Sam See

Sam See was born in Sydney on the 28th September 1949. Sam grew up in a very musical household. His father was a semi-pro musicians and his uncle was Howard Craven a very popular radio presenter and TV personality in Sydney. Sam joined his first band The Nonesuch whilst at school. Sam’s first gig was at The Punchbowl Hotel backing Denise Drysdale.

After leaving school in 1968 Sam worked a day job at Chappell’s Music Publishing Company and soon was part of the formation of Sherbet. In March 1970 Sherbet gained a residency at Jonathan’s night club in Sydney were they played alongside Fraternity. This was the beginning of a friendship which would culminate in Sam joining Fraternity.

Sam would hang out at Fraternity’s house in Paddington, Sydney. At the rear of Fraternity another up and coming band lived, The Flying Circus. Sam wanted to play guitar, rather than keyboards and a space opened up in the Flying Circus after the departure of Red McKelvie. At the suggestion of Bruce Howe, the Flying Circus welcomed Sam See as their new guitarist.

In September 1970, The Flying Circus had just won the Hoadley’s national battle of the Sounds. Sam embarked on recording a new LP with them, Bonza, Beaut & Boom Boom Boom. After a photo shoot for the album on the deck of the cruise ship they boarded, the band headed for North America on 20th January 1971. Before they were due to return to Australia in February 1971, the Flying Circus were offered a eight week tour of Canada. After a well received Canadian tour, the band returned to Australia, just as Fraternity were about to win the 1971 Hoadley’s Battle of The Bands. Bruce asked Sam to join Fraternity on Piano and guitar, which he jumped at the chance to.

Fraternity cut an album Flaming Galah, which featured Sam on Keys and Guitar. Soon after Fraternity moved to England and would eventually split in 1973. Sam returned to The Flying Circus in Canada and recorded the LP Last Laugh with them. Sam and fellow Flying Circus member Terry Wilkins also joined popular Canadian band ‘Lighthouse’.

Upon returning to Australia, Sam formed Stockley, See and Mason with Chris Stockley and Glyn Mason. Since then Sam has been a musical director, production and guitarist for a wide array of artists including; John Farnham, Goanna, The Black Sorrows, Swanee, Ross Wilson, Daryl Braithwaite, Brian Cadd, Broderick Smith, Rose Bygrave, Olivia Newton John, Tina Arena, Glenn Shorrock, Dale Ryder, Debra Byrne, Thelma Houston, Men At Work, Marie Wilson, Jane Saunders, and Joe Camilleri and the Under the Southern Stars concert.