Sammy Drain

Sammy Drain (March 13, 1945 – July 22, 2016) was an American guitarist based in Seattle. He also was a friend of the rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix and jammed with him before Hendrix found fame. During his lifetime, Drain was a living link to Hendrix's youth. During his career, Drain played with musicians such as Albert Collins, Buddy Miles, Bobby Womack and Stevie Wonder. Drain was also a photographer, actor, and the co-founder of the Seattle Blues Society.

Early years and background Samuel Lee Drain was born to parents Andrew and Carrie Drain on March 13, 1945.

He started playing guitar around the age of thirteen. Drain also played keyboards and drums.

He was a local neighborhood and school friend of Jimi Hendrix who hung out with him and knew the family well. When they were young, both Drain and Hendrix got up to some mischief. Hendrix was proud of his Cherokee ancestry and liking the Native American footwear, both Drain and Hendrix each lifted a pair of moccasins. They also played instruments and jammed together. Drain and Hendrix experimented by trading licks and writing songs etc. Drain had played at some of the same clubs that Hendrix played in. Drain's influences were B. B. King, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Albert King and Freddie King. Some years later, Drain was recognized for his musical contributions as well, and a Sammy Drain Day was proclaimed in Seattle.

2000s Drain was a regular player and the main blues artist at Thompson's Point of View at 23rd and Union. The restaurant had a problem with criminal activity taking place outside the premises which resulted in customers being frightened away. One day, a scuffle broke out in the club and Drain was nearly shot. Consequently, he left the venue.

In December 2003, Sammy Drain & Company were playing at Wazobia.

In 2004, it was decreed by King County Council member Larry Gossett that March 13 was "Sammy Drain Day".

In 2012, he was booked to play at Jimi Hendrix's 70th birthday party. The event featured Septimus, Robb Lawrence, Stacey Stanford, Ten Twenty, Ashley Holscher and Isaiah Bush.

Death and legacy During his time, he played with the following : Albert Collins, Con Funk Shun, Buddy Miles, Bobby Womack, and Stevie Wonder. He also did some acting for a while, and appeared in television shows such as L.A. Law. Jimi Hendrix: By Those Who Knew Him Best - 2004 Jimi Hendrix, The Complete Story - 2007

Discography Sammy Drain Once Bitten