UNO, DOS…Uno...dos...tres…quatro! The Legendary Sam the Sham to help
South Pasadena Honor Vets

by Steve Fjeldsted

City Librarian

Wooly Bully?!?!...”Hey, dude! I know that song.”

Jeff Spicoli, Fast Times At Ridgemont High

You practically have to be living on another continent not to have heard “Wooly Bully” and “Li’l Red Riding Hood,” the two biggest hits by classic rock group Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. Considered one of the quintessential American rock bands of the 1960’s, the grouped hailed from Dallas, Texas where Domingo Samudio, AKA Sam the Sham, was born and raised. Together with the Pharaohs, he recorded four albums and twelve singles and the group was nationally-known for its hard-driving party sound. The members were also instantly recognizable for their stage costumes and the hearse that they drove to concerts.

Although “Wooly Bully” vied with “Ticket to Ride” by The Beatles and “Help Me, Rhonda” by The Beach Boys for the Number 1 position on the national charts during 1965, it never quite reached the top, although it sold more than 3 million copies. It’s interesting to note that its opening countdown, one of the most famous intros in rock music, was only included on the record at the insistence of the record company. Sam asked for it to be removed –to no avail. The rest, as they say, is history. The group’s biggest hit, “Li’l Red Riding Hood” hit Number 2 nationwide in 1966.

Although Sam and the group fell on pretty hard times by the late 60s, Sam went on to receive a Grammy for his liner notes to one of his 70s LPs entitled “Sam, Hard and Heavy.” Sam became a minister and even though he’s been out of the national spotlight for many years “Wooly Bully” and “Li’l Red Riding Hood” still appear in countless 60s Rock, Party Rock, Latino Rock, and Frat Rock CD compilations. The group’s recording of “Haunted House” is also a perennial Halloween favorite. “Wooly Bully” has been featured in many movies, usually for dancing scenes.

Although Sam, who now lives in Memphis, is fondly remembered by music fans, many might be unaware that he’s a Navy veteran who was honorably discharged in 1959. Sam is a humanitarian who enlisted at 17 years-old. He won’t be performing his music in South Pasadena, but will instead be reading a poem he recently wrote as a tribute to veterans who have “tasted combat” for the betterment of us all. Sam will also be presenting a plaque to be hung in the War Memorial.

Kicking off the event will be a Ribbon-Cutting for the War Memorial Trophy Room with Opening Remarks by Council Member Mike Ten and a flag ceremony with members of Boy Scout Troop 333.  Also showcased during the event will be a speaking appearance by Peter Collier, one of the great American biographers.’ Peter’s most recent book is Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty. The author’s presentation will focus on his research for the book, when he traveled the country interviewing almost all of the living Medal of Honor recipients.

The free event is presented by South Pasadena Community Services, South Pasadena Public Library, and the Friends of the South Pasadena Library. The Arroyo Vista Inn and Poets & Writers, Inc. with financial support from the James Irvine Foundation are the co-sponsors.