Origin: England
Genres: NWOBHM
official site

Samson  


Guitarist Paul Samson was one of those blue-collar guitarists who toil in semi-obscurity, releasing albums and gigging in his homeland without really making a major worldwide impact. However, from a metal history standpoint, Samson the band is important for two related reasons. One, this is the band where Bruce Dickinson first cut his teeth, before going on to fame and fortune in Iron Maiden (this is only one of several Samson/Maiden connections, the bands were very close in their infancy). Two, the two albums that Dickinson sang on (Head On and Shock Tactics), are bonafide NWOBHM classics, sounding little like Maiden apart from the vocals but nonetheless featuring standout songs and fine musicianship from guitarist Samson and hyperactive enigmatic drummer Thunderstick. Following the departures of Dickinson and Thunderstick (and later, bassist Chris Aylmer), the band first transitioned to a bluesy metal band with new vocalist Nicky Moore, and then to an on-again, off-again solo band that sporadically recorded up until Paul's unfortunate passing in 2002.

Current Members

Paul Samson

guitars/vocals RIP: August 9, 2002, cancer

Dave Colwell

guitars

Chris Aylmer

bass

Former Members/Guests

Bruce Dickinson

vocals (Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden)

Nicky Moore

vocals

Mick White

vocals

Peter Scallan

vocals

John McCoy

bass (Gillan)

Dave Boyce

bass

Toby Sadler

keyboards

Mervyn Goldsworthy

bass (Diamond Head)

Thunderstick

drums

Pete Jupp

drums

Charlie Mack

drums

Mel Gaynor

drums (Voodoo Circle)

Tony Tuohy

drums


Discography


Survivors 
1979 Thunderbolt
  1. It's Not As Easy As It Seems
  2. I Wish I Was The Saddle Of A Schoolgirl's Bike
  3. Big Brother
  4. Tomorrow Or Yesterday
  5. Koz
  6. Six Feet Under
  7. Inside Out
  8. Wrong Side Of Time
  • Paul Samson
  • John McCoy
  • Thunderstick



Head On 
1980 RCA
  1. Hard Times
  2. Take It Like A Man
  3. Vice Versa
  4. Manwatcher
  5. Too Close To Rock
  6. Thunderburst
  7. Hammerhead
  8. Hunted
  9. Take Me To Your Leader
  10. Waking Out On You
  • Bruce Dickinson
  • Paul Samson
  • Chris Aylmer
  • Thunderstick
1980 BNR Top Ten album



Shock Tactics 
1981 RCA
  1. Riding With The Angels
  2. Earth Mother
  3. Nice Girl
  4. Blood Lust
  5. Go To Hell
  6. Bright Lights
  7. Once Bitten
  8. Grime Crime
  9. Communion
  • Bruce Dickinson
  • Paul Samson
  • Chris Aylmer
  • Thunderstick



Before The Storm 
1982 Polydor
  1. Danger Zone
  2. Stealing Away
  3. Red Skies
  4. I'll Be Round
  5. Test Of Time
  6. Life On The Run
  7. Turn Out The Lights
  8. Losing My Grip
  9. Young Idea
  • Nicky Moore
  • Paul Samson
  • Chris Aylmer
  • Pete Jupp



Don't Get Mad Get Even 
1984 Polydor
  1. Are You Ready
  2. Love Hungry
  3. Burning Up
  4. The Fight Gose On
  5. Don't Get Mad - Get Even
  6. Into The Valley
  7. Bite On The Bullet
  8. Doctor Ice
  9. Front Page News
  10. Leaving Love (Behind)
  • Nicky Moore
  • Paul Samson
  • Chris Aylmer
  • Pete Jupp



Thank You And Goodnight 
1985
  1. Bite On The Bullet
  2. Into The Valley
  3. Losing My Grip
  4. Vice Vearse
  5. Love Hungry
  6. Tomorrow Or Yesterday
  7. Mr Rock And Roll
  8. Don't Get Mad - Get Even
  9. Test Of Time
  10. Are You Ready
  • Nicky Moore
  • Paul Samson
  • Dave Colwell
  • Mervyn Goldsworthy
  • Pete Jupp



(EP) And There It Is 
1988 Metal Masters
  • Mick White
  • Paul Samson
  • Dave Boyce
  • Toby Sadler
  • Charlie Mack



Refugee 
1990 Maze
  • Peter Scallan
  • Paul Samson
  • Toby Sadler
  • Charlie Mack



Live At Reading '81 
1990 Grand Slamm
  • Bruce Dickinson
  • Paul Samson
  • Chris Aylmer
  • Mel Gaynor



Samson 
1993 Progressive
  • Paul Samson
  • Chris Aylmer
  • Tony Tuohy


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