Col Joye With The Joy Boys - Sweet Dreams (1961)

Dave Sampson - Sweet Dreams (1960)

(Dave Sampson)
 UK
Original version
#29 UK

Single on Columbia by British rocker (1941-2014), sometimes referred to as one of the unsung heroes of the Sixties. Label shows DAVE SAMPSON and The Hunters.

Dave Sampson formed his first skiffle band in 1957 with Martin Murray (later of The Honeycombs). He moved on to play in various bands on the London rock'n'roll scene, notably The Parker Royal Four which included some schoolmates of Cliff Richard. After meeting and performing with Cliff and The Shadows, Dave wrote Sweet Dreams with Cliff in mind, but producer Norrie Paramor ended up signing Dave to record the song himself.

During the 60s Dave toured with a number of British pop stars of the day. As well as Cliff Richard and the Shadows, they included Billy Fury, Marty Wilde and Joe Brown. From 1963 he worked in Hamburg at The Star Club and The Top Ten Club along with The Beatles and other international stars including Jerry Lee Lewis.

In 2005 he appeared with the legendary guitarist James Burton in the Ricky Nelson tribute show, Remembering Ricky.

RPM Records have released a CD of the Abbey Road recordings of Dave Sampson & The Hunters, including Sweet Dreams and its demo version.


Thanks to Dave Sampson for biographical details and photos.

Dave Sampson with Cliff Richard.

With Jerry Lee Lewis.