'His name was Rory and the music was his story'

[@davidrolfe9571]

Saw Rory Storm and the Hurricanes in 1961 when they did a season in Butlins Pwllheli. They had a "Ringo Starr time" spot everynight and also ran a nightly competition with the final at the end of week. Unfortunately the `old folks` Dance band took over for the final - about a hundred of us teenagers walked out. Ringo stuck in my mind, if only because he was regularly chucked in the swimming pool during the day, so recognised him instantly when I heard the Beatles line up.

[@Katzzze]

Why was Ringo thrown into the pool? It was like, a joke, or he liked to swim? I didn't really understand the comment, sorry, but I'm really interested!

[@BorderRebels]

Thanks for this film, it really took me back! I first met Alan Caldwell/Rory Storm when he flagged down my pal Gordon Robinson & I to get a lift to a garage, his car (I think it was a Sunbeam Rapier) was out of petrol. I met him many times after that, he used to come into a music equipment shop I worked at to get amps serviced, try new stuff out & so on & we often got chatting. He was a really nice bloke, we had interests in music, cars & athletics in common & he suggested I join his local harriers - I'd have loved to, but I lived across the river & it was too far away. I moved away from Merseyside in 1968 and was really depressed when I heard about Rory & his Mother's deaths in the early '70s. Most of the recordings don't do him or the Hurricanes justice; remember, signed bands like the Beatles recorded at top studios like Abbey Road on the world's best equipment, so comparisons between the two aren't like for like. Rory & the Hurricanes were a hell of a good live band & Rory was one of the best frontmen anywhere in his time. R.I.P.

[@sandromay87]

I don't know if there is a big documentary, movie or series about Liverpool in this period, probably not, but there should be, because that was one of most powerfull and disruptive cultural movement in history, something like - but much more greater - the grunge in late 1980's, or the jazz in early 1920's. It was not only Beatles, there was a lot of rock'n roll and skiffle bands in a very exciting local scenario that would get all the world right few years later, changing the pop culture forever. I'd love to watch an imersive superproduction about it.

[@ajkaye5719]

Admittedly, that would be epic. 😮 if only!

Awesome prehistory about Richard Starkey and the story of "From a Storm to a Hurricane, and Rory!" I'm of this age and was there at the very early beginnings of the Beatles. Thank you for this!! Very cool video!!

[@ajkaye5719]

Having lived in old swan for my whole life (36 years) I had no idea they played in these places. Old Swan itself must be less than a mile in area can be walked through in less than a few minutes.. Iv obviously been to all these places, and great to know these local legends so close to home. ❤ This short lived club mentioned "The morgue" is just 2 minutes down the road from another well known club of beatles beginnings The casbah.

[@1952PhilB]

We lived just around the corner from Rory, and know all the places mentioned in the film. I was too young to be involved in the scene then, but I knew Rory from when he used to cut my hair at the Oakhill Road Barber's. Rory was a lovely bloke, and we looked up to him. Thanks for this lovely film, and I totally recommend Anthony's book, which is great.

[@moptoptourstv9316]

Thank you for sharing Phil - and we're delighted you enjoyed our humble efforts in our dedication to Rory and his Hurricanes

[@regvarnie]

Fabulous job!! History is about far more than just the winners/ those who become the most well-known......

[@AnthonyMinsky]

Wow! Many pictures I’ve never seen before

[@FussellFilms23]

A great story well told, thank you.

[@clarkewi]

Love it.

[@paulgibby6932]

Thanks. This was really great. Just learning about this history. What a great music scene evolved in Liverpool (and Hamburg it seems). Crazy to see young Ringo playing with the Hurricanes. Rory clearly had a great voice and personality. Loved those short tunes, so tight. Thanks again.

[@zenmeister451]

Handsome fellow!

[@petercliff4023]

Brillaint video, amazing locations around "The Swan" that most people wouldn't know about. Just a pity there's no interview with his sister Iris.. bet she could tell some stoies.

[@stickshiftdriver1832]

Ringo had a dynamic witty personality even back with the Hurricanes

[@tomhaskett5161]

He was a good film actor, as well.

[@magpie6648]

well done guys.. lovely look at the group..

[@barrymccreary9565]

Love these stories

[@kavousniamir2375]

After watching this, I can tell with confidence that leaving Rory was the best decision Ringo ever made😊

[@Peter7966]

Ya think? Me thinks it was a great decision for John, Paul and George too.

[@thekitowl]

Ringo was leaving Rory whatever. He’d agreed to join Kingsize Taylor when the call came to join the fabs.

[@rdrrr]

The Hurricanes went to Hamburg just like the Beatles did - played for hours on end night after night just like the Beatles did - but when they returned to Liverpool the Beatles were the sharper band. Interesting.

[@oldskoolfool141]

If I could transport anywhere at any time it would be Liverpool in the late 50s, life would be rough but the musical buzz of the place to this day remains palpable and the legacy speaks for itself, as for Rory he was a decade too late in many regards, he was perfect for the times of Johnny Ray, Leighton, Faith etc. we're still talking about him tho so he has his place even if he'd never live to see it, thanks for the upload, very interesting

[@GergelAni]

Rory's sister - Iris (I believe I'm not mistaken the name) was one of the first of the hundreds "steady" girlfriends of Paul's. His steady relationships at the time lasted no more than a week each 😉 . Rory's mum was one of the first that Paul played "Yesterday" to. On the phone!! 👐

[@Mikevdog]

Best band of all time. Bar none.

[@johnvanstone5336]

Briliiant track to start with, a favour mine !

[@Crazydash46]

Rory Looks like a Guy from the 2000’s

[@robertfass9681]

In one of these pictures it looks like Ringo playing the guitar.

[@toddgoes7935]

He was just holding a guitar for a picture. He never played the guitar professionally.

[@MeneerHerculePoirot]

Ringo plays guitar and keys. He's actually a fairly decent boogie-woogie pounder. Everybody had their Jerry Lee Lewis moment in those days.

[@diffbreak2366]

The drum rolls are signature Ringo.

[@kromedome0101]

I assume you're kidding, Ringo's not on these recordings.

[@maureendevries1904]

Definitely

[@pinksax]

Ringo never recorded with Rory.

[@stevescott8060]

Cool, nicely done, and now, Let's Rock!

[@barbaraferron7994]

I found this confusing as to who was who and when, even after I went back over the transcript. Who was Laurie? And how did he and Alan die? And why didn't they get famous if they were better than the Beatles? Was Ringo a lucky charm ?LOL.

[@thekitowl]

The Hurricane’s were established before the Beatles so they probably were a better band than the Quarry men . After a couple of trips to Hamburg the Beatles were an entirely different outfit & continued to excel whereas Rory’s act stayed the same & soon became passé. Poor Rory had a terrible stammer that disappeared when he sang which would definitely have held him back in the business. The Big Three were supposed to be one of best live Bands at the time & success also eluded them .

[@cuebj]

Lots of bands better than The Beatles went to Hamburg. Only the Beatles transformed from kids having fun with a hobby into something very different. Maybe, if The Beatles had been better when they went, they wouldn't have transformed so dramatically

[@thomasfoster1899]

Wat. An era tops to all the mersey bands

[@WilliamVanaman]

May be the only one here that enjoyed Rory’s vocals. Band had an interesting sound, but from what I’ve heard so far, the songwriting was unremarkable.

[@MrAschiff]

Looks like Roger Daltrey

[@johnburns1902]

Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. Rory who died over a half century ago is only world famous as the band that Ringo Starr played in before the Beatles took him away.

[@garypedigogaeu5787]

The Rory character was amazing. He should have made it big time. FANTASY: Imagine if the Stones had him instead of Mick Jagger. I know most people won’t agree because they’re used to Mick but if this was the original line up and you auditioned Mick as a replacement it would be “hell no”. Couldn’t really sing and was a spastic dancer and ugly too.

[@markwilesmith5599]

Interesting theory Gary. Rory certainly had some chops. A great vocalist and enigmatic frontman. Such a shame he never had global success.

[@stickshiftdriver1832]

Mick Jagger had a daring rogue personality which added to the Stones persona and rebellious flare.

[@soarornor]

@@stickshiftdriver1832 Plus he was an amazing singer. Try doing a cover of 19th Nervous Breakdown and see for yourself. Mick brought some extraordinary vocal chops to the band. There’s a reason there were so many Jagger type vocalists in the ‘60’s.

[@juliatutor8099]

Mick has always been a limited singer, but could carry a tune.....Unfortunately, Rory couldn't ( hence their lack of fame outside of Liverpool).....

[@daijones101]

Very nice. Contemporaries of the fab four. Just goes to show you doesn't it. The Beatles were special

[@johnburns1902]

They were way beyond special.

[@thomasfoster1899]

Sat in skelm arms with ringo 1960 didnt buy me pint ,ha

[@npc3po301]

Can anyone name the model of Johnnys guitar?

[@graemehardaker1125]

Guyatone..

[@npc3po301]

@@graemehardaker1125 Thankyou Graeme, it was a lazy Q really, I did find it pretty soon after I'd asked, quirky lil' thing eh? ta for the response tho

[@johnburns1902]

Rickenbacker

[@bobbybrooks4826]

Sounds like a stones Song

[@ThomasDeLello]

So... why didn't Pete Best take on with The Hurricanes...?

[@thekitowl]

Probably because Brian had to find Pete work & the Hurricane’s were still away at Butlins for their summer season.

[@pinksax]

They were not Good enough, sadly.

[@finjay21fj]

Before seeing this, I wondered why he never took off to stardom as others did which he and band deserved? 🤔🧐 I still wonder right now (/-_•)\ Too rock n roll, not Mersey beat enough? LIke Pete Best? 🤔

[@thekitowl]

Unfortunately Rory spoke with a bad stutter, which probably put stardom out of reach. With the stage antics they were more cabaret than Merseybeat.

[@brianmarcus6005]

Rory had a terrible voice. Ringo leaving to join the Beatles was a gift for humanity.

[@PC4USE1]

Rory was ok in these recordings but he could not stay in key.That made his voice less than ideal. Ringo is a better singer in his own range,he can stay on key.

[@LeveretteJamesClifford1955]

Its hurricane season again.

[@royjudson4380]

Musically they had a lot of potential but were let down by the vocals.

[@joehinojosa24]

Hmmm. I thought That drummer LOOKED FAMILIAR.

[@flankerroad7414]

Singing's not so good. In the mad rush for Mersyside talent following The Beatles breakthrough, the Hurricanes were not given any serious consideration.

[@keithrandall1492]

Not so good? It's dreadful...

[@adrinathegreat3095]

10.49 approx, the woman in the wedding dress looks very much like the one in the cavern club flim of the Beatles when they're performing some other guy

[@jfktoffee1878]

Looks like a good looking version of Anthony Gordon...😂

[@jameshold668]

Ringo drumming is much better here than with the beatles.

[@pinksax]

Not Ringo

[@bradentonguy5010]

No way that is Ringo on “Beautiful Dreamer.” I don’t care what anybody says. The guy playing drums on that tune is playing better than Ringo EVER did.

[@jason-qj9pu]

He sings much better than his band plays. Ditch the band He needs a much better band

[@erikb835]

His vocals are not the best No wonder they make it big 😂

[@joeyburrell3207]

I’m sorry this guy sounds terrible no matter the music. 🫤. But Ringo was a different story of course. He always had that distinctive style. He was just what the doctor ordered for the Beatles. It was like a can’t miss for sure when he joined the other 3 lads.