Genre(s):
NWOBHM
Lyrical Theme(s):
Society, Rock/Metal, Life
Origin:
United Kingdom (London, England)
Formed In:
1977
Status:
Split-up
Last known line-up:
Paul Samson - Guitars (R.I.P. - August 9th 2002, Cancer)
Nicky Moore - Vocals (Mammoth (Gbr)), Uli Jon Roth, Tiger)
Chris Aylmer - Bass (Rogue Male, M-80) (R.I.P. 1957 - January 9th 2007, throat cancer)
Barry "Thunderstick" Graham - Drums (Iron Maiden)
Former/Past Member(s):
Vocals :
Bruce Bruce (aka Bruce Dickinson) (1980-81) (Iron Maiden, Speed (Gbr), Shots)
Mick White (1988)
Peter Scallan (1990)

Bass :
Mervin Goldsworthy (1985-1986) (Diamond Head, Streetfighter (Gbr))
Kevin Riddles (1986) (Angel Witch, Tytan, Lion (Guest))
Dave Boyce (1987-1989) (Ore)

Drums :
Clive Burr (1977) (Iron Maiden, Elixir (Gbr), Alcatrazz, Gogmagog (Gbr), Trust (Fra), Desperado (USA), Stratus, Praying Mantis)
Mel Gaynor (1981) (Simple Minds)
Pete Jupp (1982-1985, 2001) (Wildlife)
Edgar Patrik (1985) (Tyran' Pace, Bonfire, Sinner (Deu))
Mark Brabbs (1986) (Tank)
Chris Shirley (1986-1987)
Charlie McKenzie (1988-1991) (Emerson, Black Rose (Gbr))
Tony Tuohy (1993)

Guitar:
Dave Colwell (1985) (A.S.A.P., Bad Company)

Keyboard:
Toby Sadler (1987-1990) (Airrace, Lisa Dominique Band, White Spirit, Panama , Air Pavilion)
Additional notes:
Pictured (L to R): Bruce Bruce, Paul Samson, Thunderstick, Chris Aylmer

At the time of their first recording, pioneering New Wave of British Heavy Metal group Samson consisted of guitarist Paul Samson, bassist Chris Aylmer, drummer Thunderstick (real name: Barry Graham; concealed his identity by wearing a gimp-style mask), and vocalist Bruce Bruce, better known as Bruce Dickinson. The group got most of its attention playing with Iron Maiden, but this backfired when Bruce Bruce left Samson to join them, adopting his real name (the pseudonym was a joke conceived by other members of the band and their management that Bruce was never entirely comfortable with). Thunderstick had also left the group at this point, and the band underwent several personnel turnovers over the course of the '80s.

The band Samson has recorded and toured under numerous other names throughout the years including Paul Samson, Paul Samson's Empire, Metallic Blue, and Joint Forces.

Note: Samson made an appearance in the 1980 horror film "The Incubus"

Birth dates:
Paul Sanson aka Samson (4th June 1953) R.I.P. 9th August 2002

Discography:
Samson - Mr Rock And Roll [single] - 1978
Samson - Telephone [single] - 1978
Samson - Mr Rock 'n' Roll / Primrose Shuffle [single] - 1979
Samson - Survivors [full-length] - 1979
Samson - Hard Times [single] - 1980
Samson - Vice Versa [single] - 1980
Samson - Head On [full-length] - 1980
Samson - Riding With The Angels [single] - 1981
Samson - Shock Tactics [full-length] - 1981
Samson - Life On The Run [single] - 1982
Samson - Losing My Grip [single] - 1982
Samson - Red Skies [single] - 1982
Samson - Before The Storm [full-length] - 1982
Samson - Red Skies / Living, Loving, Lying [single] - 1983
Samson - Last Rites [best of/compilation] - 1984
Samson - Mr Rock And Roll [ep] - 1984
Samson - Are You Ready? [single] - 1984
Samson - Fight Goes On [single] - 1984
Samson - Don't Get Mad, Get Even [full-length] - 1984
Samson - Biceps Of Steel [video/vhs] - 1985
Samson - Thank You And Goodnight [live album] - 1985
Samson - Head Tactics [best of/compilation] - 1986
Samson - No Turning Back / Reach Out To Love [single] - 1986
Samson - Vice Versa(Remix) / Losing My Grip(Remix) [single] - 1986
Samson - Joint Forces [full-length] - 1986
Samson - And There It Is [ep] - 1988
Samson - 'ignition' Session [demo] - 1989
Samson - Pillars Of Rock [best of/compilation] - 1990
Samson - Live At Reading '81 [live album] - 1990
Samson - Refugee [full-length] - 1990
Samson - 1988 [best of/compilation] - 1993
Samson - Samson [full-length] - 1993
Samson - Live At The Marquee [live album] - 1994
Samson - Burning Emotion/The Best Of 1985-1990 [best of/compilation] - 1995
Samson - The Bbc Sessions [best of/compilation] - 1997
Samson & Girlschool & Angel Witch & Tank (Gbr) - British Steel: Heavyweight Of Metal Live & Loud [split] - 1998
Samson - The Masters [best of/compilation] - 1998
Samson - Past Present And Future [best of/compilation] - 1999
Samson & Trespass & Tank & Praying Mantis - Metal Crusade '99 [split] - 1999
Samson - There And Back [best of/compilation] - 2001
Samson - Live In London [live album] - 2001
Samson - Riding With The Angels: The Anthology [best of/compilation] - 2002
Samson - Tomorrow And Yesterday [best of/compilation] - 2006
Samson - P.S.... [full-length] - 2006

*****
Official site:
www.paulsamson.co.uk