1) The Escorts were formed by Reginald Haynes in 1968, and originated their smooth vocal sound within the walls of New Jersey's infamous Rahway State Prison. After many failed attempts to allow them to perform on stage, they were finally given the green light. Two years later they were performing on stage at the infamous Rahway State Prison as prison officials, prison guards, visitors and hardcore inmates cheered, stomped, clapped. Little did they know that the late, great Linda Jones (Hypnotized), sister to one of their fellow inmates, was sitting in the audience accompanied by her producer/manager, George Kerr. Kerr, who was a veteran from the stable of Barry Gordy, Jr. and the early motown days, was in his own words" shocked and amazed to find this type of raw, pulsating talent in prison." After the show George Kerr approached Reginald and told him that he thought The Escorts were stupendous. Then he said something that would change Reginald's life forever and earn them both permanent residence in world history. Kerr said "I want to do something that's never been done in the history of the entertainment world. I want to record The Escorts here in Rahway State Prison". Reginald was elated at the prospect of turning professional and so their journey into the entertainment history books began.
The first live concert of The Escorts outside prison walls at Symphony Hall in Newark, NJ on February 17, 1973 created a sensation and two LPs were produced for Alithea Records during this era while some members were still incarcerated: All We Need Is Another Chance, followed by 3 Down 4 To Go. The latter title refers to the fact that three members had been released since the prison's singing group was formed, while the others continue serving their sentences.
2) The Escorts were a Merseybeat band from Liverpool, England. In 1963, they were voted the ninth most popular group in Liverpool by readers of Mersey Beat magazine.
They originally consisted of:
Terry Sylvester - guitar/lead vocals (born Terence Sylvester, 8 January 1946, Liverpool)
John Kinrade - lead guitar/vocals (born 1946)
Mike Gregory - bass guitar/vocals (born Michael Gregory, 7 November 1946, Liverpool)
Pete Clarke - drums (born Peter Gaskell, 1946) replaced by Kenny Goodlass from The Kirkbys; replaced by Pete Clark; replaced by Tommy Kelly of Earl Preston's Realms; replaced by Paul Comerford of The Cryin' Shames.
Sylvester was replaced by Frank Townsend from The Easybeats (1962 - 65) and the Beachwoods, who was later to become a member of Tony Rivers and the Castaways. Paddy Chambers (ex-Faron's Flamingos and The Big Three) subsequently replaced Townsend. Sylvester left to join The Swinging Blue Jeans in 1966, before replacing Graham Nash in The Hollies. He now lives in Florida and travels all over the United States and Canada playing concerts with such as Billy J. Kramer, Peter Noone, Joey Molland and other British Invasion acts. Sylvester also does a one man show.
Paul McCartney played tambourine on their last record "From Head To Toe" in 1966.
Gregory would also leave The Escorts in 1967 to join The Swinging Blue Jeans, and stayed until 1971, whereupon after leaving and doing sessions for a couple of years, he formed a group with Johnny Goodison of the original Brotherhood of Man called Big John's Rock 'n' Roll Circus in 1975. Gregory stayed in 'The Circus' until its demise in 2005, and is now a solo artist.
Kinrade stopped playing after The Escorts split up in 1967, and is now a hairdresser with two salons. Clarke became the in house session drummer for Apple Music. He did sessions for Kiki Dee and Billy Preston and, after a brief stint in Badfinger, is now living in the US
Although they never released a full album, during their short time together, at the instigation of Elvis Costello, Edsel Records released an LP containing all twelve songs from the six singles in 1983. It was released on CD in 1995 as EDCD 422 and entitled From the Blue Angel, as a reference to the club where they began performing in 1962. Costello also released a single which was a cover of The Escorts last recording - "From Head To Toe" / "Night Time".
3) The Escorts - Brisbane pop band from 1967
Gonna Ride This Whirlwind
The Escorts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna ride this storm
Don't try to tell me baby
It can't be done
I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I'm gonna ride this storm
Don't try to tell me baby
Girl don't you refuse me
Don't tell me to go away
Don't think you can lose me
I'm in this one to stay
Baby stop your crying
Don't blackmail me with tears
This time time I'm not lying
Giddy up your fear
And I wanna say
I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I'm gonna ride this storm
Don't try to tell me baby
It can't be done
Uh I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I'm gonna ride this storm
Don't try to tell me baby
It can't be done
I'm ready to face the devil
I'm ready to fight him now
I'll ride this night till daylight
And back to you somehow
I'm ready for the battle
I'm ready to take what's mine
And you don't need to worry
Everything is gonna be fine fine fine fine
I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I'm gonna ride this storm
Don't try to tell me baby
It can't be done
Hey hey
I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I'm gonna ride this storm
Don't try to tell me baby
It can't be done
Girl the things you've told me
Because you are afraid
Aww none of that can hold me
'Cause I know I've got it made
Baby I want to tell you
'Cause I've got the will to win
I know what I must do
And now it's time to begin
And I wanna say
I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I'm gonna ride this storm
You can't tell me now baby
That it can't be done
Listen to me
I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I'm gonna ride this ride this storm
You can't tell me now now
It can't be done
I'm ready to face the devil
I'm ready to fight him now
I'll ride night till daylight
And back to you somehow
I'm ready for the battle
I'm ready to take what's mine
And you don't need to worry
Everything's gonna be fine fine fine fine
I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I'm gonna ride this storm
Don't try and tell me hey
That it can't be done
Well well
Won't you watch me ride
I'm gonna ride this storm ride this storm
You can't tell me
That it can't be done
Oh
I'm gonna ride
I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I'm gonna ride this storm ride this storm
You can't tell me nah nah
That it can't be done
I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I'm gonna ride this storm
Don't try to tell me baby
It can't be done
I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I'm gonna ride this storm
Don't try to tell me baby
It can't be done
Gonna ride
Gonna ride this storm
Gonna ride
Gonna ride
I'm gon' ride on back to you honey
I've got to ride
Watch me ride
Gonna ride
Gonna ride
I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I'm gonna ride this storm
Don't try to tell me baby
It can't be done
I'm gonna ride
Gonna ride
I'm gonna ride
Gonna ride
I'm gonna ride
Gonna ride
Gonna ride
Gonna ride
Gonna ride
Gonna ride
The lyrics to The Escorts' "Whirlwind" are about determination, perseverance, and staying strong in the face of difficulties. The singer is resolute in his decision to "ride this whirlwind" and "ride this storm" no matter what obstacles come his way. He encourages his love interest not to be afraid and not to hold him back, assuring her that he has the will to win and everything will be fine in the end. He is ready to face any challenges and fight for what is his, even if it means battling the devil himself. The song's driving rhythm and repetition of the chorus emphasize the singer's resolve to succeed and overcome any challenges.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a metaphor for overcoming any difficulties or obstacles in life, whether they be personal or external. The determination and resilience of the singer can inspire listeners to stay steadfast in the face of adversity and not give up on their goals and dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna ride this whirlwind
I am determined to face this challenge head-on and persevere through it
I'm gonna ride this storm
I will not be deterred by obstacles or hardships that come my way
Don't try to tell me baby
It can't be done
I am confident in my abilities to overcome any challenge and will not let anyone discourage me
Girl don't you refuse me
Don't tell me to go away
Don't think you can lose me
I'm in this one to stay
I am committed to facing this challenge with you, and refuse to be pushed away or give up
Baby stop your crying
Don't blackmail me with tears
This time I'm not lying
Giddy up your fear
I will not be swayed or manipulated by emotions and am determined to face this challenge with courage and determination
I'm ready to face the devil
I'm ready to fight him now
I'll ride this night till daylight
And back to you somehow
I am fully prepared to face any obstacle, no matter how difficult, and will persevere until I have succeeded
I'm ready for the battle
I'm ready to take what's mine
And you don't need to worry
Everything is gonna be fine fine fine fine
I am confident that I will overcome this challenge and will not let anyone or anything get in my way
Girl the things you've told me
Because you are afraid
Aww none of that can hold me
'Cause I know I've got it made
I will not let your fears or doubts stop me from facing this challenge, I am confident in my capabilities to succeed
Baby I want to tell you
'Cause I've got the will to win
I know what I must do
And now it's time to begin
I am determined to succeed and know exactly what steps I need to take in order to overcome this challenge
You can't tell me now baby
That it can't be done
I am determined to persevere and will not let anyone discourage me from pursuing my goals
Won't you watch me ride
I'm gonna ride this storm ride this storm
You can't tell me
That it can't be done
I want you to see that I am capable of facing this challenge and will not give up until I have succeeded
Gonna ride
Gonna ride this storm
Gonna ride
Gonna ride
I'm gon' ride on back to you honey
I've got to ride
Watch me ride
Gonna ride
Gonna ride
I am determined to succeed and will overcome any obstacles or challenges that come my way in order to achieve my goals
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Harley E. Hackett, Herschel Edmund Sr. Dwellingham
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind