Douglas Gary Sampson was an early drummer for Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...

 and first to ever record with the band. He was in the band from 1977 to 1979.

Prior to joining Maiden, Sampson was a member of one of Steve Harris

Steve Harris (musician)

Stephen Percy "Steve" Harris is an English musician and songwriter, known as the bassist, occasional keyboardist, backing vocalist and primary songwriter of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, which he founded in 1975...

' previous groups, Smiler, between 1974 and 1975.

He was one of the four members of the band to sign a recording contract

Recording contract

A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...

 with EMI

EMI

The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...

. However, shortly after he fell ill due to the rigours of touring. He was replaced by Clive Burr

Clive Burr

Clive Burr is a British drummer, best known as a member of Iron Maiden from 1979 to 1982.-Career:Previously a member of Samson, Burr joined Iron Maiden in 1979...

 shortly before the recording of the self-titled first Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden (album)

*On the 1998 remastered release, the fade out of "Transylvania" and the intro to "Strange World" were moved to the end of "Transylvania".-Personnel:*Paul Di'Anno – vocals*Dave Murray – guitar*Dennis Stratton – guitar, backing vocals...

album. He also appears on a demo vesion of Running Free, recorded in November 1979. The track ended up on the Axe Attach compilation LP.

Sampson appeared on the demo

Demo (music)

A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...

, The Soundhouse Tapes

The Soundhouse Tapes

- Credits :*Paul Di'Anno - vocals*Dave Murray - guitar*Steve Harris - bass guitar*Doug Sampson - drums...

, as well as the song "Burning Ambition" which appeared on the first Iron Maiden single, "Running Free

Running Free

"Running Free" was the first single released by Iron Maiden, released on 8 February 1980 on the 7" 45 rpm vinyl record format. It was written by Steve Harris and Paul Di'Anno...

".