They began as the Orbits in Toledo in 1957. Led by saxophonist Johnny Paris (born John Matthew Pocisk in Walbridge, Ohio, 29 August 1940 - 1 May 2006, Ann Arbor, Michigan), they were school friends who played on a few recordings behind Mack Vickery, a local rockabilly singer.
They signed with Harry Balk and Irving Micahnik of Twirl Records, which led to national engagements in 1959. Johnny and the Hurricanes recorded "Crossfire" in a vacant cinema to provide echo. It became a nationwide U.S. hit, and ranked No. 23 in the U.S. chart in the summer of 1959.
Johnny and the Hurricanes followed with "Red River Rock", an instrumental version of "Red River Valley", on Warwick Records, that became a top ten hit on both sides of the Atlantic (No. 5 in the U.S., No. 3 in the UK), and sold over a million copies. The musicians in the band then were Paris on saxophone, Paul Tesluk on a Hammond Chord organ, Dave Yorko on guitar, Lionel "Butch" Mattice on bass, and Bill "Little Bo" Savich on drums.
They specialised in versions of old tunes with a rock and roll beat. They chose these songs because they were well recognized and easier to accept with the beat. Tunes were credited to 'King, Mack' and usually one other name: King and Mack were in fact pseudonyms for Harry Balk and Irving Micahnik, the band's managers. In 1960, they recorded the United States Army bugle call, "Reveille", as "Reveille Rock", and turned "Blue Tail Fly" into "Beatnik Fly". Both tunes made the Top 40 achieving number 15 and 25 respectively. The band also recorded "Down Yonder" for Big Top Records. In the same year, they recorded "When The Saints Go Marching In" as "Revival", but it ranked in the charts for just one week, peaking at No. 97. The record was flipped over in the UK, where "Rocking Goose" reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart.
The band developed a following in Europe. In 1962, they played at the Star-Club in Hamburg, where the Beatles, then a little-known band, served as an opening act. Johnny and the Hurricanes cut records until 1987, with "Old Smokie" (their cover of "On Top of Old Smokey"), and an original tune, "Traffic Jam", both on Big Top Records, being their last releases to chart in America. Johnny Paris, the only constant member of the band, continued to tour with his Hurricanes in Europe and the United States until his death. He had an uncle, a realtor, in Rossford, Ohio, Johnny's home town, who owned a building on the main street and offered Johnny's first wife, Sharon Venier-Pocisk, space for an antique shop. When not on the road he helped out with the antique shop and vending machine business as payment for the store front for his first wife.
Johnny Paris and his band toured Europe occasionally until the end of 2005. He died on 1 May 2006 at the University Clinic of Ann Arbor, Michigan, of hospital-borne infections after an operation. Paris's second wife and widow, the German journalist, novelist and vocalist Sonja Verena (Reuter) Paris, took over his business (Atila Records, Sirius 1 Music and Johnny and the Hurricanes Incorporated) and the rights to his songs and trademarks. Paris claimed that over 300 musicians played in the band in its fifty-year existence.
The band inspired the song "Johnny and the Hurricanes" on the album How I Learned to Love the Bootboys, by the band the Auteurs. They were also namechecked in the Kinks' 1973 song "One of the Survivors", and in "Bridge in Time" on the 1990 Burton Cummings album Plus Signs.
Drummer Bill "Little Bo" Savich died on 4 January 2002. Bassist Lionel "Butch" Mattice died on October 16, 2006. Guitarist David Yorko died on 17 February 2017 at the age of 73.
Ja Da
Johnny & The Hurricanes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything from opera down to harmony
But I've a little song that I will sing to you
It's gonna win you through and through
There ain't much to the words but the music is grand
And you'll be a-singing it to beat the band
You've heard of the tisket and tasket it's true
But give a little listen to this will you?
Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
Jing, Jing, Jing
Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
Jing, Jing, Jing
That's a funny little bit of melody
It's so soothing and appealing to me
It goes Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
Jing, Jing, Jing
Our bands have been digging back for tunes to be sung
Operas and nursery rhymes have been overdone
I dug a little deeper and I found this thing
It's ragtime but it still can swing
It ain't a turkeytrot or a shimmey onestep
But when grandma danced to it
She thought she was hep
It still is a ditty
I'm sure you will find
Will keep a runnin' 'round and around your mind
Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
Jing, Jing, Jing
Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
Jing, Jing, Jing
That's a funny little bit of melody
It's so soothing and appealing to me
It goes Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
Jing, Jing, Jing
The lyrics of Johnny & The Hurricanes's song Ja Da reflect the importance of music in our daily lives. While the song acknowledges that there are numerous styles of music, ranging from opera to harmony, it proposes that sometimes the simplest tunes can have the most grandeur. The song describes a little melody that the singer wants to share with the audience. It doesn't contain profound lyrics, but the music is grand, and it's going to win listeners over. The song's catchy melody goes "Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Jing, Jing, Jing," and the singer believes it's a humorous, appealing melody that can soothe and uplift listeners. The song compares Ja-Da to other popular songs like Tisket and Tasket, stating that it may not be a turkey-trot or a shimmey one-step, but it still has the power to keep running around your mind.
The song speaks to the power of music, something that is oftentimes underestimated. Music has the ability to uplift, motivate, soothe, and even heal, and this message is reflected in Ja Da. The song's melody is simple and catchy, providing evidence that you don't need a complex tune to create a compelling song. Ultimately, Johnny & The Hurricanes's Ja Da is a reminder to appreciate the simpler things in life, as they can bring us as much joy as the more complicated things.
Line by Line Meaning
You've heard all about your raggy melody
You've been exposed to a variety of music genres from classical to modern.
Everything from opera down to harmony
This includes all types of musical works from complex operas to simpler pieces of harmony.
But I've a little song that I will sing to you
However, I have a small tune that I would like to perform for you.
It's gonna win you through and through
This melody will win your heart over completely and sway you to its rhythm.
There ain't much to the words but the music is grand
The lyrics are simple, but the tune itself is amazing and well composed.
And you'll be a-singing it to beat the band
You'll enjoy this tune so much that you'll continue singing it loudly while everyone else plays along.
You've heard of the tisket and tasket it's true
You may be familiar with the traditional nursery rhyme Tisket, Tasket.
But give a little listen to this will you?
However, take a moment to listen to this unique and interesting melody.
Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
The chorus of the song repeats the main riff several times saying Ja-Da over and over again.
Jing, Jing, Jing
The sound of the music is accentuated by the use of jingles.
That's a funny little bit of melody
This is a comical and amusing tune.
It's so soothing and appealing to me
Despite its humor, the song is actually very calming and enjoyable for me to listen to.
It goes Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
The chorus repeats the tune several times, again saying Ja-Da over and over again.
Our bands have been digging back for tunes to be sung
Musicians and bands have been searching for older melodies to perform.
Operas and nursery rhymes have been overdone
However, popular operas and traditional nursery rhymes have been performed too much and are no longer unique or interesting.
I dug a little deeper and I found this thing
But I personally found this wonderful piece after searching a bit more intently.
It's ragtime but it still can swing
The song is a type of upbeat ragtime music but it still flows and is catchy.
It ain't a turkeytrot or a shimmey onestep
This song is not a quick dance like the Turkey Trot or the Shimmy One-Step.
But when grandma danced to it
She thought she was hep
Despite its unique style, even the older generation could appreciate it and think it was cool.
It still is a ditty
I'm sure you will find
This tune is still considered a simple and catchy tune that you'll certainly enjoy.
Will keep a runnin' 'round and around your mind
The song is so catchy that it will keep replaying in your mind over and over again.
Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
The chorus repeats the main riff of the song and says Ja-Da over and over again.
Jing, Jing, Jing
The song includes small jingles that add to its unique sound.
That's a funny little bit of melody
The song is a comical and amusing tune.
It's so soothing and appealing to me
Despite its humor, the song is actually very calming and enjoyable for me to listen to.
It goes Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
The chorus repeats the tune several times, again saying Ja-Da over and over again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB CARLETON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wayne Smith
When I think current music is becoming ridiculous I go back and listen to this stuff and once again my head is facing the right way....
MarkinDC
THANKS for posting these. I picked up some of their LP's back in the 80's. These guys were pioneers of instrumental rock, which nearly always included organ and sax as part of the sound. Modern surf revival bands often only have guitars......
Rockin Atheist
Nothing like their biggest hit but JaDa remains my favourite J/H record
St Pauli
the wierd part is i loved 60-61 music and it was 68 when i finally got a lot j&h records.this stuff is just way simple and too kool!
Wille R.
Very good music. Thanks.
Marakesh7
Great beat that gets to you.
spib65
Just great Fun music the way it should be: 5*
Martin Carlos
You should play this to anyone whoever polluted and brainwashed by Milleniums Music. I know deep down they feel what has been lost.
no1reallycaresabout2
0:53-0:56 sounds like The Champs' "Tequila".
tony gould
uim trying to find their version of amazing grace