Happily, I am able to answer my own question here via a little internet detective work. His name is Frank Hardcastle and he is retired and living in Norfolk (England, not Virginia!) and it seems that his son, Jeff - in middle age - is just now learning to play the sax and clarinet. Frank played on both this song and the more famous (in the States, at least) Oh Babe, What Would You Say plus was the musical director on one of Norman/Hurricane's albums.
Anyone know who Norman's saxophone player was here? Curious to know if he's still alive and still playing. Not a big fan of the sax, but he had an exceptionally fine sound.
wow ho trovato anche questa!!! Non pensavo... Hurricane Smith... me la ascolavo sempre prima della partita di pallavolo, non so perchè, ma mi dava una carica pazzesca! La dedico alle mie amicone Giovanna e Cristina..... ricordate??? che periodo meraviglioso!!
This song.. hearing it on the radio, a few years ago, was my first realisation of the genuis of Hurricane Smith.. it ws then that I found my parter was as well
so and awesome man, and another bond betwen us.. little did i know, at the time, that I had loved his music since I was a child..
Thanks for a great song. I always enjoyed listening to Hurricane Smith.
His voice is so different from evryonelse's. It is kind of an in between Louis Armstriong and carol Channing.
I love it and it brings great memories from my youger days driving on the B.Q.E'. in my yellow VW 'beetle' in the early 70's. R.I.P. Hurricane. You are still appreciated by many.
This song will always remind me of when I was 11 yr old in 1972, just started in secondary modern school in Shifnal, Shropshire, and the song will be always associated with the shortbread biscuit the school served as dessert. How songs and memories of childhood intertwine can bring a tear to a glass eye!
I was just listening to the song and thought,wow this guys style is like gilbert osullivan,then i read the headline lol,brill song and a unique style,memories !!
brings back so many good memories.. heard this so much as a kid... my mum had the single.. on B side was a song called 'Take Suki Home'..cant find that anywhere... how did blokes get away with hair like that ... and moustaches?...mind u i had hair like that.. Fashion .. ha ha ha... 10/10 the song
I wholeheartedly agree, shame that they don't write 'em like this anymore! Hurricane Smith was way too good for his own good, more especially with his distnctive style of singing!
@bagpuss211, I have a theory that they DO still write 'em like this, it just doesn't get recorded. Why not? Because the music industry is afraid to take chances. In the old days they usually made money no matter what they put out, even things that were a bit offbeat. And sometimes offbeat artists would be the next big thing. Today the industry is struggling, thanks to us and our free Internet downloads. They won't take chances, and will invest only in music that follows the same boring formula.
I remember the song "Oh Babe What Would You Say" back in 1972 / 73. It brings back some fond memories of when I was only 13 years old. But I never heard this song "Who Was It" until just recently but I very quickly clued in that it was Hurricain Smith because I thought the voice of the frontman sounded familair. Good old Norman Smith.
arrr i used to love this guy dont let it die was one my fav he got such an unusual gravely voice x only one can say that reminds me of gibert osullivan but hurracane was the best
i think norman had a unique voice which suited the melodies he chose perfectly not only a genious in producing but not a bad performer himself :) r.i.p norman
you would have to live in the 70's to understand what this song meant to people. if you were not there then why comment on something you know nothing about
@24368010 couldn't have stated it more precisely myself The music during this music is appreciated by many youngsters today -- Those questioning its greatness will someday realize its melodic and memorable impact and unquestioned superiority to anything in the last 25 years
Learn to spell margetlad. Well, just for you, in your language, I kniw mare abit Hurricane Smith thatn yoi evar wood you twit. And I missed the "a" out deliberately you twat.
Didn't know that about Gilbert O'sullivan but now you mention it it has his stamp all over it and I can well imagine him singing it. All that's different is the Sax work that is typical of Hurricane Smith. Great artist and made a huge contibution to the music scene.
Thanks so much for posting this video. Just listened to my 45 of this today - forgot I even had it. So sorry to hear that Hurricane is gone. Thanks for great memories, just loved your songs. Sing on on the other side.
Norman "Hurricane" Smith was born in 1923. He was 85 this year. A fine run, as things go, and an illustrious carreer, having given us the original sound of bothe the Beatles (as aformentioned, an engineer at EMI) and Pink Floyd. He died March 3. RIP.
I love this song! It reminds me of my children when they were little. Oh, what memories of us dancing to this music. We love the Beatles too! Thank you so much Hurricane!!
@pm0501 It couldn't possibly have been Sonny Bono---give the devil his due, at least Hurricane Smith could stay in key. Shame, though, that Smith's best performance doesn't get heard as often as this one, the flip side of "Who Was It," a song called "Take Suki Home" . . .
i just realised my dea hurricaine had died!!omg i put this as one of my favs wen i first went on here last year!even tho oh babe i was looking for-i added you before every one else!!!RIP HURRICAINE!!!
the sax is great too!!!jesus im still in shock !!!i wish i knew!its bad knowing a guy you write in blogs as a music muse has passed over!!shit im sorry hurricainE!!!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
He also engineered along with George Martin all the Beatles songs up till 1965. The last Beatle album he worked on as an engineer was Rubber Soul. He also engineered quite a few of Pink Floyd's early albums.
Smith had written a song which the Beatles seriously considered recording for the "Help" LP in '65 until they realized that that they still needed a Ringo vocal for the album and had to scrap the idea in lieu of "Act Naturally."
'Getting to know you' was the other side of Oh Babe What would you say. Does anyone have this? (This was the first record I wanted to buy - as a nine year old).
you had to grow up in the late 70's to enjoy Hurricane - I love you you Phil Donahue more than you'll ever know and Oprah you can just fuck off the hell off......LMAO
What a shame. I couldn't believe that the radio station was playing Oh, Babe one morning while I was driving my husband to work. I hadn't heard it in many years. I got all excited, turned up the volume and went back to a simpler time in my life. Towards the end of the song it dawned on me that they must be playing it because Norman passed away and I was right. So very sad.....thank you for the happy memory, Hurricane and RIP.
I never knew all that stuff about him being involved with the Beatles, I just loved his two songs "oh babe" and "who was it." I think I played those 45's so much the needle just about wore through them! RIP Hurricane.
norman was a brilliant engineer..listen to rubber soul..sounds better recorded then revolver despite what is said...normans songs sound like gilbert o'sullivan....he wrote a book just before he died and i hope it gets released...his recollections of working with the beatles would be great to read...r.i.p norman...hope you're having a pint with john, george, mal, brian, the maharishi, derek, neil, linda............
Whoa, and I'm still reeling over the death of Neil Aspinall! Norman did stellar work as an EMI studio engineer and producer! His work on all the early Beatles and Pink Floyd records alone seals his legend. And he also produced the Pretty Things underrated psych-rock classic "S.F. Sorrow" (which inspired Pete Townsend to write "Tommy"). And he was quite charming as a performer and songwriter himself. RIP Norman.
Hi, there is a Japan only Hurricane CD called Don't let it Die. It features the first album plus all the hits and also includes Take Suki Home (for viewer below). You can get it mail-order in the UK from specialist suppliers.
Sorry, guess I slipped up saying he was 75 - he was actually 85 - that makesw me feel even older. Can't get hold of one of his albums anywhere. Can anyone help.
Only found out last night that Hurricane died two weeks ago and went to bad a little sadder because the world is now that bit poorer with the passing of such a talented and versatile man. RIP Hurricane Smith...
I can't believe he was 75 - bloody hell, makes me feel really old. I loved his records, this brings back so many memories, what a star. As long as I live I'll be playing his songs over and over. Great guy!
I just heard the news this morning about the passing of Norman Smith. R.I.P., Hurricane, and thanks for all the wonderful memories. You will be missed.
has any of you guys or dolls got 'take suki home'and if so will you upload it and mek this sad geezer smile agen. can't blieve he's passed away.radio 2 are you gonna comm m rate this guy?!!!!
Great song, wonderfully "period" video, beautiful sax, again. So sorry to hear of his passing. But surely he should not really be regarded as the 5th Beatle, but the 6th, after George Martin?
Heard rhe news that Hurricane Smith (Norman) passed away March 4th, 2008, aged 75. He worked as an engineer in with early records up until the Rubber Soul album. brings back such great memories of around 1973.
If its true that he convinced Gearge Martin to sign the Beatles then the world owes him a great deal. Thanks Normal Norman for your many contributions to music.
I always thought he had a great voice, the tone to me always sounded like the overdriven "buzzsaw" sound the sax had on his records, would've loved to have heard him do some bluesy soul stuff...
Can`t you just tell this song is one of Gilberts, without being told? Not that I`m complaining, I just recognise the style AND the ending, LOVE Gilberts song book, great singer and a great piece of footage, thank you very much for that, RIP Norman.
RIP Norman. Your work, not only as Hurricane, but as one of the REAL brains behind everything the Beatles ever did up to and including Rubber Soul is such an important part of the maybe single most inspirational phenomenon in my life.
IT WAS PHONE!
greenhound 2 months ago
brilliant,what a artist
royston0712 3 months ago
Great follow up to "Oh Babe." Played on WIP in Philly. Didn't know he died or even how old he was. RIP, Norman. Thanks for posting it.
MrTrashcan1 3 months ago
Norman 'Hurricane' Smith - RIP thankyou for your contribution to the good things.
Wrote to him once in the 90's and got a very nice reply regarding his own work and his work with The Beatles and Pink Floyd amongst others.
Norman Smith, record producer, was born on February 22, 1923. He died on March 3, 2008, aged 85
billbellart 5 months ago
A lovely record indeed and I recall it well when it was in the UK charts.
Glamagal20091 6 months ago
Happily, I am able to answer my own question here via a little internet detective work. His name is Frank Hardcastle and he is retired and living in Norfolk (England, not Virginia!) and it seems that his son, Jeff - in middle age - is just now learning to play the sax and clarinet. Frank played on both this song and the more famous (in the States, at least) Oh Babe, What Would You Say plus was the musical director on one of Norman/Hurricane's albums.
JJRaff18221882 6 months ago
Anyone know who Norman's saxophone player was here? Curious to know if he's still alive and still playing. Not a big fan of the sax, but he had an exceptionally fine sound.
JJRaff18221882 6 months ago
19 years before I was born but I can appreciate that music as much as anyone!
HeavensBrentfordFC 6 months ago
he holds the mic like a "proper" cup of tea!
rasputinslovechild1 10 months ago
wonderful!!!
zimbumbacchio 10 months ago
is this real life??
DOKt00n 10 months ago
una voz unica siempre me gusto ,de muy chico lo escuchaba en la radio y lo buscaba todo el tiempo en el dial .un idolo.
fabian9835 10 months ago
Well, if you listen to the words, he's a stalker and I think he's got her locked up in his basement...
FrankenSigns 11 months ago
Thanks YOUTUBE for letting us enjoy this music again.
ruthita418 11 months ago
R I P Hurricane .A true legend .
ruandted 1 year ago
I just love this lyric...this singer does it real justice
jcm330 1 year ago
This is hilarious!
henripche 1 year ago
Legend....
tomeich 1 year ago
his voice was unique. BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
edumusicouruguay 1 year ago
beautiful song written by the incredible gilbert o'sullivan.
MonXxSuun 1 year ago
I remember when DON'T LT IT DIE as a big smah hit in Brazil, about 1972.
buddyeagle 1 year ago
ademas fue ingeniero de abbey road studios. Grabo a los beatles hasta el 65 y co produjo los 3 primeros discos d floyd.
foketesz 1 year ago
I don't think I've actually heard this since the '70s. YouTube comes through again!
cbhagman 1 year ago 2
oh, my God, what a stupendous voice
SuperKarend 1 year ago 5
Amazing song,i believe g.osuliven wrte this one
tazzarman 1 year ago
wow ho trovato anche questa!!! Non pensavo... Hurricane Smith... me la ascolavo sempre prima della partita di pallavolo, non so perchè, ma mi dava una carica pazzesca! La dedico alle mie amicone Giovanna e Cristina..... ricordate??? che periodo meraviglioso!!
terrytega 1 year ago
This song.. hearing it on the radio, a few years ago, was my first realisation of the genuis of Hurricane Smith.. it ws then that I found my parter was as well
so and awesome man, and another bond betwen us.. little did i know, at the time, that I had loved his music since I was a child..
LadyJan007 1 year ago
His jazz background shone through in his wonderful unique music! I had ni idea he was so old!
taxidude 1 year ago
bring back the 70s and hurricane.r.i.p
4samson 1 year ago
Thanks for a great song. I always enjoyed listening to Hurricane Smith.
His voice is so different from evryonelse's. It is kind of an in between Louis Armstriong and carol Channing.
I love it and it brings great memories from my youger days driving on the B.Q.E'. in my yellow VW 'beetle' in the early 70's. R.I.P. Hurricane. You are still appreciated by many.
VIRIATO1942 1 year ago
This song will always remind me of when I was 11 yr old in 1972, just started in secondary modern school in Shifnal, Shropshire, and the song will be always associated with the shortbread biscuit the school served as dessert. How songs and memories of childhood intertwine can bring a tear to a glass eye!
moeran1944 1 year ago
John Lennon called him "Normal Norman" Because he always stayed sensible when everyone else was whacked out! lol
ivanmullan6000 1 year ago
He was an engineer at Abbey Road, Norman Smith, worked on most of the Beatles tracks......
rekkies99 1 year ago
this guy uased to produce the beatles ...nuff said ....brilliant.
miff1957 1 year ago
I rememeber this so well .. and never thought before how much he sounds slightly like Gilbert O`Sullivan
Daracdor 1 year ago
I was just listening to the song and thought,wow this guys style is like gilbert osullivan,then i read the headline lol,brill song and a unique style,memories !!
tazzarman 1 year ago
Anyone know if Auntie Vi's is available anywhere???
TheEmilio44 1 year ago
lol! I'd completely forgotten this song. Ta, cheers, and thanks for this! :)
catjoescreed 1 year ago
Yes azitis, it is on YouTube now (4-28-2010).
Ohmeibalzich 1 year ago
An absolute belter! R.I.P Hurricane!
bagpuss211 1 year ago
el del saxo es Edmundo Rivero lookeado?? :)
taticarzo 1 year ago
@taticarzo Si claro, y Smith es Roberto Galán con pelo largo. !!!
ja ja ja...muy bueno lo tuyo Tati.....saludos de Tandil
LLIGADANO55 1 year ago
Love this song....so sweet :)
src1959 1 year ago
Thats wasnt so bad. Thats was actually pretty good! :-)
starguard 1 year ago
brings back so many good memories.. heard this so much as a kid... my mum had the single.. on B side was a song called 'Take Suki Home'..cant find that anywhere... how did blokes get away with hair like that ... and moustaches?...mind u i had hair like that.. Fashion .. ha ha ha... 10/10 the song
zmileyman 1 year ago
Great stuff! Music was such fun and so enjoyable to listen to back then.
michaeljayklein 1 year ago
Genius. What a beautiful voice. R.I.P. Norm.
MattyDoable 1 year ago
I wholeheartedly agree, shame that they don't write 'em like this anymore! Hurricane Smith was way too good for his own good, more especially with his distnctive style of singing!
bagpuss211 1 year ago
@bagpuss211, I have a theory that they DO still write 'em like this, it just doesn't get recorded. Why not? Because the music industry is afraid to take chances. In the old days they usually made money no matter what they put out, even things that were a bit offbeat. And sometimes offbeat artists would be the next big thing. Today the industry is struggling, thanks to us and our free Internet downloads. They won't take chances, and will invest only in music that follows the same boring formula.
rachelazw 1 year ago
To peeterpoon,
Yes - you are right - I thought the same thing- same idea as Sheena Easton "Morning Train" - her's being many years after this!
Maxsyl24 1 year ago
I remember the song "Oh Babe What Would You Say" back in 1972 / 73. It brings back some fond memories of when I was only 13 years old. But I never heard this song "Who Was It" until just recently but I very quickly clued in that it was Hurricain Smith because I thought the voice of the frontman sounded familair. Good old Norman Smith.
unhooked25 2 years ago
WHAT A BEAUTY!!!!!
fjbutch 2 years ago
Hurricane was simply brillliant, thanks.
fivegallon22 2 years ago
Wow, I sure loved that simplistically strange lil' video!! Thanx Azitis for sharing it!!
weenielongus 2 years ago
UN MONSTRUO SIN IMAGEN
tatodadentro 2 years ago
Anybody notice the similarity between the opening of this song and Sheena Easton's "Morning Train."
peeterpoon 2 years ago
people. those were the 60's and 70's. Peace love refer and sex. Many people walked around with stars in their eyes. That is a fact lol
mrblue2008 2 years ago
Love him so much, he reminds me of my ssssssssssssssssssssons father, RIP.
He might be ripped, but, Lennon called him Normal.
????
Minimouser1 2 years ago
si ,es el palito ortega montonero
delicadaisis 2 years ago
Is he ripped?...look at his eyes....
777collie 2 years ago
Can anybody tell me where I can get his first album on cd?
jensen220 2 years ago
the man was a genius..love his music
myacegame 2 years ago 19
@myacegame This is nostalgia rock like winchester cathedral when im 64 you get the idea
spacepatrolman 3 months ago
Un ídolo total, gracias por esta canción. Otro abrazo argentino.
xavierbusto 2 years ago
arrr i used to love this guy dont let it die was one my fav he got such an unusual gravely voice x only one can say that reminds me of gibert osullivan but hurracane was the best
wolfgoddess48 2 years ago 3
Comment removed
edudela1 2 years ago
absolutamente de acuerdo contigo .thanks abrazo argentino
edudela1 2 years ago
we need to name a hurricane after this guy - he's one off. fantastic.
gasgas270 2 years ago
mejor version inclusive que la del autor .R.I.P.Norman
edudela1 2 years ago
outstanding, such memories, thank you for posting.
Ram on,
Joe.
kringles4 2 years ago
Is he still alive! great voice
tazzarman 2 years ago
Yes he is still alive....
kringles4 2 years ago
Unfortunately Hurricane died last year - a great artist.
djs1959 2 years ago
NO. He passed away March, 2008 at age 85.
elliott021 2 years ago
Seriously, that is a huge shock to me as a young person who only discovered his work about two years ago.
ColumRogers 2 years ago
This is 100% awesome!
voodoolife 2 years ago
Es erinnert mich einfach an meine Jugend. Und es war genial. Ich liebe Hurricane und Gilbert.
Buddykatze
Buddykatze 2 years ago
EXTRA VIDEO
Newmen24 2 years ago
i think norman had a unique voice which suited the melodies he chose perfectly not only a genious in producing but not a bad performer himself :) r.i.p norman
tiasarahellielorna 2 years ago
This is what,s great about you tube , you can find absolute treasures like this that you might never have seen again .Hurricane was great !
JohnMcCash 2 years ago
I'm watching this and thinking that the 80's wasn't really the birth of music videos,eh?
prettybionic 2 years ago
cannot get enough!! so in the 70's when I was listening....please everyone tell Pablo668 to PLEASE do this song....they would be great!!!
MyaPapaya74 2 years ago
"I knew that -'snapshotsid'. He also engineered Beatles Albums as well" !
beethovenbix 2 years ago
I love Hurricane Smith.!
You are so right, What ever happened to this music?
Minimouser1 2 years ago
This guy is great and so classic!! What ever happened to this type of music? Hurricane Smith rocks in my book! A great artist!
MyaPapaya74 2 years ago
i LOVE THIS VIDEO,
Thank you for sharing it with us !
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Minimouser1 2 years ago
great music and memories thank you
andyjet2 2 years ago
you would have to live in the 70's to understand what this song meant to people. if you were not there then why comment on something you know nothing about
24368010 2 years ago 14
@24368010 i was there, and i quite agree with you.
yarphaian 1 year ago
@24368010 couldn't have stated it more precisely myself The music during this music is appreciated by many youngsters today -- Those questioning its greatness will someday realize its melodic and memorable impact and unquestioned superiority to anything in the last 25 years
cathode1990 1 year ago
He is actually Tommy Smith, legendary Anfield hard man!
snapshotsid 2 years ago
dont talk like a fucking dick- ead, you prick.
margatelad 2 years ago
Learn to spell margetlad. Well, just for you, in your language, I kniw mare abit Hurricane Smith thatn yoi evar wood you twit. And I missed the "a" out deliberately you twat.
snapshotsid 2 years ago
He was one of the engineers on Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Bet none of you knew that!
snapshotsid 2 years ago
EXCELLENT! I have the promotional copy 45!
45sGuy 2 years ago
Didn't know that about Gilbert O'sullivan but now you mention it it has his stamp all over it and I can well imagine him singing it. All that's different is the Sax work that is typical of Hurricane Smith. Great artist and made a huge contibution to the music scene.
stixmix2375 2 years ago
Gilbert O' Sullivan wrote this song.
Bellyflops2 3 years ago
Thanks so much for posting this video. Just listened to my 45 of this today - forgot I even had it. So sorry to hear that Hurricane is gone. Thanks for great memories, just loved your songs. Sing on on the other side.
RenieBrd 3 years ago
Fantastic!
Loved all of Mr Smith's songs...played them constantly.
So sad to hear of his passing.
Thank you so much for the music Mr Smith.
RIP XX
slipping2 3 years ago
Fantastic - takes me back to my childhood.
Alpal1959 3 years ago
A great song and a great (and an odd...) singer. But why is it so difficult to find his music?
WhamBlam99 3 years ago
Wow! I've been looking for this song with Hurricane for months! I used to listen to it quite a lot when i was a kid. Great song and a great voice.
RalphMcFikus 3 years ago
So sorry to hear of his passing. What a unique voice. RIP Hurricane Smith.
mrsgstd 3 years ago
Great song... makes me smile :D
tonmontana 3 years ago
Great producer in his time, a unique singing voice too.
R.I.P Norman.
RadioBazterd 3 years ago
What a happy song - all his songs were great- why he didnt last longer I don't know.
random2098 3 years ago
Norman "Hurricane" Smith was born in 1923. He was 85 this year. A fine run, as things go, and an illustrious carreer, having given us the original sound of bothe the Beatles (as aformentioned, an engineer at EMI) and Pink Floyd. He died March 3. RIP.
josephicusmagnus 3 years ago
I had no idea he was a much older pop star. Great version.
markdelaney 3 years ago
He did look like jason king.
wonderd why i liked him, got same birthday good pisces man
mrshenley1980 3 years ago
Only time in history that the clothes manufacturers and the auto manufacturers used the same colour swatches.
DigitalGrotto 3 years ago
HAHAHA. Thats absolutely true. You have the choice of chrome side moldings or a black vinyl top.
brougham89 3 years ago
omg i had no idea huricane smith was white..
hardtoesxplain 3 years ago
yup. He used to be The Beatles engineer at EMI.
jaredgetsacookie 3 years ago
Just had to comment again. What a great song
by a great artist.
zzzlazy1zzz 3 years ago
I love this song too, y I like both versions (Gilbert O´Sullivan and this one of H. Smith). It makes me remind my childwood!!!
shauna60 3 years ago 3
I love this song! It reminds me of my children when they were little. Oh, what memories of us dancing to this music. We love the Beatles too! Thank you so much Hurricane!!
Bucky568 3 years ago
RIP Norman and thanks for everything that you gave to music :)
rotory2002 3 years ago 4
Norman Smith had as bad a voice as Sonny Bono but, he's still fun to listen to. When I first heard this song I though it WAS Sonny Bono!
pm0501 3 years ago
@pm0501 It couldn't possibly have been Sonny Bono---give the devil his due, at least Hurricane Smith could stay in key. Shame, though, that Smith's best performance doesn't get heard as often as this one, the flip side of "Who Was It," a song called "Take Suki Home" . . .
EasyAce 1 year ago
i just realised my dea hurricaine had died!!omg i put this as one of my favs wen i first went on here last year!even tho oh babe i was looking for-i added you before every one else!!!RIP HURRICAINE!!!
sarahknight07 3 years ago 2
the sax is great too!!!jesus im still in shock !!!i wish i knew!its bad knowing a guy you write in blogs as a music muse has passed over!!shit im sorry hurricainE!!!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
sarahknight07 3 years ago
I bought this album when it first came out, and loved every song on it. It was way too much fun and different. Killer voice and sense of humor.
redtws 3 years ago
You made my day, azitis.
This is so rare.
jerste 3 years ago
I loved hurricane smith - just fab!
coracleman 3 years ago
How pop videos have changed! Such nostalgia though, great togs & boy isn't it just fun eh!
postermix1 3 years ago
This guy is cool. And I like AC/DC. Go figure
deals2k 3 years ago
anyone have the guitar chords?
aackpht 3 years ago
sweet lyric...and a bang-up sax
jcm330 3 years ago
He also engineered along with George Martin all the Beatles songs up till 1965. The last Beatle album he worked on as an engineer was Rubber Soul. He also engineered quite a few of Pink Floyd's early albums.
vonperrick 3 years ago
Smith had written a song which the Beatles seriously considered recording for the "Help" LP in '65 until they realized that that they still needed a Ringo vocal for the album and had to scrap the idea in lieu of "Act Naturally."
louienye 3 years ago
'Getting to know you' was the other side of Oh Babe What would you say. Does anyone have this? (This was the first record I wanted to buy - as a nine year old).
closedcircle1 3 years ago
He should have had a much more noteworthy career. He was a great singer and his songs had a nice bounce to them.
thomas3570 3 years ago
such a distintive voice love it thanx for sharing!!!!
watchmewheels 3 years ago
Everyone (including me) has been praising Hurricane Smith-and rightfully so but how about the great sax player in Who Was It? and Oh Babe?
Very impressive.
zzzlazy1zzz 3 years ago
great singer ,more vid clips please
tizzy73 3 years ago
you had to grow up in the late 70's to enjoy Hurricane - I love you you Phil Donahue more than you'll ever know and Oprah you can just fuck off the hell off......LMAO
Lynnie245 3 years ago
What a shame. I couldn't believe that the radio station was playing Oh, Babe one morning while I was driving my husband to work. I hadn't heard it in many years. I got all excited, turned up the volume and went back to a simpler time in my life. Towards the end of the song it dawned on me that they must be playing it because Norman passed away and I was right. So very sad.....thank you for the happy memory, Hurricane and RIP.
vlorshmat 3 years ago
Great song by a great performer. I didn't realize he was that old when he passed away.
"Oh Babe, What Would You Say"? was another
great song.
zzzlazy1zzz 3 years ago
Anybody have a copy of Hurricane singing "Getting To Know You?"
peeterpoon 3 years ago
I have it on 45
Lynnie245 3 years ago
I have it on 45
Lynnie245 3 years ago
it gets better every time i hear it - RIP Norman
stevie1961x 3 years ago 2
I never knew all that stuff about him being involved with the Beatles, I just loved his two songs "oh babe" and "who was it." I think I played those 45's so much the needle just about wore through them! RIP Hurricane.
cowgirlathart4 3 years ago 2
norman was a brilliant engineer..listen to rubber soul..sounds better recorded then revolver despite what is said...normans songs sound like gilbert o'sullivan....he wrote a book just before he died and i hope it gets released...his recollections of working with the beatles would be great to read...r.i.p norman...hope you're having a pint with john, george, mal, brian, the maharishi, derek, neil, linda............
MutantLarva 3 years ago
he was a glider pilot in ww2..this man did everything..god bless norman
SpliffPete 3 years ago
yes norman was great..i read geoff emericks book...i still say revolver would have sounded like revolver if norman engineered it...maybe better
MutantLarva 3 years ago
Sorry, but he looks more like a serial killer with that moustache... still ... discovered the floyd ... so what a guy by me
curlycreature 3 years ago
A true great! RIP Mr smith
davewoking 3 years ago
The man was a legend. I had no idea he was that old. RIP Norm
DJVYEATES 3 years ago
Whoa, and I'm still reeling over the death of Neil Aspinall! Norman did stellar work as an EMI studio engineer and producer! His work on all the early Beatles and Pink Floyd records alone seals his legend. And he also produced the Pretty Things underrated psych-rock classic "S.F. Sorrow" (which inspired Pete Townsend to write "Tommy"). And he was quite charming as a performer and songwriter himself. RIP Norman.
captaineasychord1 3 years ago
i heard he had died in March aged 85 ...shame there was no mention in the press because he was truly a superb singer back in the 70s....R.I.P.
mal334455 3 years ago
You know, he looks a bit like George Harrison with that moustache...
elperromagico 3 years ago
Very nice...
pap1nha 3 years ago
Hi, there is a Japan only Hurricane CD called Don't let it Die. It features the first album plus all the hits and also includes Take Suki Home (for viewer below). You can get it mail-order in the UK from specialist suppliers.
gingersnapsx 3 years ago
Sorry, guess I slipped up saying he was 75 - he was actually 85 - that makesw me feel even older. Can't get hold of one of his albums anywhere. Can anyone help.
dixielander27 3 years ago
iTunes.
Josh3193552 3 years ago
My six year old son is now a big fan
fjbutch 3 years ago
Last comment should have read 'went to bed a little sadder'....!
47millionvictors 3 years ago
Its ok, I went to bed a bit sadder.
neorunt 3 years ago
Only found out last night that Hurricane died two weeks ago and went to bad a little sadder because the world is now that bit poorer with the passing of such a talented and versatile man. RIP Hurricane Smith...
47millionvictors 3 years ago
I can't believe he was 75 - bloody hell, makes me feel really old. I loved his records, this brings back so many memories, what a star. As long as I live I'll be playing his songs over and over. Great guy!
dixielander27 3 years ago
I just heard the news this morning about the passing of Norman Smith. R.I.P., Hurricane, and thanks for all the wonderful memories. You will be missed.
toidhh22 3 years ago
has any of you guys or dolls got 'take suki home'and if so will you upload it and mek this sad geezer smile agen. can't blieve he's passed away.radio 2 are you gonna comm m rate this guy?!!!!
jitch17 3 years ago
Sounds like a Gilbert O'Sullivan number. Great foot-tapper, has to be said. Not so sure about Norm's red pyjamas or dance moves, though!
paulkirkwood 3 years ago
Great song, wonderfully "period" video, beautiful sax, again. So sorry to hear of his passing. But surely he should not really be regarded as the 5th Beatle, but the 6th, after George Martin?
ccmanmgcs 3 years ago
QUALITY. R I P Norman And THANKS for everything
REDHOTUKM 3 years ago
HURRICANE was a breath of fresh air and the light is a little dimmer for is passing may is beat go on a diamond geezer
159121921 3 years ago 3
1970s was a bad time for hair and clothing style ...good song though he always reminded me of Johnny Ray singing..
Atomicflash500 3 years ago
Heard rhe news that Hurricane Smith (Norman) passed away March 4th, 2008, aged 75. He worked as an engineer in with early records up until the Rubber Soul album. brings back such great memories of around 1973.
alenara33 3 years ago 2
85!
Tempus Fugit.
nacnud962 3 years ago
"dont let it die " is a classic. always love you hurricane. god bless
barchardy 3 years ago
If its true that he convinced Gearge Martin to sign the Beatles then the world owes him a great deal. Thanks Normal Norman for your many contributions to music.
Ahzdiosh 3 years ago 2
Thanks for it all.... R.I.P
FIREBLADEONE 3 years ago
great memories from great music Hurricane, R.I.P. mate
fjbutch 3 years ago
Great song ,great performance ! we need a hurricane smith cd release NOW!
romanyman 3 years ago 3
I always thought he had a great voice, the tone to me always sounded like the overdriven "buzzsaw" sound the sax had on his records, would've loved to have heard him do some bluesy soul stuff...
knobstick 3 years ago
Thanks for the great music. RIP Norman
twattee 3 years ago
Can`t you just tell this song is one of Gilberts, without being told? Not that I`m complaining, I just recognise the style AND the ending, LOVE Gilberts song book, great singer and a great piece of footage, thank you very much for that, RIP Norman.
dtv67 3 years ago
He's 49 here! Looks nearly as good as me!
1960sbabe 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Beatle engineers doing karaoke..What`s next, Colonel Parker doing a strip act?
Edhallick 3 years ago
Who was it that tried to kiss you,
In spite a very definate no?
And who was it that managed to succeed,
In getting it with your fists down below?
ChristerJoeShibbol 3 years ago
RIP Norman. Your work, not only as Hurricane, but as one of the REAL brains behind everything the Beatles ever did up to and including Rubber Soul is such an important part of the maybe single most inspirational phenomenon in my life.
NasseHasse 3 years ago