[accordion]], bouzouki) and Alastair "Ali" Donaldson (1955-2013) (bass, flute), who replaced Neil Adam in July 1975 when the latter decided to return to university. Their eponymous LP ''Silly Wizard'' was released on the XTRA label and the band began touring throughout the UK and Europe. ===Departure of Barbour; addition of Phil Cunningham=== In late 1976, Freeland Barbour left the band and was replaced by Johnny Cunningham's younger brother, [[Phil Cunningham (folk musician)|Phil Cunningham]] ([[accordion]], [[tin whistle]], [[Pump organ|harmonium]], [[synthesizer]], [[octave mandolin]], vocals), then sixteen years old.<ref name="Cunninghams"/> At the same time Alastair "Ali" Donaldson left and was replaced by Martin Hadden ([[bass guitar|bass]], guitar, piano). This six-member lineup then recorded the band's second LP, ''[[Caledonia's Hardy Sons]]'' (Highway/Shanachie, 1978). Founding member Bob Thomas left just as the group began work on their third LP, ''So Many Partings'' (Highway/Shanachie, 1979). ===Departure of Johnny Cunningham=== Johnny Cunningham departed the band for the U.S. in 1980<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harbourtownrecords.com/silly_wizard.html|title=Silly Wizard|author=Gordon Jones|accessdate=17 Apr 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404210030/http://www.harbourtownrecords.com/silly_wizard.html|archivedate=4 April 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and was replaced for six months by [[Dougie MacLean]].<ref name="musicianguide" /> ===Dissolution and aftermath=== They continued recording until the late 1980s, when the band decided to dissolve after performing for seventeen years and releasing nine albums. The band played its final performance in [[Voorheesville, New York]] in April 1988. [[Johnny Cunningham]] died on 15 December 2003 in [[New York City|New York]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Harris |first=Craig |title=Johnny Cunningham |publisher=AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/johnny-cunningham-mn0000817836/biography |accessdate=11 September 2014}}</ref> [[Andy M. Stewart]] died in hospital in Melrose, Roxburghshire, [[Scotland]] on 27 December 2015 as a result of medical difficulties that arose after failed spinal surgery in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/14170174.Tributes_paid_to_Silly_Wizard_folk_legend_Andy_M_Stewart/ | title=Tributes paid to Silly Wizard folk legend Andy M. Stewart|newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|location=Glasgow|accessdate=30 December 2015}}</ref>
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