The Tornados (credited as The Tornadoes in the United States) were a Britis… Read Full Bio ↴The Tornados (credited as The Tornadoes in the United States) were a British instrumental group of the 1960s, who acted as the in-house back-up group for many of Joe Meek's productions. The Tornados enjoyed several chart hits in their own right, including the Number One hit "Telstar" (named after the satellite and composed by Meek) which was famously the first Number One hit by a British group in the U.S. For a time, they were considered serious rivals to The Shadows. They were also one of the biggest influences on The Who, and also on the early Pink Floyd. Their next single "Globetrotter" made it to number 5 in the UK singles chart, but when bassist Heinz Burt left in 1963 for a solo career, the group began to fall apart. By 1965, none of the original line-up remained.
The death of Joe Meek in 1967 also meant the end of the Tornados. In 1975, four of the five original members tried an unsuccessful comeback as the New Tornados.
Drummer Clem Cattini often played on recording sessions for other artists and sometimes featured in Cliff Richard's backing bands. He holds the record for appearing on the most UK Number One singles in chart history. Rhythm guitarist George Bellamy is the father of the successful British rock band Muse frontman, Matthew Bellamy.
2. For the American surf rock band, please see The Tornadoes or The Hollywood Tornadoes.
The death of Joe Meek in 1967 also meant the end of the Tornados. In 1975, four of the five original members tried an unsuccessful comeback as the New Tornados.
Drummer Clem Cattini often played on recording sessions for other artists and sometimes featured in Cliff Richard's backing bands. He holds the record for appearing on the most UK Number One singles in chart history. Rhythm guitarist George Bellamy is the father of the successful British rock band Muse frontman, Matthew Bellamy.
2. For the American surf rock band, please see The Tornadoes or The Hollywood Tornadoes.
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John Rhodes
Joe Meeks was a genius.
Nothing More can be said.
KINDLE
This is so incredible. I wish I could travel back in time. Who'd want to travel forwards?
potar
yes!!! Love this video!!! Joe Meek was way ahead of his time. any Telstar clips out in there?
Toby R
and more
John Barrow
This video probably cost about 5 shillings to make, including the fish and chip supper for the cast and crew!! Nonetheless, it's absolutely brilliant! So evocative of the time between Elvis and the Beatles when pure, fab pop like this would get into the charts. Thx for posting. (For those too young to remember, 5 shillings, it's about 25p in modern money)
GuildfordGhost
Delighted to see this finally! I had heard about it but never saw it. The last trolleybus ran past 304 Holloway Road in 1960 (Robot actually charted in March 1963). Yes, George Bellamy was a guitarist in the band. At least one of them appears to be missing from the video - I can make out Heinz Burt, Clam Cattini and Alan Caddy. Thanks so much for posting this!
lundkvist
Just typical you can´t have a robotic dance party without being hassled by the man.
deadbeatdynamo
That's so true.
Sam Feldstein
I'd love to see Todd in the Shadows do a One Hit Wonderland on this band and include commentary on this music video
drpesky
One of my fave instrumentals this song had a big influence on me and my song writing