Mike Sammes

b. 19 February 1928, Reigate, Surrey, England, d. 19 May 2001, Reigate, Surrey, England. The son of a photographic equipment dealer, Sammes attended the local grammar school and played cello in its orchestra. After serving in the RAF for his national service, Sammes worked with his father and played piano in a local dance band called the Meltones. In 1954 Sammes followed bandmate Bill Shepherd to the George Mitchell Singers, and both men were also members of the splinter group the Coronets. Sammes' greater interest in vocal music led to the formation of the Michael (later, Mik...