ONE WORD SAM

The world of guitars is rife with the names of semi-mythical and often unsung characters, few more so than that of Sam Li. His is a name that, until recently, you’d probably only be familiar with if you’ve spent an inordinate amount of time digging deep into the sub-layers of various guitar and music electronics forums. The man existed, no doubt. But the exact nature of his exploits was always a source of mere speculation.

In 2019, however, that speculation crystallised in this writer’s book, The Guitar Man: Sam Li. In the course of compiling the book, not only was new information uncovered but with it came a sense that this modest, retiring man’s contribution to the UK guitar arena in the golden era of London’s guitar scene has been vastly overlooked since his passing in 2005.

Born in Georgetown, Guiana (now Guyana) in 1928 to Indonesian and Chinese parents, Li worked as a cabinet-maker, having been taught woodworking by his elder brother Joe. He also loved playing jazz guitar, and was reputedly part of a trio that included pianist Iggy Quail, who’d later become an