Once known as the king of England's witches, Alex Sanders was the founder of the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca and perhaps the single most powerful motivating force in the religion's transition from a mere cult in the '50s and early '60s to the formidable power that it became thereafter. An irrepressible showman, Sanders was born Orrel Alexander Carter in Birkenhead on June 6, 1926; he was initiated into the craft at 13, but he would be in his late thirties before he truly began formulating his (and so many other peoples') future. Accompanied by future wife Maxine Morris, Sanders became adept at manipulating the media, first on a local level, but later nationally, always with the avowed intent of publicizing his religion. This included appearances in a string of exploitation movies shot around the late '60s/early '70s, and one now very collectible LP, A Witch Is Born, released by A&M in 1970 and featuring a recording of a Wiccan initiation. As the 1970s passed, Sanders slipped out of the public eye, eventually breaking with Maxine and retiring into virtual seclusion. He passed away on Beltane Eve, April 30, 1983. ~ Dave Thompson, Rovi