On this day, 14 July 1982, heavy metal band Samson played Cardiff’s Top Rank.
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. Dickinson's replacement on vocals, Nicky Moore, performed with Samson throughout the mid-1980s and again from the late 1990s onwards. Samson were a part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
The group posted three entries in the UK Singles Chart. These were "Riding With The Angels" (1981, No. 54), "Losing My Grip" (1982, No. 63) and "Red Skies" (1983, No. 65).
