Instrumental Rock, Rock & Roll
Major Members: Norman Sanders, Jesse Sanders, Gerald Sanders, Leonard Delaney, Heinz
Representative Albums: "Beyond the Surf: The Best of the Tornadoes," "Bustin' Surfboards," "Now and Then"
Representative Songs: "Bustin' Surfboards," "Shootin' Beavers," "The Gremmie"
Biography
Not to be confused with the British studio group that gave the world the Joe Meek-produced instrumental "Telstar," or the Midwest group that recorded "Scalping Party" on Cuca, or the Kennewick, Washington combo of the same name, this group of Tornadoes burst onto the national scene with one of the very first surf instrumentals, "Bustin' Surfboards," in 1962. A family band, their lineup consisted of two brothers (Gerald and Norman Sanders), their cousin Jesse Sanders and a friend, Leonard Delaney. They started out as an instrumental group from San Bernardino, CA, called the Vaqueros. After adding sax man George White to the lineup, they changed their name to the Tornadoes. Their lone national chart entry was nonetheless an important one, with "Bustin' Surfboards" in 1962 making the playlists in cities that were far removed from any kind of surfing activity and signaling the beginnings of surf music as a national craze. Although using an off-brand echo unit in place of the Fender reverb unit (which hadn't been invented yet), the record had the prerequisite sound of this fledgling genre, utilizing a solid surfer's stomp drum beat and crashing wave sound effects throughout. More recordings followed, with a name change to the Hollywood Tornadoes for their next two singles in deference to their British namesakes, who had charted higher with "Telstar." Their fourth single, "Shootin' Beavers," was banned from radio play because of the so-called suggestive title. No more hits were forthcoming from the band, although they did release one excellent album that stands as one of the earliest -- and best -- examples of the genre. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide
Norm (Roly) Sanders
Jesse Sanders
Gerald Sanders
Leonard Delaney
Joel Willenbring
Mike Gooch
Former members
George White
Ernie Tavizon
This article is about the American band The Tornadoes. For the British pop band, see The Tornados.
The Tornadoes were a surf band from Redlands, California, the first to receive national airplay with a surf instrumental. The song was "Bustin' Surfboards", released on Aertaun Records in 1962, and it has since become a classic and mainstay of the surf genre. One of its distinctions, and appeals, was that the song opened with the sound of an ocean swell (that continued throughout the song), thereby creating a sense of being at a beach. The album with the same name was released in 1963. The band, however, did not manage to follow up on their success. Their song "Shootin' Beavers" was banned from airplay because of its suggestive title. The band temporarily changed their names to The Hollywood Tornadoes, because the British band the Tornado(e)s, were charting with the song "Telstar".
"Bustin' Surfboards" was included on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack in 1994, thereby renewing interest in the band. The Tornadoes continued to perform through 2007. Members as of 2007 (including four members of the original band) were brothers Gerald (bass) and Norman "Roly" Sanders (lead guitar), their cousin Jesse Sanders (rhythm guitar), Leonard Delaney (drums) and Joel Willenbring (saxophone).
In 2005, they released a CD called Now and Then on the Crossfire Publications label containing 29 tracks, including live recordings from their performance at the Zappanale concert in Germany in 2003, cuts from a 1998 CD and two new recordings.
According to the band's website[1] as of November 2008, the band has decided to retire and is no longer touring or performing.
Discography
"Bustin' Surfboards"/"Beyond The Surf" Aertaun Records (1962)
"The Gremmie Pt. 1"/"The Gremmie Pt. 2" Aertaun Records (1962) (Issued as The Hollywood Tornadoes)
"Moon Dawg"/"The Inebriated Surfer" Aertaun Records (1963) (Issued as The Hollywood Tornadoes)
"Phantom Surfer"/"Shootin' Beavers" Aertaun Records (1963) An infamous classic!
"Phantom Surfer"/"Lightnin'" Aertaun Records (1964) ("Lightnin'" is basically an instrumental version of "Shootin' Beavers", a song which caused some local outrage and controversy at the time due to its supposed "dirty" lyrics.)
"The Swag"/"Rawhide" Sundazed (2000) Two ripping Link Wray songs originally recorded in 1962!
ALBUM: "Bustin' Surfboards" Josie Records (1963) Twelve songs.
