Samson
Focusing on the talents of guitarist and occasional vocalist Paul
Samson (who sadly passed away from cancer on 9 August 2002) Samson
were at the forefront of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal
(NWOBHM).
In fact their second single, Mr Rock & Roll, is
often credited as the defining first of that era - and this was
over a year before future Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson would
join the band.
Augmented by drummer Clive Burr and long-time bassist Chris
Aylmer, Mr Rock & Roll was a beast of a metal number
with a blues tinge, while the B-side (Driving Music) was
a much faster track, and probably Paul Samson's strongest and
heaviest pre-album track.
Both songs were written by Samson and future Gillan bassist,
John McCoy (who used the pseudonym 'Elizabeth').
Clive Burr left to join Iron Maiden and the band signed to
Laser, where they re-recorded Mr Rock & Roll with
former Maiden drummer Thunderstick.
Chris Aylmer died on 9 January 2007 following a battle with
throat cancer.
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