A diamond in the rough is one way to describe Jesse Samsel; a true gentleman would be another. Take a moment and reflect on the travels of one of the Northwest’s most iconic guitar players.
Samsel began playing guitar at the young age of 11, inspired at the time by Credence Clearwater Revival and Grand Funk Railroad. High school years found him rocking the Portland club circuit with his band, White Lightning. Old-timers still recall shows at clubs no longer standing and backyard parties where fun was had by all. White Lightning had some radio success with airplay on local radio KISN and headlined major shows. A somewhat new band named Heart called to ask them to open a show, just before Heart broke on radio stations with Crazy on You.
In his mid-20s, Samsel joined forces with Meredith Brooks, released an album in 1987 and went on to tour in support of that album. As all remember, the late ‘80s was a changing time in the hearts of the American pop rock culture, as the grunge scene took over and bands from Seattle dominated the airwaves.
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