This week I am featuring a tribute to Sam Andrew of Big Brother and the Holding Company who sadly passed away in the arms of his wife, Elise, on Thursday, February 12th in San Francisco. Sam was a friend and previous guest on It’s A Question of Balance and was a phenomenal human being. Big Brother and The Holding Company, was originally composed of Janis Joplin, Peter Albin, Sam Andrew, James Gurley and Dave Getz. As a singer, songwriter, composer, and guitarist and founding member of Big Brother and The Holding Company Sam Andrew had multiple hits and three platinum albums to his name. Of his early compositions, “Call on Me” and “Combination of the Two” have been two of Big Brother’s most enduring classic tracks and are still concert favorites today. Sam Andrew and Janis Joplin also recorded an album together as the Kozmic Blues Band called ‘I Got Dem Old Kozmic Blues Again Mama’.
Sam and original band mate James Gurley produced some of the greatest psychedelic guitar solos of all time. In February of 1997, Guitar Player magazine listed the work of Sam and James on “Summertime” as one of the top ten Psychedelic solos in music history. After Big Brother stopped performing in 1972, Sam moved to New York where he studied harmony, counterpoint and composition. During this period he also scored several films in the US and Canada as well as writing two string quartets and a symphony. When Big Brother reunited in 1987, Sam provided a wonderful variety of fresh new songs to the band. A sensitive and thoughtful man, his personality is reflected in the lyrics of his beautiful ballads. When Big Brother was not not on the road, Sam pursued his solo project, The Sam Andrew Band.
In tribute to Sam I am featuring excerpts from my interviews with him.
Join me Saturday 9-10 PM to honor the life and art of Sam Andrew. For more info and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
