Born into a Cajun family in Louisiana, Warren Schexnider spoke only French until the third grade and was often scolded by teachers for his limited English. Like his father, who played in local Cajun and Country & Western bands in the late 1940s, he grew up listening to Faron Young, Hank Williams, and Lefty Frizzell. In 1952, at just 15, he toured with Larry Brasso and the Rythmaires.

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Several years later, he joined Herb Landry’s Serenaders, where he developed a deeper appreciation for rhythm and blues. Inspired by Fats Domino’s drummer, Charlie “Hungry” Williams, Warren formed his own band in 1956, first known as the Wee-Wows and later as the Jive Masters. During this period he adopted the stage name Warren Storm, borrowing his last name from pop singer Gale Storm.

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In 1958 he auditioned for Crowley record producer J.D. Miller and signed a recording contract. His first major hit, “The Prisoner’s Song,” backed with “Mania, Mama, Mama (Look What Your Little Boy Done),” climbed the Billboard Top 100 and peaked at No. 51.

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Other releases followed, including “Troubles, Troubles (Troubles on My Mind),” “So Long, So Long (Goodbye, Goodbye),” and “Birmingham Bar.” In 1963, he teamed up with Rod Bernard and Skip Stewart to form The Shondells. Warren also played drums on Dale & Grace’s No. 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.”

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During the 1980s, Storm recorded “Things Have Gone to Pieces” and “Please, Mr. Sandman” with Cypress Storm. Around 2000, he experienced a resurgence in popularity after joining the Lil’ Band of Gold, an all-star South Louisiana group. On September 5, 2010, Warren Storm was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. He is also an honored member of the Museum of the Gulf Coast, Music Hall of Fame.