Sam Andrew (born Sam Houston Andrew III, 18 December 1941, in Taft, California, U.S.) is a musician, singer, songwriter, composer, artist and founding member and guitarist of Big Brother and the Holding Company. During his career as musician and composer, Andrew has had three platinum albums and two hit singles. His songs have been used in numerous major motion picture soundtracks and documentaries.

As the son of a military father, he moved a great deal as a child. Sam developed a skill for music at a very early age. By the time he was fifteen living in Okinawa, he already had his own band, called the “Cool Notes”. His early influences were Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and Little Richard. He also listened to a great deal of Delta blues. Not only did Sam have his own band at age fifteen, but he also had his own weekly TV show, an Okinawan version of American Bandstand.His brother Leland Andrew frequently stated his brother was the Benny Goodman of Japan.

Shortly after Sam graduated from high school his father was transferred to Hamilton Air Force Base in northern California. It was during this period that Sam started attending classes at the University of San Francisco and got involved in the San Francisco folk music scene of the early 1960s. But it was not until he returned from a two-year stay in Paris that he met Peter Albin at 1090 Page Street.

As Big Brother began to gel, Sam brought many songs into the band. He has been a prolific songwriter all of his life, penning his first tune at the age of six. Of his early compositions, “Call on Me” and “Combination of the Two” have been two of Big Brother’s most enduring classic tracks.. Sam continues today in his original role as musical director of the band.

Janis Joplin was recruited by band manager Chet Helms to join Big Brother as le