Original Member of the Legendary Little Anthony and the Imperials

My name is Sammy Strain, a Sagittarius, born on December 9^th in the Bedford Styvesant section of Brooklyn, New York.

In 1956, along with Paul Fulton, Bubbic Lincoln, and Nathaniel Epps, he recorded the hit single, Rubber Biscuit, as the Chips. In 1958 he joined the Fantastics and they recorded, Millionaire Hobo and There Goes My Love.  Late in 1959, Sammy joined the Impacts and they recorded, Darling Now You're Mine on Carlton records for Richard Barrette, the producer of Frankie Lyman and the Teenagers.

In 1961, Sammy joined Ernest Wright, Clarence Collins, and George Kerr of the Imperials, minus Little Anthony who had gone solo, and they recorded, Faithfully Yours, also on Carlton Records. Kenny Seymour replaced George Kerr in 1962.

In 1963, Anthony returned (minus Kenny Seymour), Clarence, Ernest and Sammy became, Little Anthony and the Imperials. They signed with DCP Records. Don Costa Productions along with Teddy Randazzle produced such hits as, I'm On The Outside Looking In, Goin Out of My Head, Hurt So Bad, ��Take Me Back, and numerous others.

That combination was together until 1969, exit Ernest Wright, entered Kenny Seymour. In 1971, exit Kenny Seymour once again, entered Bobby Wade. In 1972 Sammy left the group to open a steak house with Dione Warwick and Redd Fox in North Hollywood, California, called, The Meat Rack.

In 1976 Sammy joined the R & B group The O'Jays, and went on to record such hits as, Usta Be My Girl, Forever Mine, Brandy, and Cry Together, and Emotionally Yours, among the 10 millions records on Philly International Records, produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.

After 16 years with the O'Jays, Sammy Strain left the O'Jays to regroup with Clarence, Ernest, and Anthony after a successful reunion show at Madison Square Garden in New York City and the 1992 Dick Clark 40^th Anniversary Bandstand Special on ABC TV.

Since then, Little Anthony and the Original Imperials have gone on to headline across America in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and hundreds of cities in between.

Sammy hopes to continue performing with Little Anthony and the Original Imperials and see the group record many more hit records and venture into every avenue of the entertainment industry today, including records, TV shows, nightclubs, videos, and the interest!!!  

Sho You Right!!

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