Sammy Drain
{{Infobox musical artist
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| name = Sammy Drain
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| birth_name = Samuel Lee Drain
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| birth_date = March 13, 1945
| birth_place = United States
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| death_date = {{death date and age|2016|7|22|1945|3|13}}
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| occupation = Musician, actor
| instrument = Guitar
| years_active = 1960s to 2016
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| past_member_of = Jimi Hendrix, Septimus
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Sammy Drain (March 13, 1945 – July 22, 2016) was a guitarist from Seattle who was well known in the area and considered to be a legend. He also was a friend of rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix and jammed with him before Hendrix found fame. During his lifetime, he was a living link to Hendrix's youth years. During his career, he played with artists such as Albert Collins, Buddy Miles, Bobby Womack and Stevie Wonder. Drain was also a photographer, actor, and the co-founder of the Seattle Blues Society.
Early years and background
Sammy was born to parents Andrew and Carrie Drain on March 13, 1945.The Stranger, Thursday, January 24, 2008 - [https://lineout.thestranger.com/2008/01/sammy_drain_day Music & Nightlife, Business, Sammy Drain Day by Trent Moorman]
He started playing guitar around the age of thirteen.Seattle Peace - [http://www.seapeace.org/bandpgs/sammydrain/ Sammy Drain] He also played keyboards and drums.Seattle Met, 3/13/2010 - [https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2010/3/13/today-is-officially-sammy-drain-day Arts & Culture, Today is Officially Sammy Drain Day By Jonathan Cunningham]
He was a local neighborhood and school friend of Jimi Hendrix who hung out with him and knew the family well.Jimi Hendrix FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Voodoo Child, By Gary J. Jucha - [https://books.google.com/books?id=DGJfAgAAQBAJ&dq=%22Sammy+Drain%22&pg=PT18 1 I'm Wondering If They Don't Want Me Around, At Last the Beginning]Amy Winehouse and the 27 Club, By Howard Sounes - [https://books.google.com/books?id=xgfY-T53qzUC&dq=%22Sammy+Drain%22&pg=PA1924 One, THE YOUNG DIONYSIANS, 2] When they were young, both Drain and Hendrix got up to some mischief. Hendrix was proud of his Cherokee ancestry and liking the Native American footwear, both Drain and Hendrix each lifted a pair of moccasins.The Age, Saturday, January 15, 1994 - [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/123001282/ Page 137 Who owns Jimi Hendrix?] They also played instruments and jammed together. Drain and Hendrix experimented by trading licks and writing songs etc.Jimi Hendrix: Soundscapes, By Marie-Paule Macdonald - [https://books.google.com/books?id=AqwzDQAAQBAJ&dq=%22Sammy+Drain%22&pg=PT24 46 - 47]The Washington Post, December 19, 1993 - [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1993/12/19/who-owns-jimi-hendrix/2d3ba447-e843-4cad-9ba6-694a40e0218a/ WHO OWNS JIMI HENDRIX? By Richard Lei]
Drain had played at some of the same clubs that Hendrix played in.Capitol Hill Times, 21/2/2017 - [http://www.capitolhilltimes.com/Content/Default/Arts/Article/Gossett-receives-update-on-Jimi-Hendrix-Park/-3/545/4716 Gossett receives update on Jimi Hendrix Park, King County councilmember supported $35K contribution to project efforts By Brandon Macz] Drain's influences were B.B. King, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Albert King and Freddie King.Seattle Peace - [http://www.seapeace.org/bandpgs/sammydrain/ Sammy Drain]
Later years
=1990s=
Drain was instrumental in having a Jimi Hendrix Day recognized. He approached the mayor of Seattle Norm Rice and talked to him about it. The mayor, knowing the contribution to music Hendrix had made, readily agreed and on November 27, 1992, which would have been the 50th birthday for the guitarist, Mayor Rice issued a proclamation making it Jimi Hendrix Day.Hendrix: The Lllustrated Story, By Gillian G. Gaar, Jaan Uhelszki - [https://books.google.com/books?id=TNA1DwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Sammy+Drain%22&pg=PA194 Page 194]Northwest Music Scene, September 11, 2017 - [https://www.northwestmusicscene.net/read-this-excerpt-of-upcoming-hendrix-book-hendrix-the-illustrated-history/ News, Read this excerpt of upcoming Hendrix book; ‘Hendrix: The Illustrated History’]City Arts, May 14, 2014 - [http://www.cityartsmagazine.com/jimi-all-my-side-opens-siff-2014/ ‘Jimi: All Is By My Side’ Opens SIFF 2014 By Gillian G. Garr] Some years later, Drain was recognized for his musical contributions as well, and a Sammy Drain Day was proclaimed in Seattle.Seattle Met, 3/13/2010 - [https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2010/3/13/today-is-officially-sammy-drain-day Arts & Culture, Today is Officially Sammy Drain Day By Jonathan Cunningham]
===2000s===
Drain was a regular player and the main blues artist at Thompson's Point of View at 23rd and Union. The restaurant had a problem with criminal activity taking place outside the premises which resulted in customers being frightened away. One day, a scuffle broke out in the club and Drain was nearly shot. Consequently, he left the venue.The Seattle Times, December 26, 2010 - [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/new-life-for-central-district-corner/ New life for Central District corner By Sonia Krishnan]Seattle Met, 3/13/2010 - [https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2010/3/13/today-is-officially-sammy-drain-day Arts & Culture, Today is Officially Sammy Drain Day By Jonathan Cunningham]
He was interviewed for the 2004 documentary about Hendrix, Jimi Hendrix: By Those Who Knew Him Best, which also featured his brother Leon Hendrix and Octavia inventor Roger Mayer.Night Flight, November 27, 2017 - [http://nightflight.com/castles-made-of-sand-fall-in-the-sea-eventually-jimi-hendrix-by-those-who-knew-him-best/ Castles made of sand, fall in the sea, eventually: “Jimi Hendrix: By Those Who Knew Him Best” By Bryan Thomas]
In December 2003, Sammy Drain & Company were playing at Wazobia.The Stranger, Dec 11, 2003 - [https://www.thestranger.com/seattle/live-musicdj-listings/Content?oid=16571 Live Music/DJ Listings SUNDAY 12/14]
In 2004, it was decreed by King County Council member Larry Gossett that March 13 was "Sammy Drain Day".Seattle Met, 3/13/2010 - [https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2010/3/13/today-is-officially-sammy-drain-day Arts & Culture, Today is Officially Sammy Drain Day By Jonathan Cunningham] In November 2010, it was announced that along with the Leon Hendrix band, Joe Doria of McTuff, Jabril, Shawn Smith of Brad, Brandon Storms, Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees, and Drain were to play the Goodfoot Lounge on November 20 for Jimi Hendrix's 68th Birthday Bash.Pdxpipeline.Com - [https://www.pdxpipeline.com/2010/11/17/jimi-hendrix-67th-birthday-bash-goodfoot-lounge/ Win Tickets: Jimi Hendrix 67th Birthday Bash @ Goodfoot Lounge]
In 2012, he was booked to play at Jimi Hendrix's 70th birthday party. The event featured Septimus, Robb Lawrence, Stacey Stanford, Ten Twenty, Ashley Holscher and Isaiah Bush.South Florida Nights Magazine, November 26th, 2012 - [https://www.soflanights.com/archives/58792 Jimi Hendrix 70th Birthday Party]
Death and legacy
During his time, he played with the following : Albert Collins, Con Funk Shun, Buddy Miles, Bobby Womack, and Stevie Wonder.Shelbyville Times-Gazette, Tuesday, June 24, 2014 - [http://www.t-g.com/story/2094833.html Guitar legend hits right notes By DAVID MELSON]Seattle Met, 3/12/2010 - [https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2010/3/13/today-is-officially-sammy-drain-day Arts & Culture, Today is Officially Sammy Drain Day By Jonathan Cunningham] He also did some acting for a while, and appeared in television shows such as L.A. Law.The Stranger, Thursday, January 24, 2008 - [https://lineout.thestranger.com/2008/01/sammy_drain_day Music & Nightlife, Business, Sammy Drain Day by Trent Moorman] He also served as a mentor and teacher to young people of both Caucasian and African American backgrounds, teaching them about the guitar, his passion in music and the blues.The Stranger, Thursday, January 24, 2008 - [https://lineout.thestranger.com/2008/01/sammy_drain_day Music & Nightlife, Business, Sammy Drain Day by Trent Moorman] Sammy Drain died on July 22, 2016, at age 71.
Filmography
=Television shows=
=Documentary=
- Jimi Hendrix, the Uncut StorySound Click - [http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1164278 Sammy Drain]
- Jimi Hendrix: By Those Who Knew Him Best - 2004{{cite web|url=https://www.nightflightplus.com/videos/jimi-hendrix-by-those-who-knew-him-best/597c3e4aaf590913a7007194|website=Nightflight.com|title=Jimi Hendrix: By Those Who Knew Him Best|date=November 27, 2017|first=Bryan|last=Thomas|access-date=June 25, 2023}}
- Jimi Hendrix, The Complete Story - 2007Rotten Tomatoes - [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jimi_hendrix_complete_story Jimi Hendrix - Complete Story (2007)]
Discography
- Sammy Drain
- Once Bitten
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.flickr.com/photos/sammydrain/with/4106551406/ Sammy Drain on flickr]
- [http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1164278 Sammy Drain on SoundClick]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr70hnHyFyw Frank Brown - Cool walkin' Fast talkin' Sammy Drain]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYfVGh-AhK4 Drain and Keith Cook jamming]
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Category:African-American guitarists
Category:African-American rock musicians
Category:American lead guitarists
Category:Musicians from Seattle