Ringo Starr – Rory Storm and the Hurricanes 40 – Photos

Ringo Starr – Rory Storm and the Hurricanes images

In November of 1959 Ritchie officially joined the band, now calling themselves Rory Storm And the Hurricanes and fronted by the charismatic Alan Caldwell. The Hurricanes and their intrepid leader were known as much for their outlandish dress and exuberant stage performance as for their music and by 1960, they were the top ranked band in Liverpool. 1960 not only brought the band an offer of a thirteen week summer engagement at Butlins in Pwllheli, Wales, but also a big dilemma for Richard Starkey. In order to accompany the band to Pwllheli, Ritchie would have to give up his apprenticeship at Hunt and Son. His parents desperately tried to persuade him to stay with the program as did his fiancee, a lass named Geraldine. However, the lure of twenty pounds a week proved to be too much.

Ever the showman, Rory who had already changed his name, suggested that Ritchie adopt a flashier stage monicker Because of his penchant for wearing rings on his fingers, Ritchie naturally evolved into “Rings” and then quickly morfed into the more Western sounding “Ringo.” Starkey became shortened to Starr because it fit better with Ringo and so that his solo offering could be billed as “Starr Time.” His big numbers included “Boys”, “You’re Sixteen,” “Big Noise From Winetka,” and “Alley Oop.”

Ringo Starr With Rory Storm and the Hurricanes