Johnny and the Hurricanes were an American instrumental rock and roll band … Read Full Bio ↴Johnny and the Hurricanes were an American instrumental rock and roll band from Toledo, Ohio, that had a number of hits, especially in the UK, in the 1950s and early 1960s.

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.

Salvation
Johnny & The Hurricanes Lyrics

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Her face is like an angel's face
I know you've never even known the truth
But you can get your own grace
'Cause she's right personation of youth
Long hair dominates her lines
She's the best symbol of the west
Her acts are perfection signs
So don't wait, bring her your best

She's the girl of your dreams
Now, you're dreaming
She often screams
During a sinking
Now you know...
Blue eyes
Soft lips
She spies
On a trips
Long hair
She sleeps
Fresh air
In a sleeves
It's been harder times
You was nearly torned apart
Then she came and she overshines
It's gonna be good start
She wears a sunglasses
And in the armpit, a skate
You had so many choices
But you chose her, and it wasn't late
She's the girl of your dreams
Now, you're dreaming
She often screams
During a sinking
Now you know...
Blue eyes
Soft lips
She spies
On a trips
Long hair
She sleeps
Fresh air
In a sleeves
Now you know...
Blue eyes
Soft lips
She spies
On a trips
Long hair
She sleeps
Fresh air
In a sleeves
Blue eyes
Soft lips
She spies
On a trips
Long hair
She sleeps
Fresh air

In a sleeves
Now you know...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Salvation" by Johnny & The Hurricanes is a tribute to a girl who represents everything that is beautiful, perfect, and serene in the world. The song describes her as having an angelic face, whose youth and beauty are unparalleled. He urges the listener to bring their best for her since she is the girl of their dreams. Her perfection is evident in everything she does; from her long hair to her soft lips, her blue eyes to her fresh air, everything about her is a symbol of the west, representing freedom and wholesomeness.

The song talks about how the girl has saved the singer from a difficult time in his life. She came into his life when he was nearly torn apart and brought light into it, giving him hope for a good start. She wears sunglasses and a skate in her armpit, representing her carefree and fun-loving spirit. The lyrics suggest that the girl is not without her own struggles, as she often screams during a sinking. Nevertheless, the singer sees her as a spy on trips, a sleeper in fresh air, and someone who is always wrapped in sleeves.

Overall, the lyrics of "Salvation" by Johnny & The Hurricanes celebrates the beauty, perfection, and hope that a special woman can bring into someone's life. The song expresses gratitude for the girl's impact and celebrates her virtues.

SalvationJohnny & The Hurricanes Lyrics

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Salvation
Johnny & The Hurricanes Lyrics