User:Bluesladyrusty

SAM MAHOOD (OCTOBER 12 1945 - DECEMBER 22 2007) BORN BANBRIDGE, NORTHERN IRELAND. SOUL AND BLUES SINGER/ INSTRUMENT, HARMONICA. 'BELFAST'S KING OF SOUL'

Sam Mahood was Belfast's origional wild man of Soul, a Blues Legend, revered all over Ireland, who started singing gospel songs with his family, on the street corners of his native Banbridge. Sam's stage career began in a three piece band consisting of Walter McKinstry and Billy Murray. Later, after a meeting with with Robert and Billy Martin in Belfast, Sam was asked to become the lead singer of Just Five. The band, who were based in Suffolk,on the outskirts of Belfast, soon became renouned as one of Belfast's hottest R&B acts, regularly playing to packed houses, at such venues as the famous Maritime Hotel. The band consisting of Billy McCoy, Mervyn Crawford, Harry Curry, Nean Irvine and with Sam Mahood on vocals, quickly built up a great following while treating fans to the latest Rolling Stones songs, such as, 'Paint it Black' and as a tribute to 'Them',they often included a version of 'Baby Please Don't Go'. Just Five appeared on a package recording, released as Ireland's Greatest Sounds-five top groups from Belfast's Maratime Club',on Emerald Records and Sam, at this time, was voted Ireland's Number One Singer, with Rory Gallaher of Taste,second. Sam was renouned for his gravelly, soulful voice and brilliant harmonica playing and also for his unique fashion sense-often featuring in the fashion magazines of the day. Even in his youth, wearing blue suits with gold thread, bell-bottom jeans with studs down the sides and buckled shoes. This unique style continued into later years and ultimately became part of Sam's trademark,as he cut a dashing figure with his now infamous bright orange corduroy frock coat ( which he had tailor made for his stage performances) his long red hair, beard and his knee high black boots. Sam would often recall how at one time, when he had to sleep rough in Belfast, his holdall (full of his worldly possessions) was his pillow and the now infamous coat, was his blanket for four months, while sleeping on the loading bay at the rear of the Ritz/ABC. cinema, (sadly, no longer there)and getting up early each day to go to his job. In the early days of Just Five, Sam had a second Father figure who cared about him and thought a lot of his talent (even though Sam also had his own loving Father).This second Father was the great Sammy Houston, of the Jazz Club in Victoria Street Belfast and he presented Sam with one of his own tailored, ballroom tailcoats, which Sam wore many times in the stage performances at venues such as the famous Ulster Hall. As with the band scene, lineups change and Sam decided to leave Just Five. Mervyn Crawford had already left and was playing tenor sax with the Soul band called 'Heart & Soul' which later became the famous Soul Foundation. The band needed a new singer and Sam was asked if he would join them. The line-up consisted of Sam Mahood (lead vocals) George Porter (bass guitar) John Cox (lead guitar, brother of Mick cox of Eire Apparent) Mervyn Crawford (sax) Chris Napier(sax) Phil Turner(sax) with Karen Byrne(vocals)Liz Gilbert(vocals)& Rusty (vocals). It was an amazing combination, that was an instant hit from the word go, with the band touring all over Ireland to great acclaim. This new band 'Soul Foundation' mainly covered Otis Reding, along with Wilson Pickett, Arth Conley, Robert Parker, Brooker T, Sam & Dave...hence Sam was christened "Belfasts King Of Soul". Infact, it was often said, he was a white singer with a black soul voice-they used to joke he had iron filings for breakfast. It was at this time that Gordon Mills, Tom Jone's Manager, approached the group with a view to going to England, as he had heard such great reports about the band but as many of the musicians also held down day jobs and had family commitments,this great opportunity was sadly declined-a decision Sam would always regret. It was said, had the band gone to England, when talking of Sam Mahood, we would now be talking of an artist of world shattering proportions. At this point the Soul Foundation acquired a new Manager, the famous Arnie Knowles and because of Sam's enoumous popularity, he insisted the band be renamed 'Sam Mahood and the Soul Foundation'. In the 60's English bands came over to Belfast and Sam played with quite a few famous names,such as John Mayall Blues Band and the Pretty Things,also the great Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzie, was warm up band for Sam's band in Dundalk one night. Even the showbands of the time, such as Billy Brown and The Freshmen were in admiration of Sam's singing and on many occassions would drop in to listen to the great man in rehearsals. It was in 1970 that Sam left the Soul Foundation, disillusioned as he would say, "we weren't making real progress, despite all the predictions of how big we were to be". During this time Sam settled down and owned and ran a very successful business, with the franchise for all of Ireland and dedicated himself to raising his three children, Sam junior, Emma Jane & Thomas. In the early 1980's Sam was persuaded to return to the music scene, performing again to sell out audiences and appearing on the same bill, at the Ulster hall, with such greats as Buddy Guy. Sam initally formed the 'Chicargo Blues Band' playing to sell out crowds at popular venues, such as the Front Page, The Rotterdam and Morrisons. Sam's popularity had never diminished and audiences said his voice was better than ever,so along with his origional loyal fans, he acquired a whold new generation, who would come from miles just to see him perform live. Sam's life and the great contribution he made to the Belfast music scene has been celebrated with numerous Tribute gigs. It is often said that before Sam Mahood, there was no real Belfast music scene and that he paved the way for many artists, such as the great Van Morrison and many others. With the sad passing of the Great Sam Mahood in 2007, Belfast lost one of her unique and talanted sons...there will only ever be one Sam Mahood and the music scene is all the poorer for his passing. In 2008 Banbridge Arts Council,set up the Sam Mahood Music Bursary, in honour of Sam, who grew up in Banbridge. Also in 2008 the second ever Belfast 'Big River Blues & Jazz Festival' was held and the crowd were treated to a host of international headline acts, including the world renouned Steve Cropper and the famous 60's band the Animals. On the Saturday, at the St. George's Market venue,the night was devoted to the Irish musical greats, including Rory Gallagher, Jim Daley and Sam Mahood. The Great Lee Hedley (who is Sam's protege)fronted a lineup of the origional 'Soul Foundation' members and at the end of their set, Sam's career, which spanned four decades,was acknowledged by the festival organizors, when he was postumously awarded a 'Lifetimes Achievement Award',presented on his behalf by Lee Hedley to Sam's longtime partner Rusty.