Paul Samwell-Smith was a founding member and the bassist of the 1960s English rock band the Yardbirds, which launched leading guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page to fame.
11 Facts About Paul Samwell-Smith
1.
2.
Paul Samwell-Smith took up the bass guitar after hearing Ricky Fenson playing the instrument.
3.
Paul Samwell-Smith played on the UK albums, Five Live Yardbirds and Yardbirds and on the US albums For Your Love, Having a Rave Up, and Over Under Sideways Down, all released on Epic Records.
4.
Paul Samwell-Smith composed the Gregorian chant arrangements and lyrics of the songs "Still I'm Sad" and "Turn Into Earth".
5.
Paul Samwell-Smith was a major contributor to the original tracks written by the Yardbirds during his tenure with the band.
6.
Paul Samwell-Smith left the group in June 1966 to pursue a career as a record producer.
7.
The Box of Frogs did not tour because Chris Dreja was busy with his photography and Paul Samwell-Smith was busy in the recording studio.
8.
Paul Samwell-Smith was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Yardbirds in 1992.
9.
Paul Samwell-Smith went on to become a successful producer with credits including Cat Stevens' albums Tea for the Tillerman, Teaser and the Firecat and Catch Bull at Four.
10.
Stevens had the pure, raw talent, certainly, but it was Paul Samwell-Smith who seemed to understand how best to transmute and position that talent for maximum artistic impact.
11.
Paul Samwell-Smith was the musical producer for the film Harold and Maude in 1971, with music written by Cat Stevens, which became a cult classic.