Thunderstick
Barry Graham Purkis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Barry Graham Purkis December 7, 1954 England |
| Other names | Thunderstick |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer, musician |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Known for | Drummer for Samson, masked stage persona "Thunderstick" |
| Notable work | Albums with Samson (Survivors, Head On, Shock Tactics), Thunderstick solo albums (Feel like Rock 'n' Roll?, Beauty and the Beasts, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Lockdown) |
Barry Graham Purkis, better known by his stage name Thunderstick (born 7 December 1954), is an English drummer recognized for his distinctive masked appearance and performing within a cage on stage. He gained prominence primarily through his involvement with the cult favorite band Samson.
In 1979, Purkis crafted a dramatic stage character influenced by horror classics such as The Rocky Horror Show and Hammer horror films, adopting a variety of masks, most notably his trademark rhinestone-studded mirrorball mask. Samson experienced moderate acclaim, highlighted by their 1980 release Head On, which climbed to No. 34 on the UK Albums Chart. Additionally, the track Riding With The Angels from the album Shock Tactics reached No. 54 on the UK Singles Chart.
Purkis appeared unmasked in the low-budget film Biceps of Steel, which featured Samson. To enable simultaneous filming of scenes, his brother-in-law Ben K. Reeves occasionally took over the Thunderstick persona.
In June 2005, Classic Rock Magazine placed Thunderstick at No. 36 on their list of the "50 Greatest Drummers in Rock."
Early career and Iron Maiden
During 1973–74, Purkis was a member of the proto-punk group Tiny and the Hot Toddies in London's West End before moving to Sicily to tour professionally with Mal and the Primitives. Upon returning to England, he briefly joined Iron Maiden between 1977 and 1978, performing live shows before developing his masked identity.
A disagreement over songwriting credits emerged regarding 'The Ides of March' from Iron Maiden's Killers album and Samson’s version titled 'Thunderburst' on Head On. While Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris received co-writing credit on Samson’s rendition, Purkis was not credited on Iron Maiden’s track—a dispute that remains unresolved.
In 1980, after touring with Samson, Purkis was invited back to Iron Maiden but chose to stay with Samson, where his theatrical persona had become integral to the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement. His replacement in Iron Maiden was former Samson drummer Clive Burr.
Thunderstick band and subsequent projects
Following his departure from Samson due to creative disagreements, Thunderstick established a band under his own name, consisting of two guitarists, a bassist, and a female singer. They produced two hard rock releases: the EP Feel like Rock 'n' Roll? (1983) and the full-length album Beauty and the Beasts (1984), both issued through Magnum/Thunderbolt Records. These recordings were later remastered and compiled into the 2011 anthology CD Echoes from the Analogue Asylum, which also featured previously unreleased material.
The group disbanded in 1986 after completing their unreleased final album Don't Touch, I'll Scream. Thunderstick and vocalist Jodee Valentine sought opportunities in the United States, even contemplating forming an American lineup; however, they ultimately returned to Britain to preserve their NWOBHM roots. A fifth iteration of the band emerged in 1988 under prominent management but dissolved after failing to secure a major label contract.
Under his birth name Barry Purkis, he collaborated with Bernie Tormé and the Electric Gypsies during the late 1980s. In 1989, performing as Thunderstick during Paul Samson’s solo shows in America alongside bassist Eric Mauriello, they were joined by Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley for an encore at New York’s Roxy Theatre. Purkis rejoined Samson twice more: first in 1990 to compose and record tracks released on 1999's Past Present & Future, then again from 1999 to 2000 for reunion performances in Japan and at Germany’s Wacken Open Air Festival. His songwriting contributions also appear on Paul Samson’s posthumous album P.S.... 1953–2002 (2006), initially intended as Brand New Day.
Purkis remains active in music composition and production for other artists. On 25 April 2009, he revived Thunderstick at Germany’s Keep It True Festival alongside fellow NWOBHM musicians.
After former lead vocalist Jodee Valentine passed away on 22 April 2016, Purkis reassembled Thunderstick with new members. The band released their album Something Wicked This Way Comes in July 2017.
Following additional lineup shifts and tours, Thunderstick issued its third studio album, Lockdown, in 2023. A forthcoming album is currently undergoing mixing with plans for release in 2026.
Thunderstick Band Configurations
1981–1982: Vinnie Munro (lead vocals), Neil Hay (guitar), Colin Heart (guitar), Ben K. Reeve (bass guitar), Thunderstick (drums).
1982–1983: Ana Marie Carmella Borg (vocals), Wango Wiggins (guitar, stage name of Neil Hay), Cris Martin (guitar), Ben K. Reeve (bass), Thunderstick (drums).
1983–1984: Jodee Valentine (vocals), Wango Wiggins (guitar), Cris Martin (guitar), Ben K. Reeve (bass), Thunderstick (drums). Ana Marie Carmella Borg contributed vocals on the 1983 EP; however, Jodee Valentine replaced her and appeared on the cover.
1984–1986: Jodee Valentine (vocals), Wango Wiggins (guitar), Bengt Sorenssen (guitar), Ben K. Reeve (bass), Thunderstick (drums).
1987–1988: Jodee Valentine (vocals), Dave Kilford (guitar), Paul Lewis (guitar), John Slight (bass), Thunderstick (drums).
2017 (studio lineup): Lucie V (vocals), Martin Shellard (guitar), Dave Kilford (guitar), Rex Thunderbolt (bass), Thunderstick (drums).
2018: Viixen (vocals), Baz Roze (guitar), Lee Quenby (guitar), Rex Thunderbolt (bass), Thunderstick (drums).
Current lineup: Raven Blackwing (vocals), Peter J. Pinto (lead guitar), Stitch (rhythm guitar), Rex Thunderbolt (bass), Thunderstick (drums).
Discography
- Studio Albums with Samson
- Survivors (1979)
- Head On (1980)
- Shock Tactics (1981)
- Head Tactics (1986 – a remix merging Head On and Shock Tactics)
- Past Present & Future (1999 – anthology including tracks from 1990)
- Live Albums with Samson
- Metal Crusade '99 (1999 – compilation featuring four bands, including Samson)
- Live in London 2000 (2000)
- Studio Albums as Thunderstick
- Feel like Rock 'n' Roll? (1983)
- Beauty and the Beasts (1984)
- Echoes from the Analogue Asylum (2011)
- Something Wicked This Way Comes (2017)
- Something Wicked This Way Came, Live In France (2019)
- Lockdown (2023)
- Notable Appearances
- ‘’For Gillan Fans Only’’ (1980 – complimentary album accompanying Gillan’s Glory Road LP, featuring the track ‘’Come Tomorrow’’)
- A Bolt from the Black (1984 – various artists compilation, including the song Runaround)
- Just'In Power (1987 – various artists compilation, featuring one new track: Don't Touch, I'll Scream)
- Best of British Metal (1999 – various artists compilation, containing two new songs: Dark Night Black Light and Shining)
- Video Releases
- Biceps of Steel (1980) – included in Bruce Dickinson's Anthology
- Thunder, Thunder (1985 – unreleased music video)
- The History of Iron Maiden – Part 1: The Early Days (2004 DVD – archival footage)
- Iron Maiden and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (2008 DVD)