Imperial Wizard Album: Mar 1979

David Essex blends theatrical pop, orchestral drama and late‑70s mysticism on his Mercury‑era studio album

✦ SUMMARY

Released on March16, 1979, Imperial Wizard marked David Essex’s return with a richly arranged, stylistically varied album issued on Mercury Records. The LP was released in the UK under catalogue number 9109 616 and appeared in both LP and cassette formats, including a special blue‑vinyl edition that has since become a collector favourite.

The album showcases Essex’s versatility as a songwriter and producer. Much of the material was written by Essex himself, with production duties shared between Essex, Christopher Neil and Mike Batt. The result is a record that moves confidently between theatrical pop, soft rock, orchestral arrangements and the mystical, dramatic tone suggested by the title track.

Imperial Wizard entered the UK Albums Chart on March 31, 1979. It spent nine weeks on the chart and peaked at number 12, giving Essex another strong commercial showing during the late 70s.

✦ HIGHLIGHTS

• Released March 16, 1979

• Label: Mercury

• Catalogue: 9109 616

• Formats: LP, MC (including blue vinyl edition)

• Entered UK Albums Chart on March 31, 1979

• Peak position: No. 12

• Weeks on chart: 9

• Produced by David Essex, Christopher Neil and Mike Batt

• Features contributions from Kenney Jones, Herbie Flowers, Chris Spedding, Ray Cooper, the London Philharmonic and more

• Cover concept by David Essex, illustration by Tony Wright

✦ TRACKLISTING

A1 Let It Flow — David Essex

A2 Call On Me — David Essex

A3 Are You Still My True Love — David Essex

A4 Oh What A Circus — Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber

A5 Imperial Wizard — David Essex

B1 I Forgot To Forget You — David Essex, Steve Colyer

B2 Oh What A Feeling — David Essex, Steve Colyer

B3 Won’t Change Me Now — David Essex

B4 Goodbye First Love — David Essex, Drewett, Dymond

B5 20 Flights Up — David Essex

B6 Ships That Pass In The Night — David Essex

✦ PRODUCTION & PERSONNEL

Production

• A1, A2, A3, B3, B6 produced by David Essex

• A5, B1, B2 produced by David Essex with Christopher Neil

• A4, B4, B5 produced and arranged by Mike Batt

Musicians

• Drums: Kenney Jones, Trevor Morais, Barry De Souza

• Bass: Herbie Flowers (Oh What A Circus: John Fiddy)

• Percussion: Ray Cooper

• Guitars: Phil Palmer, Chris Spedding

• Keyboards: Francies Monkman, Paul Maguire, David Essex

• Synthesizers: Ken Freeman

• Orchestra: The London Philharmonic

• Saxophones & brass arrangements (Let It Flow, Call On Me): Alan Wakeman

• String arrangements: David Cullen

Artwork

• Cover concept: David Essex

• Front cover illustration: Tony Wright

• Back cover photograph: Brian Aris

✦ CHART PERFORMANCE

United Kingdom

• First chart date: March 31 1979

• Peak position: No. 12

• Weeks on chart: 9

Chart run

74 (31/03/79)

30 (07/04/79)

13 (14/04/79)

12 (21/04/79 peak)

19 (28/04/79)

43 (05/05/79)

50 (12/05/79)

60 (19/05/79)

52 (26/05/79)

✦ SINGLES

✦ GOODBYE FIRST LOVE

• Release year: 1979

• UK Chart Peak: —

• Weeks on chart: —

• Notes: Issued as a single from the Imperial Wizard album but did not chart.

✦ IMPERIAL WIZARD

• Release year: 1979

• UK Chart Peak: No. 32

• Entered chart: 3 March 1979

• Weeks on chart: 8

• Notes: The album’s best‑performing single, written by David Essex and produced by Essex with Christopher Neil.

✦ 20 FLIGHTS UP

• Release year: 1979

• UK Chart Peak: —

• Weeks on chart: —

• Notes: Released as a single but did not enter the UK Singles Chart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHuSr9cNgM4

SOURCES

UK chart archives

Label release documentation

Wikipedia

Discogs