Paul Samson
Acting
Biography
Paul Samson (4 June 1953 – 9 August 2002) was an English guitarist, closely associated with the new wave of British heavy metal. Born Paul Sanson, his first band in 1968 was a local Kent based group called 'The Innocence' which consisted of him, Stewart Cochrane, Phil Stranders and the late Martin Kirrage. After a period in several obscure bands, Samson formed his own eponymous outfit, Samson, in 1977, consisting of Chris Aylmer on bass guitar, and Clive Burr on drums. Burr left, and eventually joined Iron Maiden, and was replaced by Thunderstick, who wore a gimp mask on stage. In 1979, the line-up was expanded to a four-piece, with the addition of Bruce Dickinson on vocals (under the stage name "Bruce Bruce".) The band enjoyed a cult following in the new wave of British heavy metal, releasing the albums, Survivors, Head On and Shock Tactics, until 1981 when both Thunderstick and Dickinson left, the latter to join Iron Maiden. Nicky Moore was recruited as a replacement, and Mel Gaynor then Pete Jupp took over drums, and this line-up released Before the Storm and Don't Get Mad - Get Even. These two albums sold in higher quantities than the first three, and the band toured more countries and played to bigger audiences than the Bruce/Thunderstick line-up, although the New Wave of British Heavy Metal was by now said to be a spent force. The band formally split up in 1984. In 1985-1986, Paul Samson recorded a new album with Nicky Moore, intended to be a "supergroup" project with various past Samson members: Joint Forces. The album was first presented as a solo record, and later reinstated as a proper band record. In 1986, Samson created the new band "Paul Samson's Empire", and toured with Iron Maiden until 1987. The members: Sam Blue/Sam Bluitt, Mick White, Dave "Bucket" Colwell, Kev Riddles, Mark Brabbs. Samson spent the subsequent years in a variety of solo and group projects, and had success as a record producer, and also as a blues player, spending a year in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Despite some listings crediting Samson for playing on the Ram Jam 1977 hit single, "Black Betty", he did not play on the record. Although, Stewart Cochrane (musician and close friend to Samson since their early band days of the late 1960s, their first band at 15 years old "The Innocence" and short time member of the band "Samson") was told by Samson in 1978 that he played on the demo of the hit record "Black Betty", and was paid a paltry £20 for the session. Samson was very peeved about the payment, as he insisted to Cochrane that it was his guitar playing from the demo recording used in the final "Black Betty" pressing, and that he was missing out on a large amount of royalty payments. Cochrane can only confirm what Samson informed him of the alleged switch. Samson died of cancer on 9 August 2002 in Norwich, whilst recording a new Samson album with Nicky Moore.
Known For
Archie MacDonald, a young restaurateur is called back to his childhood home of Glenbogle where he is told he is the new Laird of Glenbogle.
Monarch of the Glen
A documentary series about pop and rock albums that are considered the best or most distinctive of a well-known band or musician or that exemplify a stage in the history of music.
Classic Albums
A series of plays specially written for television.
The Play on One
Charlie Colquhoun is a burnt out journalist. His old school friend Harris Hill is a lawyer at the top of his game. Their lives are smashed together by one name - Tommy Stirling, Charlie's daughter, a fostered teenage pregnancy who has become embroiled in an alleged child pornography scandal with a top ranking police officer. As the trail to Tommy begins to heat up, so the bodies begin to mount up. Allegiances fall by the wayside as Charlie's life begins to spiral out of control and the deadly world of drugs, blackmail and murder that lies in the deepest heart of the underworld threatens to consume him and his missing daughter forever.
The Near Room
A biopic about convicted murderer Larry Winters.
Silent Scream
'Please don't slam your door - we have a delicate child', but when the baby cries, Deb ignores it. There is a secret which is destroying Deb's marriage to Greg. Only she can save it - only Deb can unlock The Dark Room.
The Dark Room
In the wake of their mother's death, two small boys are held captive to their father's grief. But when their mother's last wish heralds the arrival of their estranged grandmother, their fierce independence sets in motion a household power struggle that threatens to confront the ghosts of the past.
Nan
Old memories are awakened in a terrifying and dangerous way when Jock McGinn counters a strange little girl in the flats where he lives. A crucial stepping-stone in the career of distinguished actor and director David Hayman. It was also a seminal work of writer Bryan Elsley who would go on to create the award-winning Skins series.
Govan Ghost Story
A modern retelling of the Samson and Delilah story. A super roadie fights evil bouncers stopping a rock and roll crowd from having a good time. He then falls foul of an evil wench who seduces and cuts his hair in order to take away his strength.
Biceps of Steel
Tom has spent forty years as a painter on the Forth Rail Bridge. Now retired, he is going to have to adapt to his new way of life. He must re-kindle the relationship with his wife, letting go of his one true love; the Bridge.