Ian "Sammy" Samwell passed away March 13, 2003

Ian Samwell died peacefully in his sleep in the intensive care unit of Mercy San Juan Hospital in Sacramento, California on March 13, 2003. The recipient of a heart transplant in 1991, Ian had eleven more good years after it looked like his number was up the first time. He is survived by his sons Ralph Samwell and Tyson Haynes and his grandson Cian Haynes all of whom reside in London, England. He will be greatly missed.

Ian Samwell's Memorial Celebration

There was a celebration of Ian Samwell's life and passing on Sunday March 23, 2003 at the Power House Pub in Folsom, California. His sons and some 200 of his friends, from throughout the span of the 23 years he lived in this area, were there to enjoy the contributions of yet more friends who are also talented musicians. Those performing included Bob Cheevers, Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers, Lance Taber, Scott West, Jude Lemons Hudson, David Houston, Larry Tagg, Willie Hines and PTFH, The Beer Dawgs, and Gary Imboden.

All these artists and more came together in various combinations to make some great music, share their feelings for Ian, and to play "no sad songs." As the evening came to a reluctant end, everybody agreed that this was exactly the kind of send off Ian would have wanted. Those of you who are not Americans may find it hard to fathom, but almost none of his friends here knew much about Cliff Richard or Move It. Inexplicably, this is one of the few world markets where Cliff never quite caught on. After it was introduced as "the most famous song you've never heard," the audience did listen with great interest to the 1999 live version of Move It, along with an explanation of its importance in history, and to the following personal message sent specifically for this occasion from Sir Cliff:

Of all the records I've made over the years, I reckon that Sammy's Move It remains my one outstanding rock 'n' roll classic. Not only that, but it was the song that kicked off my career, and pioneered a whole new sound in the UK music scene in the late 1950s.

It certainly doesn't seem that long ago that we took the 715 bus from Cheshunt to Oxford Circus in order to audition for Norrie Paramor, but it was during that journey that Sammy sat scrawling on a bit of paper. Move It was born and a little bit of rock 'n' roll history created. The fact that it took him 30 years to send me the second verse is neither here nor there!! I owe him a lot. Thanks, Sammy.

Sammy had been amused for some time that Cliff's memory of how Move It was written has come to place it on the wrong day and the wrong bus, but he always held Cliff in the highest regard, and this was certainly a gracious message.

Ian's role in developing the band America is better known here, but many of the audience did not know that America's first album was originally released without the song which eventually made it a huge hit. The song, of course, is A Horse With No Name, and it was Ian's extra effort which gave us this classic song as we know it. Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, who are America, sent the following message especially to be read on this occasion:

Unfortunately, we cannot be with all of Ian’s friends and family on this night of memorial and celebration. We cannot be there because we are currently on the road in Canada. We have certainly given a great deal of thought lately about how we came to be performing our music, 30 years later, throughout the world. One overwhelming reason is Ian Samwell. He helped to pave this road that we are still traveling today. As most of you know, Ian was an early force in our careers and lives and his presence and influence survives him in our music and in our hearts.

We are honored and humbled to be a part of Ian’s legacy. We can only hope that the choices we’ve made and the paths we’ve followed pleased Ian and reaffirmed his confidence in us. We would like to believe that we continue to be a tribute to a legendary man. So long Ian and thanks.

We are fortunate to have had Ian Samwell live among us for a time. His friendship was unique and special with each of the many people he cared about. His friendship will live within each of us as long as we do, and perhaps beyond.

His contribution to music will continue to touch the lives of those who have never even heard of him . . . for a very long time.

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