From a Storm to a Hurricane: Rory Storm & The HurricanesRory Storm and the Hurricanes were one of the top bands in Liverpool between 1959 and 1962, bigger even than The Beatles. They shared the bill with the Fab Four on many occasions in their home city and in Hamburg, and their first drummer was none other than Richard Starkey – better known as Ringo Starr – who left the Hurricanes to join the Beatles. The Hurricanes were leading lights of the burgeoning 'Mersey Sound' and a pulsating live act, led by their charismatic front man, Rory Storm. Born Alan Caldwell, Rory was a natural performer who wooed crowds with his stage antics, once even diving from a swimming pool high board halfway through a song. But, despite the band’s huge local following, fame somehow passed them by. Frontman Rory suffered from a crippling stammer and, though unaffected while on stage, it seemed to deter record companies. As their fellow Liverpudlians enjoyed huge international success, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes drifted into obscurity, finally ending in tragedy. Anthony Hogan has painstakingly researched the lives and careers of Rory Storm and The Hurricanes in this fascinating and moving account of one of the great untold rock ’n’ roll stories, featuring over 100 photographs, many unseen before in public. |
Contents
Rave Me a Texan | |
The Hurricanes Roar | |
Mates with The Beatles | |
The Year It All Changed | |
Runaway Drummers | |
The Beginning of the | |
Rory Goes It Alone | |
Hurricanes Till This | |
John Byrne Talks | |
Hurricanes Memories | |
Authors Comments Acknowledgements | |
Common terms and phrases
54 Broad Green Alan Caldwell Alan’s asked athletics bass Beat Beatles Billy Fury Bobby Thomson boys Brian Epstein Broad Green Road Butlins called Carl Cavern Cilla Black club Courtesy of Iris Courtesy of Walter crowd dance door drummer drums Ernie friends George George Harrison gigs girls guys Hall Hamburg Hurricanes played Iris Caldwell Jamo Jimmy Tushingham Jive Hive John Lennon Johnny Guitar Johnny’s joined jumped Kaiserkeller Kingsize Taylor knew lads later looked Lou Walters loved Merseybeat Merseyside Morgue never night Oakhill Park Old Swan Paul Paul McCartney perform Pete Pete Best Pwllheli recording remember Ringo Starr Rock Roll Rory and Johnny Rory Storm Rory’s sister Iris sang Shane shouting singer singing Skiffle Skiffle Group song stage stammer StarClub started Street stutter talk telling told took Tower Ballroom Violet walked Walter Eymond wanted watch