Samson were 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 Purkis), who wore a leather mask and performed on stage in a metal cage. Drummer
Clive Burr was also a member of the band, both before and after his tenure with Iron Maiden. Drummer
Mel Gaynor had a successful music career being a member of
Simple Minds for over 20 years. Dickinson's replacement on vocals,
Nicky Moore, performed with Samson throughout the mid-1980s and again from the late 1990s onwards; he has also been a member of the bands Mammoth and Nicky Moore and the Blues Corporation.