The Tornados

The Tornados

The Tornados, credited as The Tornadoes in the United States, are a British instrumental group of the 1960s. They act as Joe Meek’s in-house backing group on many of his productions and achieve several chart hits in their own right.

Chart success and key recordings

Their best-known recording is “Telstar”, a number one hit named after the satellite and composed by Joe Meek. It is the first number one by a British group in the United States. The group also has a UK top five single with “Globetrotter”. At one stage they are seen as serious rivals to The Shadows.

Line-up changes and later years

Bassist Heinz Burt leaves in 1963 for a solo career, after which the group begins to fall apart. By 1965, none of the original line-up remains. The death of Joe Meek in 1967 also brings the Tornados to an end. In 1975, four of the five original members attempt a comeback under the name the New Tornados, but it is unsuccessful.

Members and wider connections

Drummer Clem Cattini also plays on recording sessions for other artists and appears in Cliff Richard’s backing bands. He holds the record for appearing on the most UK number one singles in chart history. Rhythm guitarist George Bellamy is the father of Matthew Bellamy, the frontman of the British rock band Muse.

Influence

The Tornados are among the major influences on The Who and on early Pink Floyd.