Formed by ex-SAMSON mainman PAUL SAMSON, the original incarnation of EMPIRE featured ex-EMERSON singer Sam Blewitt, although he was to suddenly leave the band prior to their first gig and, as coincidence would have it, was replaced by Mick White, who had previously replaced Blewitt in EMERSON. Blewitt changed his surname to Blue and became vocalist for YA YA.

EMPIRE's line-up was rounded out by ex-TANK and DUMPY's RUSTY NUTS drummer Mark Brabbs, former URCHIN and 720 guitarist Dave Colwell and former ANGEL WITCH and TYTAN bassist Kevin 'Skids' Riddles. Using a few old connections, EMPIRE supported IRON MAIDEN on their 1986 British tour and Dave Colwell wrote the track 'Reach Out' which was used as a B-side of the IRON MAIDEN single 'Wasted Years'.

Following the break up of the group, who would only ever record the 'Live At The Marquee' set of 1987 vintage, Paul Samson reformed SAMSON and Dave Colwell later joined BAD COMPANY. Blewitt, as Sam Blue, later fronted ULTRAVOX and appears as guest vocalist on TEN guitarist Vinny Burn's 1999 solo album 'The Journey'.