Johnny & The Hurricanes
One of the most distinctive instrumental groups of the '50s and '60s, Johnny & the Hurricanes produced the Top Ten hit "Red River Rock" and scored several other instrumental hits that mixed rock & roll with traditional melodies. Originally known as the Orbits, the group formed in Toledo, OH, in 1958 and was led by saxophonist Johnny Paris; other members included organist Paul Tesluk, guitarist Dave Yorko, bassist Lionel "Butch" Mattice, and drummer Tony Kaye. After a stint recording with rockabilly singer Mack Vickery, the group traveled to Detroit, hoping to become a backing band for up-and-coming singers. However, a pair of music promoters, Harry Balk and Irving Michanik, signed them as a group on their own, and they recorded their first single, "Crossfire," for the Twirl label in 1959. "Crossfire" went to number 23 and the group moved to the Warwick imprint for "Red River Rock," a rock & roll instrumental of the standard "Red River Valley" that peaked at number five. The Hurricanes responded to their success with more of the same, delivering "Reveille Rock," "Rockin' Goose," "Revival," and "Beatnik Fly" over the next year, touring extensively all the while. Eventually the pace -- and lack of further hit singles -- caught up with the group, and Johnny & the Hurricanes disbanded in 1965. Paris moved to Hamburg, started his own label, Atila, and in 1970 formed a new Hurricanes lineup that toured until November 2005, two weeks before Paris took ill and was hospitalized. He died on May 1, 2006, due to pneumonia and septic blood after a splenectomy.
© Heather Phares /TiVo
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Presenting Johnny & The Hurricanes
Rock - Released by Universal Digital Enterprises on 28 Jul 1958
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Have You Heard of Johnny & The Hurricanes, Vol. 1
Rock - Released by Supreme Media on 30 Oct 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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We're Listening to Johnny & The Hurricanes, Vol. 3
Rock - Released by Top Tracks on 30 Oct 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Red River Rock
Rock - Released by We Go Home Records on 22 Nov 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Greatest Rock 'N' Roll Hits
Rock - Released by River Roll Records on 24 Jun 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
in2Johnny & The Hurricanes - Volume 1
Rock - Released by Play Digital on 24 Sep 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
This Is Johnny & the Hurricans
Rock - Released by Hurricane Records on 25 Feb 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Reveille Rock (UK Chart Top 20 - No. 14)
World - Released by Music Manager on 19 Dec 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Absolutely Hillbilly, Vol. 3
Rock - Released by Mile End on 5 May 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Hot Fudge
Rock - Released by Firefly Entertainment on 5 May 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Time Bomb
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16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Old Smokie
Rock - Released by Firefly Entertainment on 1 Feb 2013
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Stormsville (Original Album plus Bonus Track - 1960)
Pop - Released by Rock&Roll Classics on 1 Jan 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo