Doug Sampson
| Doug Sampson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 June 1957 Hackney, London |
| Genres | Heavy metal |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1975 - 1979 |
| Associated acts | Iron Maiden, Smiler |
Douglas Gary Sampson (born 30 June 1957, Hackney, London)[1] is a British former musician, best known as the drummer for Iron Maiden from 1977 to 1979.[2]
Prior to joining the band, Sampson was a member of one of Steve Harris' previous groups, Smiler, in 1975,[1] after which he was asked to join Iron Maiden at their inception in the same year.[3] He declined to join at the time as he was "a bit fed up with the whole rock band thing" because he was "completely skint,"[3] but accepted a further invitation in November 1977 after he had taken up drumming again in a group called Janski.[4]
Following a year of playing small pubs with the band, during which they gained a small following,[5] he participated in the recording of Iron Maiden's demo, later released as The Soundhouse Tapes, on 31 December 1978,[6] some tracks from which appeared in the charts of Neal Kay's Heavy Metal Soundhouse club, published weekly in Sounds.[7] Iron Maiden eventually signed to EMI in 1979,[8] following which they undertook two failed attempts at recording their debut album, although one song from these sessions ("Burning Ambition") was included on the B-Side of "Running Free".[9]
Sampson eventually left the band on 22 December 1979, following health issues brought about by the band's extensive touring schedule, and was replaced by Clive Burr two days later.[10] Although he calls it "a blow," he states that "the truth is, I don't think I could have handled it, so maybe it turned out for the best."[11] Although he would form other bands, Sampson has never played professionally since his time with Iron Maiden, after which he ran an off-licence before becoming a forklift driver.[12]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Wall 2004, p. 25.
- ^ Weber, Barry. "Biography: Iron Maiden". AMG. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4560/biography. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ a b Wall 2004, p. 26.
- ^ Wall 2004, p. 49.
- ^ Wall 2004, p. 59.
- ^ Wall 2004, p. 66.
- ^ Wall 2004, p. 69.
- ^ Wall 2004, p. 108.
- ^ Wall 2004, p. 126.
- ^ Wall 2004, p. 122.
- ^ Wall 2004, p. 123.
- ^ Wall 2004, p. 124.
[edit] References
- Wall, Mick (2004). Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography (third ed.). Sanctuary Publishing. ISBN 1-86074-542-3
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