L-R: Kevin Middleton, Roy Wood and Cassie Vallely
Dedicated Roy Wood fans are joining forces in a call to make his Christmas wish a reality by getting his festive favourite to Number 1 – after it missed out the first time round 50 years ago.
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday is firm fixture of the festive season, belted out at parties far and wide as well as playing while eager children open their presents.
It was first released in 1973 and despite it being played and embraced every Christmas since, it has never hit that top spot. Now fans are calling for this to change to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Superfan Martin Kinch has been a fan of the Wizzard frontman since hearing his hits on the radio as a young lad and has followed his career ever since.
He has appeared on various shows over the years with his huge collection of Roy Wood memorabilia and is now joining the plea from Nelson’s Distillery and School to get the hit to its rightful place at the top of the charts.
It comes after fans got together to meet their idol at the Uttoxeter distillery to celebrate the release of his Christmas gin, named I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday after the hit.
The 67-year-old said: “When I first heard I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday it was unmistakably Roy.
“I don’t think it’s too late to get it to Number 1, especially as it’s the 50-year anniversary. A lot of people assume it was a Number 1 hit so I think we should put it right so when people say it, it’s correct.
“I think it would be nice for Roy to get to Number 1. I just think he deserves more credit than he gets.
“It’s amazing that people are downloading it again. He has recorded it many times over the years, there was a version with the Wombles and a big band in 2000 as well as a live version.
“Radio has always stuck with the original. It’s just a great Christmas song – it has the children singing and the sleigh bells.
“Roy is a talented singer, songwriter, producer and on some of his records he even designed the sleeve. I think like Roy, the song has aged well. Most of the other Christmas hits have made it to Number 1 so I think Wizzard deserves it.”
Martin has been a fan since the late stages of Roy’s band The Move when he was a young lad – so for around 55 years in total.
Glenn Muir, 70, describes himself as a “bit of a Roy Wood nut” and has a room dedicated to his memorabilia.
He said: “I just like everything about his music. I’ve seen him numerous times over the years going back to his Wizzard days.
“To get to Number 1 would be a one-off. Absolutely brilliant. It deserves to be Number 1.
“Roy is always friendly, he chats and has a laugh. He has never refused anything that I’ve asked to be signed over the years.”
John Woods, of Kent, has been a fan since December 1972 when he first heard Ball Park Incident when he got home from school.
He said: “It’s the fun. Right from the very first song I heard he seems to be enjoying himself. There’s a lot of humour on the album.
“It would be absolutely fantastic if it got to Number 1, it really would. It’s the Christmas song – full stop. The fact it never got there before means it would be brilliant if it did.”
Cassie Vallely, of Swadlincote, met Roy with her dad Kevin Middleton, who is his “biggest fan”. She said: “It’s stood the test of time. I hope it does do it – it deserves to be Number 1.”
Boyd Goode, 65, of Cheddar, in Somerset, has been a fan for 55 years, adding he was brought up on the music of Roy Wood.
He said: “It is not just throw away music – it doesn’t age. It would be fantastic – it should be Number 1 every year. It’s an iconic Christmas song. It proper sets the mood.
“I was a teen when it came out in the 70s and I’ve heard it every year since.”
Hazel Graham, of Wolverhampton, has been a fan since the 60s as her brothers used to play the hits of The Move.
She said: “I used to hear them playing the records and when I was old enough I latched on to Wizzard. I just think Roy is incredibly talented.
“He’s a very unassuming and quiet man. It would be brilliant if it got to number 1 as it should do.”
Nigel Dilks, 63, of West Hallam, has been a fan since his teenage years. He has played many of his records over the years and even got to play for him when he was a DJ at a wedding that Roy attended.
He said: “The official start of Christmas was the Roy Wood gig. I’ve even seen him play it in the middle of summer.
“He is one of the most approachable guys in music, so humble and genuine. It would be amazing if it got to Number 1 after 50 years. It’s the one thing that’s missing for him.
“It’s everything you expect from a Christmas song and it’s a great anthem.”
