Interview from Tokyo!
"A minute with "Hurricane" Duane Thomas" of Johnny & The Hurricane's.
With Interviewer Isaki Tumuchi, Tokyo, Japan May 2009
*The following interview is at times in both Japanese and English. Translations are where possible.
*LA/H.Shelter Crew/USA
Isaki: "Konnichiwa Duane!"
Duane: "Minasan konnichiwa!" (Hello everybody!)
Isaki: "O-genki desu ka Duane?" (How are you Duane?)
Duane: "O kagesama de genki desu! O hisashiburi desu ne!" (I'm fine thanks! How are you? Long time no see!)
Isaki: "Nihongo o hanashimasu ka? (Do you speak Japanese?) My English is no too good, as is your Japanese is better!
Duane: "Hai, hanashimasu" (Yes…a little). Actually, one of my Stage managers gave me a phrase they said I should learn 1st. It was " Watashi no hobākurafuto wa unagi de ippai desu". They were messin' with me. It means something like "My boat is full of eels!" And I fell for it. Well…Im sure we can understand each other one way or the other! You speak English fine!
Isaki: "Johnny has died and you alone make his music live?
Duane: "No Isaki. John made the music. I just inherited it and all else with Sonja his wife. His music belongs to him alone."
Isaki: "Very fortunate to have 2 people dedicated to his Hurricanes and your music."
Duane: "Thanks. Ive been very blessed. Johnny's life story hopes to be a major motion picture very soon. It's authored by Sonja Paris and myself from his diaries and musical history books. Anyone interested in the beginnings of Rock & Roll music, will love "SAX MAN"."
Isaki: "We love "Beatnik Fly" and "Red River Rock" and the others here in Japan. Its almost new music to us. But, no singing!?"
Duane: "Ha ha! You mean you can't do Karaoke to us! Well…that’s one strike against us!"
Isaki: "NO Please! In Japan, this twist-surf music from America has always been played here. It is…I mean… you are… very important musicians to us here!"
Duane: "Thank you for that. Im only one part of a 50 year legacy.
I do find it odd that here I am in Tokyo, when in the mid-1980's, Johnny and the entire group was placed on a 747 to Japan all alone, and under house arrest by your country!"
Isaki: "We arrested the Hurricanes! Japan arrested you? For what? Why?"
Duane: "Yep. Sure did ! Seems the papers were not in order so they put us into separate rooms away from our instruments for 5 days until the Embassy could straighten it all out."
Isaki: "I think I feel you joke with me here, right?"
Duane: "No Joke my friend. It really happened!"
Isaki: "That was then and now…we hear your music still everywhere, all the time, everyplace."
Duane: "Oh! So YOURE the guys downloading us from ITUNES! Seriously Isaki…we receive royalties from around the world every quarter, and we do still sell 1,000's of sales units in Asia all the time. Its constant. Even China."
Isaki: "I read that an Anthology for the music is coming out? Will it have all 9 or 10 of the hits on it?"
Duane: "We have over 60 tunes and hits on the Anthology now. What will remain when it hits…who knows? But, Johnny & The Hurricanes have over 100 songs published worldwide thru BMI. We have a song in the movie "TRAINS, PLANES & AUTOMOBILES" with Steve Martin and John Candy. The same song is also in Episode #74 of "The Sopranos". That was one big royalty check!"
Isaki: "It did make the Hurricanes very wealthy with those hits, no?"
Duane: "Not in the old days. We were shafted for most of the money. Its in the book. I cant discuss any current figures…but lets just say the one payment for The Sopranos was about a years salary for some blue-collar workers back in the states. It veries from little and into thousands each and every quarter. We never know until one of the lawyers calls either from Sweden, LA or New York and tells us they made a deposit. Now that I think of it…they always call when there a balance on the legal fees!"
Isaki: "We in Japan too know how important is intellectual properties. Stories, words, music and plays. We love your Hurricanes music and wish you could come play for us!"
Duane: "Well…anythings possible except getting the Hurricanes back together. Some original members are still alive. But as long as Johnny stays dead…there will never be another performance by the group. You COULD get ME over here! (Looking out the station window) There seems to be an over-abundance of young ladies, girls, women and a few guys even out there. Fans are always so nice. And we still have a huge fan base here and around the world."
Isaki: "You see how many fans still like your BEATNIK FLY and CROSSFIRE."
Duane: "Well, if today is any indication…Im glad the 2 Security men with me are big enough! I was swamped at the airport, approached at the Hotel, gave an autograph to the taxi driver, and have been waving at all these cute little ladies all day. (Waving out to the street where one sign reads "We love RED RIVER ROCK & THE HURRICANES!" WE LOVE HURRICANE DUANE!) I don’t know whether to blush or laugh!"
Isaki: "I saw that. Not surprising at all. Many Japanese fans ask for the Hurricanes music. Many emails we received about you coming today."
Duane: "That’s real nice! I had surgery recently and woke up in the damn OR and the Nurses were asking me for autographs! In post-op surgery no less! Here I was half-unconcious, and scribbling with a pen I couldnt hold!"
Isaki: "On No! Surgery? Are you alright now?"
Duane: For today yes, but really? Im not sure Isaki. Found something…took it out…found something else…and so the journey continues. Either way, Im fine with things. Ive been blessed in my life. Had a wonderful woman after High School, and I ruined it bad. Tried it again with someone else, and it was a big mistake as well. So, you learn and move on. Hopefully for the better."
Isaki: "Anata wa kekkon shite imasu ka? (Are you married?)You not married now again still, yes?"
Duane: (Laughing) Oh no, Im very much happily married and have been together over 23 years. She is 10 years younger than I. I'd like to think she keeps me young, and I bring her up a little bit. She is a fine Videographer of musical groups and events. Shes done hundreds of them. All kinds of famous people. And then theres Lucky."
Isaki: "You named child LUCKY?"
Duane: (Laughing again) "Might as well be my child. He's a 15 pound Schnoodle. He
does tricks…backflips and things. And he loves walks. He takes ME on them all the time.
And he takes my spot in bed."
Isaki: "Maybe it is you are gone for Hurricanes too much often?"
Duane: "Between me an Officers at Ford Motor Company, Atila Records and The Hurricanes Shelter Offices in Phoenix, Michigan and Perrysburg Ohio…Throw in a few foreign country stops and….Im gone so much from home…every time I DO get in…Lucky pees on MY leg!"
Isaki: " Sumimasen, chotto o-tazune shimasu ? (Excuse me. Can I ask you something?) So, the Hurricanes music Anthology is out. The book is out as well? And, you are here now for promotions and some interviews right? No playing?"
Duane: "No, not in Japan as yet. I will be performing at some summer festivals in downtown Detroit in a few weeks. There are 3 really, really fine groups Im guesting with."
Isaki "And about the book?"
Duane: "Here is the story on that. Johnny passed and left the diaries to Sonja his wife. Sonja and I cleaned, sold and moved all of 50 years of files, music, equipment, records…a school bus, van and a Cessna Airplane...cleaned and auctioned the estate out, and began and eventually finished "SAX MAN" Johnny Paris's life story. We're hoping for a major motion picture instead. If that happens…the book may never come out. You'd have to go see the movie!"
Isaki: "Gokoūn o inorimasu!"(Good Luck!)
Duane: "Domo arigato." (Thank you!)
Isaki: "We will always love to dance and listen many times to the Hurricanes happy music!'
Duane: "Sumimasen!(Excuse me!) Please Isaki! It is and forever will be only JOHNNY & the Hurricanes. Without John, there will never be another group. Some members tried, but we shut 'em down. I have shut down videos from Youtube and sites like it anytime we hear or see something on the group. WE own the rights. WE own the trademark and the copyrights. And only WE grant permission to use. And I almost never grant that. And we have lawyers here and in the Uk and Europe. All with very large snapping teeth! Enough people have stolen from John and the group over the years, and it stops now. Enough."
Isaki: "Very honorable. Good. You still are a Motown family member too?"
Duane: "Yes I am. Many famous artists, engineers, producers and big names… fans too…belong to SOULFUL DETROIT FORUMS. I am a senior member and a "ZENITH"…which is top of the line in respect and honor. We all are a big happy family of Motown Records and of Soul supporters. I have many many famous friends…the key word being 'friends'...because, bottom line…we are all the same there, and deserve equal respect."
Isaki: "It has been a pleasure Mr. Hurricane to learn about the music and where it is going to. Are you making any new music for yourself?"
Duane: 'Actually, yes I am. I'm in the studio daily. Cleaning up my late friend and brothers Master tapes and…"
Isaki: "I heard about…Paul is it? Passing away, yes?"
Duane: "Yes. Im lost without him after everyday of 43 years. We were closer than brothers. We were almost the same person…but Im moving on with my own music again. My agents, and stage managers more or less ordered me to leave Pauls stuff be, and move on. Since I love, know and trust them…Im doing what they suggest."
ISaki: "Hurricane Duane makes new Hurricane Music!"
Duane "No! Not anything like the hits. Ive several coming out that will be available. One is "The In Crowd", not mine but by Mitchel Musso…and another by me called (obviously) "Hurricane's a comin''…and a third Christian song called
"Isn’t it amazing what a prayer can do?!"
Isaki: "Sir! So busy! And you have normal job!"
Duane: "With that, Im fortunate. Im the Supervisor of around16 Officers and ensure the safety of over 2,500 employees in the Ford Motors WHQ. I work shifts when and however I assign, but am on call for any and everything regarding building management issues 24/7 everyday, 7 days a week. Again, I love my job and Regent Court WHQ."
Isaki: " Doko ka iki tai tokoro wa ari masu ka? (Is there anyplace you'd like to go?)
Duane: (Laughing) "Yes! To bed! I have jet lag so bad, I think my body is still back in Detroit!"
Isaki: "Itsu modotte ki masu ka?" (When are you going back?)
Duane: " Asatte ie ni kaeri masu" (Im returning the day after tomorrow.) God willing, sometime soon I hope Ill be back to see you all. Right now Im coasting thru due to my health. But, Ill be ok…and Ill be back one day. Hey! Book me a concert here in Tokyo or Kyoto!"
Isaki: "Doma arigato Hurricane! Gokoūn o inorimasu " (Thank you Hurricane. Good Luck!)
Duane: "Thanks Isaki. (Waving to the girls in the street below the station) Jā mata ne!"(See you later!)
Peace and Love…Always! You know? Never ever let the music die! God Bless!"
May 9th, 2009 Isaki Tumuchi, Tokyo, Japan
