Johnny and The Hurricanes - 1963 Tour

Johnny & The Hurricanes developed a following in Europe. In 1962, they played at the Star Club in Hamburg where The Beatles, then a little-known band, served as an Opening act. Johnny and the Hurricanes cut records until 1965, with "Old Smokie" (their cover of "On Top of Old Smokey"), and an original tune, "Traffic Jam", both on Big Top Records, being their last releases to chart in America. Johnny continued to tour with the Hurricanes in Europe and United States until his death. Johnny had an uncle (a realtor) in Rossford, Ohio (Johnny's home town) who owned a building on the main street and offered Johnny's first wife (Sharon Venier-Pocisk) space for an antique shop. When not on the road he helped out with the antique shop and vending machine business as payment for the store front for his first wife.

Back in 1963 Johnny & The Hurricanes undertook a successful tour of the UK with acts such as, Billy Fury, Gene Vincent and the Shadows as the Jokers.

January 1963

15 - Kilburn (Gaumont State)
16 - Alderley Edge (Regent Hall)
17 - Harrow (Granada)
18 - Birmingham (Ritz/Plaza)
19 - Leyton (Baths)
19 - Romford (Wykham Hall)
20 - Newcastle (City Hall)
21 - Bedford (Granada)
22 - Maidstone (Granada)
23 - Aylesbury (Granada)
24 - Portsmouth (Guildhall)
25 - Kingston (Granada)
26 - Slough (Adelphi)
27 - Tooting (Granada)
28 - Grantham (Granada)
29 - Bradford (St. George's Hall)
31 - Scunthorpe (Baths)

February 1963

01 - Stafford (Trentham Gardens)
02 - Nelson (Imperial)

Johnny & The Hurricanes

"Juke Box Doubles"
Brad Newman as Elvis Presley
Steve Francis as Billy Fury
Sally Green as Brenda Lee
Dev Douglas as Adam Faith
Dru Harvey as Gene Vincent
Jokers as The Shadows
Jimmy Saville (compere)

Promoter : Don Arden