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Warren Storm
(1937)

Born Warren Schexnider, in Abbeveille, Louisiana, February 18,1937, Warren Storm is today known as an outstanding swamp pop vocalist, as well as a talented drummer. Coming from a Cajun background, Warren spoke only French until the third grade, and was often scolded by teachers for his lack of English skills. Like his father, who played in local Cajun and country-and-western bands in 1948, singing the hits of Faron Young, Hank Williams, and Lefty Frizzell. In 1952, when he was just 15, he toured with Larry Brasso and the Rythmaires. Warren continued with the band for some years until joining Herb Landry's Serenaders, where he was further inspired by rhythm & blues. Learning from Fats Domino's drummer, Charlie "Hungry" Williams, Warren formed a band in 1956, known as the Wee-Wows, supposedly, from the expressions his fans made when he played his drum solos.

It was during this time that Warren took on a new persona, taking his new last name from a famous pop-singer of the time, Gayle Storm. Renaming the band the Jive Masters, they played throughout Acdiana, performing the hit tunes of "Fats" and Elvis Presley. By 1958 he had auditioned for and signed a contract with Crowley record producer, J.D. Miller. Storm, then 21, agreed to cut a recording at Miller's Studio. This turned out to be his first major hit, "The Prisoner's Song" the flip side being, Mama, Mama, Mama, (look what Your Little Boy Done)". Released on the Nasco label "The Prisoner's Song" shot to Billboard's Top 100 chart, peaking at #51. Other releases included "Troubles, Troubles (Troubles on My Mind)", "So Long, So Long, (Goodbye, Goodbye)", and "Brimingham Bar?" In the early 1960's he formed a new band, The Wanderers, but in 1963 joined with Rod Bernard and Skip Stewart to create The Shondells. That same year Warren played back-up drums for Dale & Grace's #1 hit "I'm Leaving it up to You." With the band, Bad Weather he recorded several regional hits, including "Lord, I need Somebody Bad Tonight" and "My House of Memories". During the 1980's, with the band Cypress, Storm recorded "Things Have Gone to Pieces,"and "Please, Mr. Sandman" on Heuy Meaux's Starfight label. Storm is still active in the regional market.

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