
Samuel McClain (April 15, 1943 – June 15, 2015), better known as Mighty Sam early in his career, and later billed as Mighty Sam McClain, was an American soul blues singer and songwriter.
He was born in Monroe, Louisiana. As a five-year-old, he began singing in his mother's Gospel Church. McClain left home when he was thirteen and followed local R&B guitarist, Little Melvin Underwood through the Chitlin' Circuit, first as his valet and then as lead vocalist himself at 15.
While singing at the 506 Club in Pensacola, Florida, he was introduced to the record producer and DJ, Papa Don Schroeder and in 1966, McClain recorded a cover version of Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams". Several recording sessions at Muscle Shoals produced the further singles, "Fannie-May" and "In the Same Old Way". For 15 years, first in Nashville, Tennessee, then in New Orleans, McClain worked at menial jobs.
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Links to Peel[]
Peel played many of Sam's material from the 70's and beyond via various albums on his radio programmes. There's currently no evidence of Peel playing any of Sam's material in the 60's when he started his music career.
Shows Played[]
- 11 January 1979: Mr and Mrs Untrue (7”) Hit And Run
- 1982
- 29 July 1982: In The Same Old Way
- 1988
- 25 July 1988: In The Same Old Way (album - Nothing But The Truth) Charly R&B
- 02 August 1988: Just Like Old Times (LP - Nothing But The Truth) Charly R&B
- 06 September 1988: Talk To Me, Talk To Me (LP - Nothing But The Truth) Charly R&B
- 13 September 1988: Nothing But the Truth (LP - Nothing But The Truth) Charly
- 28 September 1988: Sweet Dreams (LP - Nothin’ But The Truth) Charly R ‘n’ B
- 1990
- 19 February 1990: When She Touches Me (v/a 2xLP - The Classic Soul Years 1967) Connoisseur Collection
- 2004
- 29 January 2004: When She Touches Me (Nothing Else Matters) (v/a LP - Kent's Cellar of Soul) Kent
- 20 April 2004: When She Touches Me (Nothing Else Matters) (v/a LP - Kent's Cellar of Soul) Kent