Samson

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Samson was a British hard rock band formed in 1977 by guitarist and vocalist Paul Samson. They are best known for their first three albums with future Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson, then known as "Bruce Bruce", and drummer Thunderstick (real name Barry Graham), who wore a leather mask and performed on stage in a metal cage. Drummer Clive Burr was also member of the band, both before and after his tenure with Iron Maiden.

After the release of their debut album Survivors in 1979, they spent the rest of the year touring on support of the album.^[1] In early 1980, Samson appeared as the opening act for Robin Trower's concerts, including dates at Hammersmith Odeon.^[1] The tour finished at Newcastle City Hall, where days later the band opened for Rainbow, on their Down to Earth tour.^[1] Here, Samson started performing for bigger audiences, but after some touring differences, they were cancelled for the rest of the dates.^[1]

The band's second album, Head On, was released July 1980, and peaked at #34 in the UK charts^[2] The supporting tour was full of controversy and legal issues, due to problems with their management.^[1] They kept writing and rehearsing for a new record. Ten songs had already been composed, by October 1980, and were ready to be recorded.^[1] At the same time, the band re-issued their debut album, Survivors, now with Dickinson handling vocal duties. The tour continued until the end of the year, when Samson entered the studio to record their third album, Shock Tactics. This was the last album Dickinson recorded with the band. Samson faced an innumerable amount of problems with their management.^[3] They were always being booked on ill-matched support tours. After leaving their management in 1981 they discovered that their record company was going bankrupt. Dickinson said they "made every mistake in the business".^[3] His last performance with Samson was at the Reading Festival in 1981. This was recorded by the BBC and released in 1990, as the live album Live at Reading 1981.

The group effectively disbanded with Paul Samson's death to cancer on August 9, 2002. Bass player Chris Aylmer later died on January 9th 2007 following a battle with throat cancer. He was reported to have been responsible for suggesting the band's name. He assumed the role of bass player previously having been the band's soundman.

The band appeared in a short-movie Biceps of Steel in 1980, directed by Julien Temple,^[1] which was intended as the B-film to a major feature produced and promoted by the record company. The film featured two music-video type sequences which form the 15 minute film. Though it has been largely forgotten, clips from it were seen in the movie The Incubus (1981). However, in 2006, Biceps of Steel re-surfaced on Bruce Dickinson's Anthology DVD, Bruce himself introducing the video.

Discography

Lineups

Line-ups of Samson only. Similarly named or solo projects have been omitted.

• 1978 Paul Samson, Chris Aylmer, Clive Burr
• 1979 Paul Samson, John McCoy, Thunderstick (Barry Graham)
• 1980 Paul Samson, Chris Aylmer, Thunderstick (Barry Graham), Bruce Bruce (Bruce Dickinson)
• 1981 Paul Samson, Chris Aylmer, Mel Gaynor, Bruce Bruce (Bruce Dickinson)
• 1981 Paul Samson, Chris Aylmer, Mel Gaynor, Nicky Moore
• 1982 Paul Samson, Chris Aylmer, Pete Jupp, Nicky Moore
• 1984 Paul Samson, Mervyn Goldsworthy, Pete Jupp, Nicky Moore, Dave Colwell
• 1988 Paul Samson, Dave Boyce, Toby Sadler, Charlie Mack, Mick White
• 1990 Paul Samson, Peter Scallan, Toby Sadler, Charlie Mack
• 1993 Paul Samson, Chris Aylmer, Tony Tuohy
• 2000 Paul Samson, Chris Aylmer, Thunderstick (Barry Graham), Nicky Moore

References

External links

• The Official Paul Samson Website
• Allmusic: Samson