Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs were a pivotal part of the 1960s garage rock and pop landscape, offering a jovial blend of rock and roll with a twist of Tex-Mex flavor. The band was formed in 1961 by lead vocalist Domingo "Sam" Samudio in Dallas, Texas. They gained massive popularity with their 1965 hit, "Wooly Bully," a song that rocked with a catchy rhythm and a Gypsy-flavored saxophone riff, which landed it on the Billboard Hot 100 for 18 weeks, peaking at No. 2. It was this single that helped the band carve out a place in rock and roll history, eventually earning RIAA certification as a gold record.

The colorful and charismatic band continued to enthrall audiences with their follow-up hit, "Li'l Red Riding Hood," in 1966, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 100, which showcased their ability to blend humor with catchy hooks. Their distinctive sound was characterized by Samudio's distinctive, rough-edged voice, set against a backdrop of raucous rhythms and a whimsical approach to music-making. Although their magic on the charts waned towards the late '60s, the band's fun-fueled discography, inclusive of albums like "Their Second Album" and "The Sam The Sham Revue," remained a testament to their unique blend of novelty rock and Samudio's creative leadership. The band's influence extended beyond their active years, with "The MGM Singles" collection showcasing the best of their lively and memorable tunes for a new generation of listeners.

Genres

Bubblegum Pop

Classic Garage Rock

Rock-and-roll

Surf Music

Related Artists

The Troggs

The Kingsmen

The Rolling Stones

The Temptations

The Animals

The Kinks

The Isley Brothers

The Zombies

The Drifters

The Box Tops

James Brown & The Famous Flames

The Shadows Of Knight

Latest Release

Wooly Bully [Extended (Remastered)]

Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs

Single - Released April 5, 2022