Sam "Sluggo" Phipps is an American saxophone player, best known for being a member of the new wave band Oingo Boingo. Sam Phipps was born in Los Angeles, California. He played piano and trombone from an early age, but an interest in surf rock lead him to begin playing saxophone at age 15. Between 1971 and 1972, Phipps attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. Prior to the formation of Oingo Boingo, Phipps met future members Danny Elfman and Leon Schneiderman while they were friends of his s ...