Sam Kempe
Sam Kempe | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Samuel Kempe |
| Born | 1946 (age 77–78) Rugby, Warwickshire, England, UK |
| Genres | pop |
| Instrument(s) | vocals, autoharp |
| Member of | Pinkerton's Assorted Colours |
| Formerly of | The Flying Machine |
Samuel "Pinkerton" Kempe (born 1946) is a British pop singer.
Career[edit]
He formed "The Liberators", who in 1965 changed their name to Pinkerton's Assorted Colours. In February 1966, they peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart with "Mirror, Mirror".[1] He played the electric Autoharp, and was one of, if not the only UK pop band at the time to play the instrument. He chose the name "Pinkerton's Assorted Colours" because he wanted a "posh sounding name".[2] Kempe's nickname was originally "Widge", but it was changed to "Pinkerton" to go with the band name.[3] In 1969, the band reformed as The Flying Machine.[4] In the United States, they had a hit with Smile a Little Smile for Me. The song went to number five in the US.[5] It is speculated that Kempe had left the Flying Machine by the time their album "The Flying Machine" was released in 1970, as he doesn't appear on the album cover. Kempe is a current member of the new version of Pinkerton's Assorted Colours, that has been touring since reforming in the 1980s.
Discography[edit]
- Pinkerton's Assorted Colours 1965 single: "Mirror, Mirror" b/w "She Don't Care" – No. 9 UK[6]
- Pinkerton's Assorted Colours 1966 single: "Don't Stop Loving Me Baby" / "Will Ya" – No. 50 UK
- Pinkerton's Assorted Colours 1966 single: "Magic Rockin' Horse" / "It Ain't Right" – No. 56 UK
- Pinkerton's Assorted Colours 1967 single: "Mum And Dad" / "On A Street Car"
- Pinkerton's Assorted Colours 1968 single: "There's Nobody I'd Sooner Love" / "Duke's Jetty"
- Pinkerton's Assorted Colours 1968 single: "Kentucky Woman" / "Behind The Mirror"[7]
- The Flying Machine 1969 single: "Smile a Little Smile for Me" b/w "Maybe We've Been Loving Too Long" – No. 5 U.S.
- The Flying Machine 1969 single: "Baby Make It Soon" b/w "There She Goes" – No. 87 U.S.
- The Flying Machine 1969 single: "Send My Baby Home Again" b/w "Look At Me Look At Me"
- The Flying Machine 1969 album: "The Flying Machine"
- The Flying Machine 1970 single: "Hanging on the Edge of Sadness" b/w "Flying Machine"
- The Flying Machine 1970 single: "The Devil Has Possession of Your Mind" b/w "Hey Little Girl"
- The Flying Machine 1970 single: "Yes I Understand" b/w "Pages of Your Life"[8]
- The Flying Machine 1970 album: "Down to Earth with the Flying Machine"
References[edit]
- ^ https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/12246/pinkertons-assorted-colours/
- ^ Archive, Coventry Music Scene (2012-09-23). "Coventry Music Articles by Pete Clemons: Pinkerton's Assorted Colours". Coventry Music Articles by Pete Clemons. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ Chambers, Pete (2013-10-03). "Backbeat: Pinkerton's get ready to Air some old favourites". Coventry Live. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ "Flying Machine Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ "Smile A Little Smile For Me / The Flying Machine". elpee.jp. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ "PINKERTON'S ASSORTED COLOURS - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 427. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Flying Machine - Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 April 2019.