Rock-n-roller Johnny Paris passed away

[John Laughter]

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_arti...?storyid=54038

JOHNNY & THE HURRICANES

Courtesy http://home.wanadoo.nl/rock_and_roll/hurrican.htm

Johnny and the Hurricanes comprised a rock ‘n’ roll group of the late 1950s and early 1960s that had its own unique sound and produced a number of instrumental hits, one of which made the top ten and is closely associated with the group. The group was formed in Toledo, Ohio, in 1958, and was at first known as the Orbits. The original members were saxophonist Johnny Paris (real name: John Pocisk), Paul Tesluk on organ, Tony Kaye on drums, Dave Yorko on guitar, and Lionel “Butch” Mattice on bass. The group started off recording with rockabilly artist Mack Vickery.

They soon went to Detroit to look for work as a back-up band for aspiring recording artists. Two music promoters there, Harry Balk and Irving Micahnik, signed the group to a recording contract of their own. (Micahnik later worked as Del Shannon’s manager.) In 1959 they made their first recording on the Twirl label, which was owned by Balk and Micahnik. It was a dance song that had been written by pianist T. J. Fowler called “Crossfire.” Loaded with reverb, the recording was leased to the Warwick label and reached number 23 on the charts in 1959. Johnny and the Hurricanes were on their way.

The group’s leader was nineteen-year-old Johnny Paris, and his hard-driving saxophone playing was prominent on a number of the group’s recordings. Their next record, however, would feature Tesluk’s Hammond organ and would become the group’s biggest hit ever: “Red River Rock,” a reworking of the old standard “Red River Valley” that the group had transformed into pure rock ‘n’ roll. It was a huge success, reaching number five on the national charts. Don Staczek sat in for regular drummer Tony Kaye on “Red River Rock” and drummer Bo Savich took Kaye’s regular spot in the band late in 1959.

The group continued to use rocking versions of familiar old songs as its formula. The Army bugle call of Reveille became “Reveille Rock.” In 1960, Burl Ives’ “Blue Tail Fly” was turned into “Beatnik Fly” by the group. Both songs made the Top 40. “When The Saints Go Marchin’ In” became “Revival.” Another song that was an original composition by Fowler called “Rockin' Goose” featured Paris’ honking sax. All were instrumentals on the Warwick label.

A lot of the material they had used was out of copyright. Balk and Micahnik claimed credit as having written many of their songs, using the names Tom King and Ira Mack. Johnny and the Hurricanes had a total of nine chart entries from 1959 to 1961. They toured extensively. Eventually, the hits were not coming anymore, there were rumors that they were unhappy with the way the band was managed, and they became fatigued from being on the road so much. The band split up in 1961.

Johnny Paris went to Europe and settled in Hamburg. He played there at the same time as the Beatles, just before the Beatles became international superstars. In 1965 he started his own label which he called Attila, and for which he recorded the album Live At The Star Club. In 1970 he closed Attila. Paris formed a new Hurricanes group and toured in the 1970s and 1980s.

[Dentarthurdent]

That's sad. I've only recently been getting into 50s R'n'R sax and appreciating how great some of those guys were.

[John Laughter]

http://www.history-of-rock.com/johnn...hurricanes.htm

[Dave dix]

That's very sad to hear about Johnny dying. I had the pleasure of working with John a few years ago in the UK and played the sax as he was on keyboards. He was a wonderful guy and great to work with.
I think i will do a medley of his hits on my gigs this weekend just for the memories
Dave

[Dave dix]

John, wouldn't it be better to put this in 'in memory of' section?
Dave

[Bill Mecca]

I'll copy it over there. hold on

[John Laughter]

Sorry Dave. You are correct.

[Verena]

The new Johnny and the Hurricanes and Johnny Paris site is up and running at
http://www.johnnyandthehurricanes.com

with a lot of new information.

[rabbit]

Verena,

Welcome & thank you, excellent first post.

[Duane Thomas]

As Adminstrative contact for www.johnnyandthehurricanes.com, and former Hurricanes's Lead Guitarist, I'd like to welcome all to visit the website. All comments and questions are welcome and appreciated. We'll do our best to answer all.
Johnny's passing has saddened his widow, myself and fans around the world. A detailed release of the past few months will follow in several days here at Sax on the Web.
Thank you all so much for the out-pouring of support to us. Feel free to contact me at anytime, and check back here for additional postings soon.
Yours in Music, Duane Thomas, Lead Guitar/Johnny and The Hurricanes
hurricane.duane@atilarecords.com & c/o www.johnnyandthehurricanes.com

[Duane Thomas]

Additionally, some unseen Hurricanes' photos at myspace.com/duanethomasmagic
Duane Thomas www.johnnyandthehurricanes.com

[Monsigna]

Hi people, my name is ADE (adrian) i live in the UK. Just saying hi to all.

I have been reading this thread, and i would like to pick your brains.

Ive been going through my mothers record collection and recording them to my pc. I have come across this little Jem........

Side 1..... CHILI BEANS (D.YORKO, H.BALK)

Side 2.....CHEETAS UNCLE (D.YORKO,H.BALK)

The band is / was called......DAVE AND THE ORBITS.

This record was a promotional copy NOT for sale....how did my mom come-by this record i wonder?

This is a very special find and the record plays superb!

On the Record label there is a sticker which reads.....

Thanks RON ALEXENBURG Garmisa dist.co.

Can anyone shed any light on this subject?

Kind regards to all

ADE.

you can email me at tazfluff@aol.com



PS. im learning the guitar....lol.....

[Monsigna]

WOW thanks for that, i will investigate further. sorry for hi-jacking the thread.

ade.