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. The group effectively disbanded with Paul Samson's death to cancer on August 9, 2002.

Bass player Chris Aylmer 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 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

Studio albums

• Survivors (1979)
• Head On (1980)
• Shock Tactics (1981)
• Before the Storm (1982)
• Don't Get Mad, Get Even (1984)
• Joint Forces (1986) ? Paul Samson solo album
• Head Tactics (1986)
• And There It Is (1988) ? rereleased as 1988 in 1993
• Refugee (1990)
• Samson (1993)
• Test of Time (1999)

Live albums

• Thank You and Goodnight (1985)
• Live at Reading 1981 (1990)
• Live at the Marquee (1994)
• The BBC Sessions (1997)
• Metal Crusade (1999)
• Live in London 2000 (2001)
• Live: The Blues Nights (2002)

Compilations

• Last Rites (1984)
• Pillars of Rock (1990)
• Burning Emotion (1995)
• The Masters (1998)
• Past, Present, and Future (1999)
• Test of Time (1999)
• There and Back (2001)
• Riding with the Angels - The Anthology (2002)

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)
• 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

• The Official Paul Samson Website
• Allmusic: Samson

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