Andre Palfrey-martin collection
Andre Martin… Absolute Radio 60 – Just played the Tornados 1962 classic hit record Telstar, produced in North London by Joe Meek.
Andy Qunta… Loved Telstar! Still do!
Terry Pack… The great Clem Cattini on drums.
Pete Fairless… Telstar was at #1 the week before. I wonder how many times they played it?
Mick O’Dowd… They produced (with the aid of Joe Meek) a very distinctive sound. They were once Billy Fury’s backing band. Saw both Billy Fury & Tornados at The ABC( now ESK).
Jon McCallion…Clem Cattini is still I think the only member of the Tornados still playing under the Tornados title. Joe meak the driving force. Good band
Mick O’Dowd… Clem was also a prolific session man on a vast array of big hits. Saw him perform these at a music weekend at Butlins. The show was just like a covers band and then he did a medley of Tornados hits! Roger LaVerne appeared on 24 Hours in A&E a year or so back.
Terry Pack… Clem’s very funny. He refers to The Tornadoes as The Torn Arseholes, and The Swinging Blue Jeans as The Swinging Pub Band. He was once standing next to Jess Conrad when a punter asked Jess if he’d ever met Elvis. Before Jess could answer, Clem quipped, ‘Not yet, but it won’t be long!’ Another friend of mine, Charlie Elston, who now does a Billy Fury tribute thing, used to play with The Tornadoes. He had some great stories about Heinz!
Jon McCallion will like this. Printed by Hastings Printing Company. Now I wonder if he has any other interesting items in the vaults?
Mike Raxworthy… Heinz was in the Tornados – Joe got him to learn bass and virtually forced him onto the band. He did get married to an air hostess he met on a flight to the States. In 1975 he was my next door neighbour for about 3 years in a little village called Maylandsea, Essex.”
Susan Duck… I remember this. My auntie Carole was manageress of the buffet/ ballroom. This was my first night I went with her, I was only 10 yes old! We took their coffee to the dressing room for them and stayed chatting to them. Roger LaVern the organist was so lovely to me that evening I’ve never forgotten it, as I say I was only 10 but he spent a lot of time chatting with me. Heinz swore a lot!!
Ralph Town… The first musical sound I remember hearing was Telstar.Scared me silly!
Jack Irving… Clem Cattini on drums!
Dave Fuggle… The guy in the middle of the top photo is Matt Bellamy (Muse) Dad.