Ian Ralph "Sammy" Samwell was an English musician, singer-songwriter and record producer.
16 Facts About Ian Samwell
1.
2.
Ian Samwell is best known as the writer of Cliff Richard's debut single "Move It", whilst a member of his backing group, known then as the Drifters, the forerunner of the better known Shadows.
3.
Ian Samwell featured on the recording of this song as rhythm guitarist.
4.
Ian Samwell wrote for many other British artists, including Joe Brown, Elkie Brooks, Kenny Lynch and Dusty Springfield.
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Ian Samwell worked as a record producer with Sounds Incorporated, Georgie Fame, John Mayall and the mod band The Small Faces, co-writing their 1965 hit single "Whatcha Gonna Do About It".
6.
Ian Samwell was born in London, but grew up in Harrow, he served in the Royal Air Force.
7.
Ian Samwell, looking to join a band heard Harry Webb, a credit control clerk performing at the 2i's Coffee Bar in Soho.
8.
Shortly afterwards, Webb's manager Johnny Foster, suggested that Webb change his name to "Cliff Richards" as a stage name, however it was Samwell who stated that he should drop the "S" from that name, so that he would have two Christian names, and it would be a tribute to Little Richard, the group was renamed Cliff Richard and The Drifters.
9.
Ian Samwell played rhythm guitar on "Move It", but was edged out of the band when Hank Marvin and Jet Harris joined.
10.
Ian Samwell was then offered a songwriting contract and wrote Richard's second hit single, "High Class Baby", and several other early songs for Richard, such as "Dynamite".
11.
Ian Samwell was a Disc Jockey at The Orchid Ballroom Purley, after the Lyceum.
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Ian Samwell went on to work with other artists, as a staff producer at Warner Bros.
13.
Ian Samwell discovered the band America and produced their first album, America in 1972.
14.
Ian Samwell is credited with persuading their guitarist Dewey Bunnell to change the name of "Desert Song" to "A Horse with No Name", which became an international chart success.
15.
In 1974, Ian Samwell produced the first of three albums he worked on with Hummingbird whose line-up included Bobby Tench and other former members of The second Jeff Beck Group.
16.
Ian Samwell underwent a heart transplant in the 1990s and died in Sacramento, California on 13 March 2003, aged sixty-six.