Samm Mann of THEE APES has died… RIP Samm Mann!
“A true legend! All of the Sunset Strip bands would unite at Sam’s shows… In these circles your name will never be forgotten… Rest in Peace Sam Mann!”
— Shane Hunter / Pal Joey – Mad Moxie
HOLLYWOOD, California — Another sad day as we report that Samm Mann of Sam Mann and THEE APES has died.
Mann was a mainstay on the Sunset Strip and the greater Southern California music scene over many decades as an artist, actor and host.
Mann was a regular emcee at the No Bozo Jams at “Whisky-A-Go-Go” and he was prominent at nearly every show and event related to the entertainment industry in general.
Mann had been sick for a while battling some form of Cancer and reports from immediate friends confirmed he passed away on Thursday March 26th.
Mann and his band THEE APES were well known for fun catchy songs with crazy lyrics and song titles like; “69 Your Place Or Mine“, “Assume The Position”, “Not The Marrying Kind” and his smash-hit fan favorite, “Beaver Dracula“.
“It’s a very very sad day as another Sunset Strip Rock Legend is gone. Sam Mann R.I.P. brother” was part of a social media post made by rock singer Adam Gifford of the band Paradise announcing Mann‘s passing.
Gifford went onto say: “Sam started in the 70’s and the stories he regaled us with were full of all the people you think of when you think of the Strip & Rock N Roll & MORE!!”
Tributes are pouring in and being posted on social media and we’ll share some more below.
“I loved Sam…The world is less creative and a lot less beautiful today.”
— Mike ‘The Stoneman’ Stone / Bassist THEE APES
“Damn…that hurts….RIP Sam…”
— Pat Fontaine / XYZ
“Oh no. Praying.”
— Stephen Pearcy /Ratt
“Oh Noooo! I Loved this Amazing Brother!! He was at my crib New Years Eve 2025.. This is really sad news.. Gonna miss you Sammy! You were loved by many of us! Ty for your 30+ yrs of brotherhood we had! My your rest in Paradise Sammy. Fuk this sux!!! Gonna miss you Bro!”
— Marq Torien / BulletBoys
“Awe man. R.I.P. SAM was way cool. Sad.”
— Billy ‘Dior’ McCarthy / D’Molls
“I really liked him! He gave us a shot at the no bozo jams! KA has a great story as to how that came about for the Lypswitch boys from Florida.He was very good to us. I’m sorry to hear this.”
— Danny Whaley / Lypswitch
“Nothing but good things to say… He was very cool, and funny…., and very entertaining.”
— Chris Hazard / Funhouse
“OH NO!!!!!! That breaks my heart!!!”
— Josh Lewis / Original Warrant Guitarist
“There Are Very Few People Like Samm Mann. Outspoken Yet Not Offensive. Samm Will Be Missed And Remembered By The LA Community… Beaver Dracula Forever !”
— Howie Hubberman / Manager – Guitars R’ Us
“A true rockstar, Sam Mann’s memory will continue to ignite passion and energy in all who knew him or knew of him.“
— Doug Starr / Dr. Starr
“Say It ain’t so. One of the nicest people I’ve ever met.”
— Al Bane / Al Bane For Leather
“Farewell, Sam Mann.”
— Jordan ‘JUNKMAN’ West / KNAC
“I’m gonna miss him.”
— Marc Robert Milan Harrison / Happenin’ Harry
“He will be missed. Praying.”
— Mickey Finn / Jetboy
“Oh no, I loved him.”
— John 5 / Motley Crue
“Oh no. I met Sam Mann through our band manager Rich Bartle. Sam was an incredible guy and his band Sam Mann and the Apes were awesome!! RIP Sam! “
— Mike ‘Schneids’ Schneider / Stagger Lee
“You’d always see Samm with his big smile, funny suits and his flip flops. GREAT GUY!”
— Joe LeSte / Bang Tango
“A true legend! All of the Sunset Strip bands would unite at Sam’s shows. He was a pro that we admired and learned from. He and I got to hang out at a party this past Halloween. He spoke about how lucky all of us are to have experienced Hollywood in its hey day. He was so right. I feel so lucky to have spent that evening with him. In these circles your name will never be forgotten… Rest in Peace Sam Mann!”
— Shane Hunter / Pal Joey – Mad Moxie
“Loved that guy.”
– Jim Torgeson / Virgin – Guitars R’ Us
“My cousin literally sent me a screen capture of Samm Mann, Biff Malibu and Lorraine Lewis last week, and he asked, “Is that Samm Mann in the Tuff t-shirt? It was… then 72 hours later I learn of his passing… this sucks writing these posts… we’re all going to miss you Mr. Mann.”
— Stevie Rachelle / Tuff
“Oh no! I used to be such good friends with him in the ’80s! We used to dance movies together as background extras!”
— Sally Steele / Vegas Rocks! Magazine
“So sorry to hear about our dear friend Sam Mann. He is up in the heavenly skies smiling down on us. Such a great human being. Live on Beaver Dracula!”
— Kenny Pierce / Taz
“Mr. Master of Ceremonies.”
— Dave Tedder / Publicist
Johnny of The Wild, Samm Mann and Adam Gifford of Paradise – Photo courtesy Gifford
Samm Mann was unique and then-some and more than often the best-dressed guy in the room… often showing up at a dirty rock club in a 3-piece suit or dinner jacket, yet his mane of rocker hair falling everywhere with a smile and charm that was made for the silver screen.
Mann and his band THEE APES played all the clubs and if he wasn’t playing he was often the evening’s host at pretty much any and every establishment from the world-famous venues to the corner dive-bars.
Mann also had various movie credits over his career including appearances in, “Hard Rock Zombies” (1984), “Roller Blade” (1986), “Roller Blade Warriors: Taken By Force” (1989), “The Roller Blade Seven” (1991) and “Kill Or Be Killed” (1993) among others.
Mann was also featured as one of the hosts in “(Heavy Metal) Thunder And Mud: The THUD Show” (1989) which was Directed by Penelope Spheeris (“Decline Of Western Civilization: Part II The Metal Years” & “Wayne’s World“).
Watch a clip from the “THUD” show below featuring; Samm Mann, Tuff, Jessica Hahn and Nuclear Assault.
Metal Sludge along with the Southern California music community are all remembering you with love and appreciation for your great and fun output and amazing smile.
Mann was 70 years old.
Samm Mann on March 8th 2026 with a friend – Photo: Jeff ‘Biff Malibu’ Coggins
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