The Psychedelic Worm: Johnny and the Hurricanes’ Red River Rock ’67

The Psychedelic Worm takes a look at the Johnny and the Hurricanes song “Red River Rock ’67.”

The Psychedelic Worm

Johnny and the Hurricanes were an American instrumental rock band active in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The band was founded in Toledo, Ohio in 1958 by Johnny Paris (born John Pocisk; April 2, 1940 – October 25, 2006). They are best known for their million-selling 1960 hit single, “Red River Rock”, which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The group’s sound was based on Paris’ wild, staccato saxophone riffs and they became known as one of the premier exponents of what would later be called “swamp rock”. The band’s signature saxophone-driven sound was punctuated by special effects such as feedback and “stingers” (short, sharp notes played on the reed).

In addition to “Red River Rock”, the Hurricanes had three other songs that reached the US Top 40: “Beatnik Fly” (1959), “Crossfire” (1960), and “Down Yonder” (1961). Johnny and the Hurricanes won a gold record for “Reveille Rock” (1961)and were awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.

Johnny and the Hurricanes

Johnny and the Hurricanes were a rock and roll band from Toledo, Ohio, United States, that was most popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The band’s sound was distinguishable by the use of tenor saxophone as the lead instrument instead of guitar.

Red River Rock

Red River Rock” is a 1959 instrumental rock and roll song written by brothers Joe and George Bogan, under the pseudonym “The Red River Boys”. The song was originally recorded by Johnny and the Hurricanes, who had a minor hit single with it in 1959. In 1967, the band re-recorded the song, which became a major hit in several countries.

The Hogans were from Toledo, Ohio, and had been playing together for some time before they recorded “Red River Rock”. They first recorded it for the localJamie label in early 1959, with Joe Bogan on vocals. The single was not a hit, but caught the attention of Henry Jerome, who asked to record it for his label, Warwick Records. Jerome thought that the song would be more successful if it were re-recorded as an instrumental.

The band agreed, and Johnny Paris (saxophone), Paul Tesluk (guitar), Walter Dadasiewicz (bass), and Butch Mattice (drums) recorded the instrumental version of “Red River Rock” in April 1959. This version was released on Warwick Records in June 1959 and reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in September of that year. In October 1959, it peaked at number 6 on the Cash Box chart. The B-side of the single was “Down Yonder”, which was also written by Joe and George Bogan.

The Johnny and the Hurricanes’ recording of “Red River Rock” is listed as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number 486 on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2009, it was ranked number 74 on Pitchfork Media’s list of The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s.

The Psychedelic Sound of the 60’s

In the 1960’s, music went through a massive change. Psychedelic drugs were becoming popular, and their influence was starting to show in the music of the time. One band that epitomized this new sound was Johnny and the Hurricanes.

Johnny and the Hurricanes were a rock and roll band from Toledo, Ohio. They were best known for their instrumental hit “Red River Rock”, which reached #5 on the Billboard charts in 1959. The band continued to record and tour throughout the 60’s, but their sound began to change as the decade progressed. By 1967, they had fully embraced the psychedelic sound of the times, as evidenced by their album The Psychedelic Worm.

The Psychedelic Worm is a concept album about a worm who turns into a butterfly after taking a trip on a magic carpet. The album features some of Johnny and the Hurricanes’ most innovative and experimental music, including the 12-minute long “Psychedelic Journey”, which features feedback, distortion, and backwards vocals.

While The Psychedelic Worm was not a commercial success at the time of its release, it is now considered one of the most important documents of the psychedelic era. If you’re looking to take a trip back in time to experience the sounds of the 60’s, this is the album for you.

The Psychedelic Movement

In 1967, the psychedelic movement was in full swing. Psychedelic music, art, and fashion were all the rage. One band that epitomized this movement was Johnny and the Hurricanes. Their song “Red River Rock ’67” is a perfect example of the psychedelic sound.

The Summer of Love

1967 was a landmark year for the Psychedelic Movement, culminating in what is known as the Summer of Love. That summer, during which an estimated 100,000 young people journeyed to San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district, was a time of great creativity and experimentation in music, art, fashion and drug use. ThePsychedelic Movement also had a significant impact on politics and social issues of the time. Despite itsunabashed hedonism and anti-establishment attitude, the movement helped to change popular culture in lasting ways.

Psychedelic Music

Psychedelic music is a genre that explores the full potential of the mind-altering experiences brought on by drugs like LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline, and DMT. The music is intended to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of those drugs.

Psychedelic music is often characterized by extended jams, daring improvisation, and heightened levels of creativity. The genre is also known for its use of iconography and visual effects, which are often used to enhance the psychedelic experience.

The roots of psychedelic music can be traced back to the late 1950s and early 1960s, when artists like Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys began experimenting with mind-altering drugs like LSD. These artists would go on to influence a generation of musicians who would carry the torch of psychedelic music into the 1970s.

Notable bands and artists in the psychedelic music genre include: The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Cream, Santana, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Led Zeppelin, and The Velvet Underground.

The Psychedelic Worm and the Psychedelic Movement

The Psychedelic Worm by Johnny and the Hurricanes was a song released in 1967 that captured the Psychedelic Movement. This song has a driving beat, which is perfect for dancing, and the lyrics are about a “psychedelic worm” who turns the world into “a big pink bouncy ball.” The song is perfect for anyone who wants to get their groove on and is a great representation of the Psychedelic Movement.

The Connection Between the Two

It is interesting to note the connection between the Psychedelic Worm and the Psychedelic Movement. The Psychedelic Movement was a cultural phenomenon that took place in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was characterized by the use of mind-altering drugs, vibrant colors, and psychedelic music. The Johnny and the Hurricanes song “Red River Rock ’67” was released in 1967 and was very popular among young people at the time. The Psychedelic Worm likely got its name from this song.

The Legacy of the Psychedelic Worm

It’s been over fifty years since the release of Johnny and the Hurricanes’ hit song “Red River Rock ’67.” The song, which was released in 1967, was a cover of a 1955 song by rockabilly artist Jack Scott. The song was a huge hit, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been used in many movies and TV shows, and has been covered by many artists. The song is most remembered for its catchy “psychadelic worm” riff.

The Psychedelic Sound of the 60’s

The Psychedelic Worm was a section of the 1967 hit record “Red River Rock” by Johnny and the Hurricanes. The short, frantic, organ-driven riff near the end of the song was an instant sensation with young fans and is considered one of the most recognizable and iconic parts of 60’s pop culture. The Psychedelic Worm has been referenced and sampled by many artists over the years, solidifying its place in music history.