Despite changing the name from The Texans, Rory Storm (real name Alan Caldwell) was obviously still fond of the numerous Western series on television.
He decided to call guitarist John Byrne “Johnny Guitar”, after the title of the 1954 Joan Crawford Western.
Ritchie the drummer became “Ringo Starr” (after Belle Starr) and Charles O’Brien was renamed “Ty” after Ty Hardin, star of the Broncoseries. Rory also thought that “Lou Walters” was a more suitable name for bassist Wally Eymond.
The group changed their style from skiffle to rock ‘n’ roll, and the Hurricanes were Alan Williams’ first choice when he went looking for a Liverpool band to send to appear at the Kaiserkeller in Hamburg, Germany, for owner Bruno Kocschmider.
The band also toured American bases in France and appeared at a club in Marbella, Spain, before their third season at Butlin’s in Skegness.
It was during their residency at Skegness that John Lennon and Paul McCartney turned up at the camp and offered Ringo £25 a week if he’d join them.
Storm committed suicide on 27 September 1972. He was only 32.
Rory Storm (Alan Caldwell)
Vocals Johnny Guitar (John Byrne) Rhythm guitar Charles “Ty” O’Brien Lead guitar Lou Walters (Wally Eymond) Bass, vocals Ringo Starr (Ritchie Starkey) Drums
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Ritchie the drummer became “Ringo Starr” (after Belle Starr) and Charles O’Brien was renamed “Ty” after Ty Hardin, star of the Bronco series. Rory also thought that “Lou Walters” was a more suitable name for bassist Wally Eymond.
