A BOOK BY ANTHONY HOGAN: FROM A STORM TO A HURRICANE – RORY STORM AND THE HURRICANES
“Alan Ernest Caldwell,” also known as Rory Storm, had the bright distinction of being in the most popular band in Liverpool. No, Rory was never in the Beatles. Rory’s group, the “Hurricanes” were the most popular band in Liverpool while the Beatles were pursuing their climb to fame. Until the Beatles paid their dues in Hamburg, Rory and his band were to hold the reins. Ironically, the drummer in Rory’s band was none other than Ringo Starr, who was to permanently join the Beatles in 1962.
Here is an excellent book about Rory. At times a very tragic story as it deals with Rory’s problem with stuttering and the tragic finale of Rory’s mom finding Rory deceased in his bed following a short illness. The author thoroughly disputes the rumor and proposed notion that Rory took his own life and gives his evidence in the book. Rory’s mom was to pass away very soon after her son’s death.
Title: FROM A STORM TO A HURRICANE-RORY STORM AND THE HURRICANES
The book is available on Amazon, sometimes on eBay and also occasionally at Abe Books!
A few years ago I was able to obtain this handwritten letter by Rory Storm, dated April of 1964. Ironically only 2 months after the Beatles had conquered the world. The letter is an answer to an inquiry to a person trying to arrange a gig with Rory and his band…
LETTER FROM RORY STORM
This Wikipedia entry provides a lot of interesting info concerning Rory!
This set came my way about two months before the release of the Abbey Road Set in 2019.
It was what we call a ‘Brown Envelope Job’.
I was totally amazed at what was inside – although the finished and released package was beautifully packaged and set out, this gave me a huge insight into how the package was heading. Again this is a ‘working’ box set, it displayed some wonderful thought. Apparently, there were 100 constructed and this is number 12.
This is the front of the sample package.
All four parts note pieces displayed. You will find that the wording displayed here was used except for package four – The Alternate Abbey Road.
Abbey Road Project
Abbey Road Internal Package
This is the general shot of the internal workings of the package thus far. You can see that it resembles in some way the design of the UK Our First Four Package from 1968. Complete with four photos 3 of which are from that famous shoot in August 1969. Sample CDs are displayed along with a small photograph also from that shoot. Some are perhaps the original copies being somewhat light struck!! This photograph also shows the holding box to the left.
Abbey Road Package contents
This is the rear of the interior package
It shows different versions of the rear of the Abbey Road cover, complete with the track listings for each album. Of great interest is package four which was never issued, This is another 2019 re-mix with the later versions of Here Comes The Sun, – the Accapella version of Because. and an Intro version of Come Together. As said this was never issued in any form, but is canned somewhere, nice to have it. I admit I have it on my computer and make backup copies when my playing one gets scratched due to the potholed roads offered by the authorities in our wonderful country!!
Rear of the Abbey Road Package
This set was never issued, but having it in my collection is a real plus. Knowing that only 100 were issued, having one is extra special. So, I do hope this one-off viewing will meet with your approval. Like all of my Apple material, it is kept in a box stored out of sunlight and is very rarely opened, hence its excellent condition!
Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.
Julian Lennon, Micky Dolenz, Jason Scheff, Mark Hudson, Steve Holley and many others…
In 2020, Joey Molland, formerly of Badfinger got together with noted record producer Mark Hudson who has also produced Ringo Starr, and recorded a fine album entitled “Be True to Yourself.” Julian Lennon and Micky Dolenz added backing vocals to some of the tracks, former Wings drummer, Steve Holley and Chicago bassist and singer, Jason Scheff, also lent their considerable talents to some of the recordings. Credits to the personnel who worked on the album are noted and shown below. Julian Lennon is also credited as having taken the front and back cover photos for the album.
Because I made a contribution to the funding of the LP, I was fortunate that the promotional outfit sent me a signed copy of the cd which I was very pleased with along with another special item featured at the bottom of this post!
Joey Molland – CD
Joey Molland – CD
Omnivore Recordings
Release Date : 2020
TRACK LISTING:
This Time
Better Tomorrow
Rainy Day Man
Heaven
All I Want To Do
I Don’t Wanna Be Done With You
All I Do Is Cry
Loving You
Shine
Be True To Yourself
A book about Badfinger member Joey Molland written by Michael A. Cimino in 2011 is shown below. It was rumored that Joey was also considering writing his own book, but at this point in time, that has not come to fruition.
Many people over the years have cited the late Dan Matovina’s book about the group entitled “Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger” as being the best print work about the band! Hope to see more books about the band in the future and would also love to see a feature film created about this fabulous band!
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform– Published July 22, 2011, Author Michael Cimino
Biography of Joey Molland
Generally regarded as the best biography about Badfinger shown below:
Frances Glover Books- Published in 2000, authored by Dan Matovina:
Without You – Badfinger Biography
“BE TRUE TO YOUR SELFIE”
Julian Lennon and Joey
Not sure who took the above photo but it probably was Mark Hudson or a member of the studio personnel for the Molland album “Be True To Yourself.” If you can provide the name of the individual who took the photo, would be happy to acknowledge their work:Thank you!
I have posted this photograph before in a Badfinger post on this blog. As part of the promotional campaign for the financing for the production of the “Be True To Yourself” album, for a specific donation amount, Joey would handwrite the lyrics to any Joey Molland or Badfinger song that you desired, whether he wrote the song or not. I chose “Apple of My Eye” written by Pete Ham, because it was on the last Apple LP by Badfinger and it poignantly refers to the band leaving the label. Business problems would not only spell the end of the Beatles, but Badfinger was to suffer a similar fate.
Would like to conclude this post with an excellent interview conducted by podcaster and host of many YouTube and Online programs, Ken Michaels. He interviews Joey Molland where they discuss the “Be True To Yourself” LP. Check it out… !!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I36-UezuZqA&t=9s
Interview with Joey Molland and Ken Michaels
Buzz
Find out more about Apple Records here
Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.
A few years ago, I was fortunate to be able to obtain a signed photo print from the late official Beatles photographer, Dezo Hoffmann. I chose this photo to purchase because the Beatles are all handling Apples possibly signaling a portend of things to come
Photo of The Beatles
Saw this on YouTube -some brief home movies shot by Dezo and his crew in 1963
Harry Benson is another photographer who had a long history of photographing either the Beatles or in the solo career of Paul McCartney. Here are some of the Benson books that are in my personal Beatles-related book collection
Benson had the distinction of photographing many US Presidents. He photographed and therefore helped to document the Civil Rights movement. He was next to Robert Kennedy when he was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan in 1968. He has photographed some of the biggest worldwide personalities of the last 50 years including the late Queen Elizabeth, the late Michael Jackson, and the late Elizabeth Taylor.
A more generalized Benson photography book featuring Paul McCartney on the cover:
PowerHouse Books-Published in 2009 Introduction by John Loring:
Book can be found on Ebay, Amazon, and many book search services such as Abe Books!
Harry Benson Photographs
Harry Benson’s signature in my copy of the book.
Harry Benson Photographs
Taschen Publications published 2 editions of this book of Benson’s McCartney photos. This was the mass market trade edition:
Book can be found on Ebay, Amazon, and many book search services such as Abe Books!
Harry Benson – Paul
Taschen also produced a signed limited edition version of the book. I believe the edition was 600 copies signed by Harry Benson: The book is the same book as the one above but in a cut-away red hard plastic slipcase There was also two art editions totaling 100 copies which were accompanied by a signed gelatin silver print from Harry Benson. These editions are sold-out!
Collector’s Edition of 600 copies (No. 101–700), each numbered and signed by Harry Benson
Also available in two Art Editions (No. 1–100), accompanied by a signed gelatin silver print
Harry Benson – Paul
Harry’s Book of Beatles Photographs
The next two titles feature probably Benson’s most famous Beatles photos on the cover of the famous pillow fight taken in one if their hotel rooms. These 2 books basically feature photos taken while the Beatles were still touring the world. Published by Taschen in 2013. Can be found on Ebay, a few used copies remain on Amazon. The book can also be located through various Book search services such as Abe Books.
Harry Benson The Beatles on The Road
January 1, 1993Universe Publications-The Beatles: In the Beginning
Once again copies can be found on Ebay, used copies are also available on Amazon and the book can also be located at such book search services as Abe Books!
The Beatles In The Beginning
I added this one to the collection because of the ironic book title “The Beatles-Now and Then”, especially in light of their last number 1 in the UK appearing with the same name in November of 2023. The book was issued in 1998!
Release Date: September 1998–Universe Publishing
The Beatles Now and Then
Once there was a way…Photographs of the Beatles Hardcover – Published on September 23, 2003 by Harry N. Abrams Publisher
Harry Benson photographer
“Once There Was a Way” to get back homeward. Then why do so many philosophers tell you we can’t go home again…? Ask Thomas Dekker!!! LOL
Once There Was A Way
Have you got any of Harry Benson’s books of photographs? Do you have a favourite Beatles photographer?
Buzz
Other Book of Beatles Photographs
Bill Zygmant – Where Did You Get That Shirt? (Signed Limited Edition)
Get your copy of Bill Zygmant’s portfolio book of unique photographs covering his career from the late 1960s to the 1980s.
This will be a signed, numbered edition – maximum of 250 numbered editions.
It comes with one of Bill’s signed photographs, which usually sells for £50!
This set piece of the Apple Records Our First Four US Press Information Pack is perhaps the most rare press offering coupled with the UK Set, that is so sought after by fans and collectors.
The number of complete sets of both can be probably numbered by the fingers on both hands, This set which compliments the United Kingdon Pack is also from my own collection. Both sets are held within a standard Apple box file complete with an autographed Apple Records card on the Top. The autograph is by Tony Bramwell and was given to me by a relative who met him at Apple in 1969.
The photographs display the full USA Set pack, and like my UK Set, are kept out of the sunlight, and viewed occasionally by myself to show people. It is a simply gorgeous but different set to the UK offering. The only similarity is the wording used, it was matching all the way through. The photographs are as follows.
The Apple box-type file, with the autographed Tony Bramwell Card, and the envelope used to hold the Our First Four US package
Apple Record’s Our First Four US
The holding paper/ card folder with the Apple motif printed on the front.
The Holding Paper/ Card with Apple Logo
The general package, showing each artist card front and the 45 rpm singles US release
The Apple First Four US Package
The package for the Black Dyke Mills Band issue Thingumybob / Yellow Submarine
The Black Dyke Mills Band
The general package part for Jackie Lomax Sour Milk Sea
Jackie Lomax “Sour Milk Sea”
The general package for Mary Hopkin’s Release “Those Were The Days” / “Turn, Turn, Turn”
Mary Hopkin’s “Those Were The Days”
The package for “Hey Jude” / “Revolution”
“Hey Jude” / “Revolution”
This is the general package unit for the whole presentation, showing the extra items envelope, stamps, leaflet, small Apple cube, and accompanying Double White Album Leaflet
General US Package
This really was a beautiful package destined to disappear very quickly and therefore ultimately to grow in value
I hope that you enjoy this presentation, as this will be the only time it will be photographed for display.
Get Nigel’s Great book on Apple – Inside Number Three
Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.
