Sammy Drain was a guitarist from Seattle who was well known in the area and considered to be a legend. He also was a friend of rock guitaristJimi Hendrix and jammed with him before Hendrix found fame. During his lifetime, he was a living link to Hendrix's youth years. During his career, he played with artists such as Albert Collins, Buddy Miles, Bobby Womack and Stevie Wonder. Drain was also a photographer and actor. Drain was also the co-founder of the Seattle Blues Society. He died in 2016.
Early years and background
Sammy was born to parents Andrew and Carrie Drain on March 13, 1945. He started playing guitar around the age of thirteen. He 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 he 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. Also in their young years and playing instruments, he and his keyboard playing brother jammed together with Hendrix. Sammy Drain and Hendrix experimented, trading licks and writing songs etc. Drain had played at some of the same clubs that Hendrix played in. Drains influences were B.B. King, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Albert King and Freddie King.
Later years
1990s
Drain was instrumental in having a Jimi Hendrix day recognized. He approached the mayor of Seattle Norm Rice, and talked to him about it. The mayor, knowing the contribution to music Hendrix had made, readily agreed and on November 27, 1992, which would have been the 50th birthday for the guitarist, Mayor Rice issued a proclamation making it Jimi Hendrix Day. 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 next to the premises which resulted in customers being frightened away. One day a scuffle broke out in the club and Drain was nearly shot. So he left the venue. He was interviewed for the 2004 documentary about Hendrix, Jimi Hendrix: By Those Who Knew Him Best that also featured his brother Leon Hendrix and Octavia inventor Roger Mayer. 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". On March 13, 2010 Drain turned 65. In addition to the announcement by the Seattle Met that "Today is Officially Sammy Drain Day", it also mentioned that the day was his birthday and a celebration was taking place that night on 1808 8th Avenue. At that time Drain was playing at China Harbor regularly on Tuesday nights. In November that year it was announced that along with the Leon Hendrix band, Joe Doria of McTuff, Jabril, Shawn Smith of Brad, Brandon Storms, Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees, and Drain were to play the Goodfoot Lounge on November 20 for Jimi Hendrix's 67th Birthday Bash. Around 2012, later that year 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, was at the Hard Rock Café, Bayside, 401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami on Tuesday, November 27. In June 2014, Drain was playing at venues in Shelbyville, Tennessee. He was hoping to return for a Calsonic Arena performance. Mel's on Depot Street was one of Shelbyville venue he played at.
Death and legacy
During his time he played with the group 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. He also served as mentor and teacher to young people of both Caucasian and African American backgrounds, teaching them about the guitar, his passion in music and the blues. Sammy Drain died on July 22, 2016 at age 71.
