This is a fan page - a tribute to one of the best rockabilly "revivalist" bands of the late 70s and early 80s.
One of the first significant bands to emerge from the British rockabilly revival scene, Whirlwind was a potent live attraction in the U.K. and helped establish a tenuous but important link between the roots rock community and the growing punk rock underground. Whirlwind was formed in 1976 by singer Nigel Dixon and drummer Phil Hardy, both of whom were regulars at the Unit One Club in Uxbridge, near West London. Both Dixon and Hardy were fans of first-era rock & roll, and joined forces with Mike Lewis on guitar and Chris Emo on bass to begin storming the London club circuit. After a successful residency at the legendary club the Speakeasy, Whirlwind became a hot attraction in London and earned many fans on the burgeoning punk/new wave scene by opening for the likes of the Clash, Elvis Costello & the Attractions and Ian Dury & the Blockheads. Chiswick Records, home to such proto-punk notables as the Count Bishops, the Gorillas and Johnny Moped, signed Whirlwind to a recording contract in 1977, and after a pair of singles issued the group's debut album, Blowing Up a Storm, in January 1978. Not long after the album was released, Hardy left the band, but the group remained busy, with Gary Hassett taking over behind the traps. The group embarked on major U.K. road trip opening for Blondie, but by the end of the tour, Hassett had developed a serious health problem and the band called it a day before the second album "Midnight Blue" was even released. Nigel Dixon later sang with Havana 3 A.M., led by Paul Simonon, formerly of the Clash. Dixon lost his life to cancer in 1993; the disease also claimed Phil Hardy the same year. An anthology of Whirlwind's Chiswick material, In the Studio, was released in 1995.
Liner notes of "Blowing Up A Storm" (Chiswick, 1977)
The Arizona desert in mid-summer, the smoke room, Casey's Bar, Long Island, the kitchen of Greasy Lil's at two in the morning: All hot but none so hot as the latest teenabilly band to emerge from the sock hops and end of term dance circuit. When your needle hits the first groove of the first LP by Whirlwind you'd better get straight on down to your dealer's and stock up with some spares 'cos buddy you're gonna need 'em.This is the big one! Whirlwind has blown in! Still wet behind the ears in the big wide world but well versed in the noble art of Rockabilly these four young guys are set to send teenage hearts fluttering throughout the land. Lead vocalist Nigel Dixon should know as with his sharp looks and throbbing vocal chords he cuts a dash with the chicks on live dates. Brought up on a diet of Elvis, Jack Palance and The Lone Ranger, Nigel likes to relax with a tub of Southern Fried chicken whilst watching a Roy Rogers movie. But when he gets down to business just listen how he handles songs like Rockin' Daddy or One More Chance. And of course for tender moods Nigel comes on strong with the big ballads. Girls will flip over A Thousand Stars.Behind that powerful lead voice lies a menacing guitar. Soaring away whenever Nigel yells for him to 'hit it', Michael 'Redhead' Lewis proves himself to be quite a guitarist. Dividing his time up between laying down those hot Whirlwind licks, straddling his powerful motorbike and simply cruisin' downtown to take in all the chicks, Michael likes to take time out to catch up on some good reading. He is currently deep into a documented study of the Mayas as well as never missing an episode of The Perishers.Whirlwind's famous backbeat evolves from two guys who know their trade like fixing the mufflers on their pick-up truck. It all comes real easy for Chris Emo and Phil 'Foghorn' Hardy when they're carving out a solid foundation on the bass guitar and drums for Whirlwind fans to bop to. Jeez! I'm talking about the real McCoy with these two dudes. I mean in their final year they so impressed the folks at school when Whirlwind cut loose at the graduation ball that they were immediately forgiven for all that time they had snook off for band rehearsals when they should really have had their heads deeply in their study-books. Chris's ambitions are simple: He just wants to earn money and spend money and take in a few lady friends on the way. While Phil is made of sterner stuff. Decked out in a pair of black strides and with a packet of smokes and a stiff drink in his palm, the world is his. North, South, East, West the four corners of Whirlwind have drawn together to produce this, the best rock 'n' roll has to offer.
After being spotted by Ted Carroll one night while taking on a glow in a West End bar, the fellows were soon talking deals and contracts and were signed to Chiswick within days. The result of that chance meeting lies right here. So be the first on your block to rap about your favorite new rockin' combo, Whirlwind, and if your folks crash the scene while you're digging the goods, why not turn them on to the walkin' strollin' sound of the latest craze ... the really gone, WHIRLWIND!
Teenage Boogie
Cruisin' around
Tore Apart
