*Interviewer: LAZLO FARNSWORTH, London 1-24-08
Duane Thomas in his Detroit
office.
L.F.
Great to meet you finally. I loved Johnny and The
Hurricanes®, and I love reading your Google Blogger
"Drivin' Sideways in Detroit!". It's really great. It's
been a busy 18 months now since Johnny Paris® passed away,
right?
D.T.
Thanks for the compliment. Well...you could say. Sonja and
I have been thrashing around like a couple alligators in a
bathtub. Going through all of his things was a nightmare.
L.F.
Did he have a lot of stuff from the Hurricane days?
D.T.
He had saved stuff for 60 years. Loaf of bread receipts for
$.24 cents in 1962...and picture of him and the
Beatles..with a grocery list on the back. Bus fares and
taxi totals and old train tickets. Contracts, photos,
writeups, files, cards, tapes, Masters...you name it...the
guy saved it.
L.F.
He probably planned to write his memoirs.
D.T.
He did. He kept a diary and had a general outline, that we
followed along with a huge amount of research. And by
interviews with former bandmates, school friends, managers
such as HORST FASCHER from Hamburg's STAR-CLUB who
contracted both the Beatles and Johnny and The Hurricanes®.
Of course, and a lot of important and famous people from
the days of the Birth of Rock and Roll. And also outta
those darn storage facilities we keep all his things in. I
just KNOW I'll never get thru it all. And I've tried for
almost 2 years.
L.F.
I suppose that much available information would be great
stuff for a book.
D.T.
Stuff is a good word. Johnnny had stuff for his
stuff...stuffed everywhere. We didn't have a clue where to
begin.
L.F.
So, how did it begin? The idea for "SAX MAN".
D.T.
It was John's idea from his outline. And a song he wrote by
that name. He always intended to write his biography.
Johnny's widow Sonja and I met after his passing, and
paired up together. We were an unlikely pair at 1st. A
former Hurricane and a grieving widow who hadn't any clue
as to how the entertainment business works. I just dove
into his stuff, and house, office, file cabinets and
locker. There was so much stuff...honestly? I wanted to go
out to the cemetery and dig him up and kill him again for
leaving all this stuff from his 50+ years with the group!
It was a monumental task.
L.F.
This is the 50th anniversay of Johnny and the Hurricanes®,
correct?
D.T.
It is 50 years since 1958, mere months before "CROSSFIRE"
was released, followed by "RED RIVER ROCK", and
consequently all the others from early 1959 on. We were
named the #1 Instrumental Group in the World in 1959, and
Johnny was one of the very 1st to do music videos in
1960..and record in Stereo at Bell Sound in New York...in
1960 no less, years before it was accepted.
L.F.
And you were the lead guitarist and lead vocalist in the
mid-seventies?
D.T.
I was. There have been over 300 members in 50 years. I was
teaching guitar in Detroit when I was approached to join
the group. I was un-impressed and really had no idea it was
'THAT' Johnny and The Hurricanes®. One night on stage John
announces "And now...our BIGGEST hit...!" I and go "We're
the 'REAL' Johnny and The Hurricanes®?" Life can sure be
simple when you're young and think you know
everything...but really know nothing.
L.F.
What
was it like in those days playing in front of big
audiences? I'll bet it was a blast.
D.T.
I'd tell you...but then I'd have to kill you. You'll have
to read the book!
L.F.
I cant wait. I know he lived an amazing life.
D.T.
Johnny was the 1st real American Idol. Girls were fainting
at him up there playing sax behind his back. And this was
in 1959 yet!
L.F.
Can you give us some hints as to what's in it?
D.T.
Details? No. You'll have to read the book. But, I can tell
you this. It's the story about a boy who wanted to be an
astronaut...but became a superstar instead. Lost masters
and song rights, bad deals, The Beatles, American
Bandstand, broken relationships and marriage, affairs, Red
Light Districts, booze and drugs, and the Birth of Rock and
Roll.
L.F.
Amazing, truely amazing. It should be a movie too!
D.T.
We are negotiating that as well as we speak. Book 1st,
motion picture to follow. Cross your fingers. Really
though, it all looks very, very good.
L.F.
And you have the website up, and the new MYSPACE pages as
well, right?
D.T.
Yep. But we couldn't have done it without the help of the
folks here at the Hurricane Shelter. Sonja, Larry
Patterson, LA Grizzy, Dale Martin and Lucky the Wonder Dog.
L.F.
I was going to ask you about him!
D.T.
(sigh) Well, you shouldn't. It will all go to his head!
He's a tiny black schnoodle who thinks he owns me.
Actually..I guess he does in a way. He's the faithful
companion that's always there no matter what. Like my wife
Laura. Dependable and trustworhty to a fault. I couldn't
ever ask for a better family.
L.F.
Thats really great. So, what time-table are you working
with for releasing the book? Soon , we hope.
D.T.
It will be. Many issues were left unresolved, but they are
now, and the path is clear.
L.F.
We can't wait. Any other projects in the works for you?
D.T.
I'm trying to get my brother's stuff out there. He's
recovering now from cancer. And there's a great, great
group up in New Foundland with a couple of brothers called
"FITZ" . They're already on a par with the best that's been
recorded out there. Very good, very talented. If I can't
give them a break, I sure wish someone would. And another
friend Roger Banks has a new book out "The BLACK DON JUAN".
I'd like to see him succeed. An excellent writer and
phenomenal vocalist as well.
L.F.
Wow. And "Drivin' Sideways in Detroit!? Will it continue?
D.T.
Oh yes, but in video this year. In addition to posting,
you'll also be able to watch it on YouTube each Sunday.
It's exciting.
L.F.
You ARE busy!
D.T.
Yeah, well as my daddy used to say..."I'll rest when I'm
dead". Hopefully, that won't be anytime soon.
L.F.
We hope not! Johnny Paris® and yourself have brought a lot
of great music to the world. Hopefully, more will follow.
D.T.
Thanks. I did an interview once with the Detroit Free
Press. And what I said then, hold true now.
L.F.
And what was that?
D.T.
I said that music is reward in itself. Music is universal,
music is heart and soul. Music is love. Its a language we
all speak, hear and feel.
L.F.
Thank you Mr. Thomas for your time. The world awaits.
D.T.
My pleasure. But, please! No MISTER Thomas. Call me Duane
or "Hurricane". Just never call call me late for dinner!
L.F.
Ha, ha! I won't Duane. But you're picking up the tab here!
D.T.
Touche my friend. Touche.
Duane Thomas and Sonja Paris discussing matters
of the Johnny Paris® biography in Rossford/Ohio
Part two of
the interview:
L.F: So, how exactly did you join Johnny and the
Hurricanes®?
D.T:
I was teaching guitar lessons in Dearborn Michigan after
High School, and Jerry David, the Hurricanes Bass player
came in and asked if I was free.
L.F. That must have been a dream for a young guitarist to
be asked to play with such a world famous group, eh?
D.T:
Well, all this is in our book, but...it would have been
great...if I had any idea WHO Johnny and the Hurricanes®
were!
L.F: You didnt know who they were?!
D.T:
Of course I knew who Johnny Paris® was... and his
Hurricanes. But, there were so many bands back then. I
played in a bunch. Big 12 piece horn Motown type groups to
bar band rockers. Right after the '60's, you know? It just
never dawned on me I joined THAT Johnny and The
Hurricanes®. I mean...I just didnt connect the dots. I had
played with so many different people and kinds of music. It
just went over my head.
L.F: That in itself is amazing! That you didnt know!
D.F:
Yeah well...life is sure cut-and-dried simple when you
think you know EVERYTHING! And, I thought I did at 20-21
years of age.
L.F:
I find this really interesting. So...when...I mean...when
did you finally..
D.T:
Realize what group I had gotten into? Actually? Probably
just the last 2 years since John passed away. No,
seriously, on stage one night, and after a song was
introduced. It's all in the book.
L.F: And so, you stayed how long? Furthermore...why had you
left?
D.T:
PLEASE buy our book! Its all in there!...I was lead
guitarist and vocalist between 1973-late 74. And why I
left? John just announced one day, he was spitting up this
group (and his hundredth or so version...this is what he
did for 45+ years...dump and replace). And I went on to
Motown Studios to record a solo album with some Motown
alumni and others.
L.F: Really! How did that solo recording come about? Who
played on it? Anyone we'd might know?
D.T:
Well, I was just tired of the Hurricanes, and wanted to do
my own thing. Also...in our book. Ralph Terrana from Rare
Earth, the Hurricanes and Motown Exec on piano, Perry
Palmer from Bob Seger at the time on drums, Al Zenick from
Seger and Bowie on bass, Daniel Gaines on acoustic. Bob
Ohlson Motown legend, was my engineer.
L.F: Wow! And what happened?
D.T:
Nothing happened. Like a million other groups out there. My
originals were Allman Brothers style, and recorded because
Capricorn Records down in Macon Georgia, who were handling
the Allmans, Marshall Tucker and Charlie Daniels, were
interested. And then they weren't. Ce la vie.
L.F: As is true for so many out there. I understand you
went and relocated to Miami?
D.T:
I did. Guitar, amp, wife and dog. Moved to Coral Gables.
Beautiful city. Gorgeous. I love that place.
L.F: And you kept playing?
D.T:
Yep. Had the Duane Thomas Group with a couple female
vocalists. We worked the Holiday Inn circuit and the Miami
Beach Hotels, til I got a job coaching models for Charm
Modeling Schools of Miami. Mostly women..young..and yes. I
got into trouble..but that led me to Assistant Producer of
a weekly variety television show in Ft. Lauderdale. So, it
was all good. The 70's in Miami were wild times.
L.F:
Oh oh! Compared to the '60's?
D.T:
Threesomes and swapping were common and accepted back then.
Along with the 'recreational" dabbling in mind altering
substances. It was a sign of the times.
L.F: And how long did you stay in South Florida?
D.T:
Till the end of 1978, and I packed up wife, dog and
girlfriend...yeah I know...but remember...threesomes were a
thing then..and came back to Detroit.
L.F: Let me see if I understand you. You brought your
girlfriend AND your wife back?
D.T:
Please! I did it....don't regret it, but wouldn't repeat
it. It was just a rock musician and a couple women thing.
May we move along?
L.F: Yes, of course. You've had a very interesting career
up until that point! I would love to discuss what the rock
scene was like in Detroit in the 1960's. Motown. Bob Seger.
D.T:
I'd love to, but that will have to be another
time.
L.F: Thank you, why yes. Yes, of course. But maybe you
should say not "another time" Duane...perhaps another
"BOOK!"
D.T:
HA! Oh, God love ya! From your mouth to God's ear...as the
saying goes. We have contemplated other books after "SAX
MAN", and I as well, have some ideas of my own. But, for
now with "SAX MAN" coming, for the forseeable future...I'm
just tryin' to put one foot in front of the other everyday,
you know? And maybe I can do somebody, somewhere, some good
along the way. Tomorrow may not come for all of
us.
L.F: Thank you so much Duane! The public can't wait for
Johnny's biography to come out. To see the real hidden
sides of the history of Rock and Roll, and the story of
Johnny Paris®.
D.T:
You're most welcome Lazlo. My best to yours.
L.F:
Perhaps we could speak again soon?
D.T.
Absolutely. But next time in London, at your
place..."across the pond". And YOUR'E buying this time!
L.F: Ha ha! Touche' yourself Hurricane Duane! Touche'.
Johnny and the Hurricanes® in the 70's:
Duane Thomas (guitar and lead vocal), Jerry David (bass and
lead vocals), Johnny Paris®
on top of jukebox (saxophone), Perry Palmer (drums and
background vocals), Ralph Terrana (keyboards and background
vocals).
(Interview
printed with permission and courtesy of Duane Thomas)
Also
please visit:
http://www.60sgaragebands.com/duanethomassaxman.html
for another Hurricane Duane Interview.
(Copy and paste to your browser)