Known as “The Roving Disc Jockey”, Henry Sampson’s career spanned the golden age of Baltimore radio.
In Mr. Sampson’s own words, “In 1946 at the age of eighteen, as the first and only black radio engineer in Baltimore City by working with the Engineers of radio station WITH, where Chuck Richards was the only black radio announcer. Henry became a disc jockey in his own right as “The Roving Disc Jockey.” Henry played records for wedding receptions, boat rides, bar-b-ques, block parties, banquets, bull roasts, and family reunions. Henry was on the air on several radio stations in the Baltimore area (WWIN, WEBB, WBGR, WJRO, WITH, WLG) playing gospel music.”
“He married Ms. Lucinda Thompson on November 17, 1963 (Larry Dean was his Best Man). From their marriage there were five children – three sons and two daughters.”
“Henry worked with nationally known disc jockeys such as Larry Dean, Chuck Richards, Eddie Morrison, Rockin’ Robin, Hot Rod, Fat Daddy, Sir Johnny-O, Bill ‘Sparky’ Mullen, Kelson ‘Chop-Chop’ Fisher, Sam Beasley, Don Brooks, Al Jefferson, Champ Higgins, Joltin’ Joe Parker, Vernon ‘Mr. Vee’ Blagmond, Kitty Broady, Sue Wood, Aunt Pauline Wells Lewis, Mary Cee, and Mary Dee of Philadelphia. But it was really Vernon Blagmond who taught Henry to be a disc jockey on “The House Of Blue Lights” program in 1950 on radio station WSID (100-AM). Henry had a choice of playing golden oldies for which he was popular or to play gospel music, but Henry chose to pay gospel music. His late night or early morning gospel program was called “Good Inspirational Music.”
“Henry also managed singing groups such as The Starlettes, The Profiles, The Chalons, The Royaltunes, The Sachcoes, plus two bands The Jumpin’ Jaguars, and The Royals. The first group that Henry managed was a group called the Silver Echoes. Henry also sponsored many banquets and golden oldies affairs. He had two hobbies, he loved to roller skate and collect old records (both gospel and rock & roll).”
Henry’s favorite closing out message would always be “Remember it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice. If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.”
Henry was born September 2, 1928. He passed away on August 8, 2008.
Bio written by Henry, shared by his son Antonio Sampson.