FROM A STORM TO A HURRICANE

Rory 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.


The book is available in all good retailers, from the publishers Amberley, and worldwide through Amazon

http://authl.it/5dv    Amazon link

Review by Nerve Magazine

Review by The Merseysider Magazine

I had been extremely fortunate during my research of the book to be able to interview almost every person that I needed to talk with. Ex band members Walter Eymond, Jimmy Tushingham, Vince Earl, Karl Terry, Gibson Kemp, and Dave May, all provided valuable input, as did the bands former roadie Dave Jamieson. Family of the guys were an incredible help along with many Mersey Beat musicians. Then, there was Rory Storm's sister, Iris Caldwell, who gave me access to a lot of personal details about her brother. Myself and Iris became good friends, and that friendship continues to grow. She is a remarkable lady who has supported me every step of the way...and more. Walter Eymond was able to confirm a lot of what history tells us as well as setting the record straight on a number of the wrongly written stories. 


Sean Styles invited me back on his radio Merseyside show for an interview in regards to the book. I also had the honour to be interviewed alongside Iris Caldwell on the Helen Jones show for radio Merseyside. The following day, 26 June 2016, saw the launch of the book signing and Hurricanes celebration day at the Lathom Hall.

Review by the Canadian Spill Magazine

It was a wonderful event that attracted a large crowd. Ex Hurricanes Walter Eymond, Vince Earl, and Jimmy Tushingham were present, as were a number of Mersey Beat stars. Iris Caldwell and Dave 'Jamo' Jamieson gave speeches, before Vince Earl had everyone laughing with his stories about Rory Storm. The three ex Hurricanes then took to the stage to give us the first performance from the band in 49 years. The book sold very well and fans were busy getting everyone to sign their copies and pose for photographs. 


My good friend, Mark Ashworth, was present on the day and recorded it all on his popular blog page. Click on the link above and enjoy.

Myself and Joe Flannery during a book signing event at the Penny Lane Development Trust

The documentary made by WFDU Radio in New Jersey, USA. 

I was rather pleased that I managed to get the Hurricanes songs played on radio stations in Texas, Vancouver, Hamburg, Marbella, Amsterdam, and of course, Liverpool. Keep spreading the word and let's get them played all over. I was also interviewed by Norwegian and German TV stations in Liverpool during Beatles Week 2016, though I have never seen the outcome.

My friends came together to make the above documentary about the Hurricanes connection to the Old Swan area of Liverpool. My Italian buddies, the Lo Giudice family, walked around the area with me along with Stevie T of 'Mop Top Tours'. I just love what they produced. 

Vintage Rock Magazine contacted me and asked if I would consider allowing them to feature the story of the Hurricanes and the book in an edition of their publication. I agreed, and they did interviews with me and Rory Storm's sister Iris. I was stunned when they told me that they liked the story so much that they were giving me a 6-page special in their September/October issue of 2016. I remain very proud of this achievement. 

Christopher Huston: Lead guitarist with the Mersey Beat band The Undertakers, engineer and producer to the stars. Seen here enjoying reading about his old pals.

"Outstanding' story - a reflection on the interesting life of Rory in Anthony's unputdownable book"


Vintage Rock Magazine

"This book is as near as you will ever get to exactly how it was on Merseyside in those Golden Years of Rock and Roll."


      Ted 'Kingsize' Taylor

"Everyone in the world's written about the Beatles .. Obviously, it's a good moneyspinner. Anthony Hogan's book is a labour of love, a unique insight into the beginnings of the Mersey Beat phenomenon - about another group who were there, and so happened to be fronted by my brother"


             Iris Caldwell