Older forumites will remember Norman (Normal) ‘Hurricane’ Smith as a sound engineer/producer/singer,at EMI he worked with the Beatles and scouted Pink Floyd – producing their first 4 Albums (LP’s).
His biggest hit as a solo artist was ‘Oh Babe’
And the name ‘Hurricane’ was apparently taken from the 1952 film ‘Hurricane Smith’
His obituaries mention being an RAF Glider pilot during WW2 so presumably it was fairly late in the war when he qualified for his wings and was diverted to help the Army out on gliders (as happened to quite a few RAF pilots late war).
Norman A. Smith was born on Feb. 22, 1923, and reared in Edmonton, North London. He was trained as a glider pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II but did not see combat. Afterward, he worked day jobs and formed a band, the Bobby Arnold Quintet, in which he played mostly drums and vibes and performed in local clubs and dance halls, a practice he continued in his early years at EMI
Anybody know any details about his RAF service ?
rgds baz
By: bazv - 26th May 2015 at 20:52
In 1945 – He was recalled from honeymoon to be flown (with other aircrew) in a ‘bag of hammers’ (Dak ?) from Tarrant Rushton to near Cairo !
He reminisces that he used to sit out on the airfield in a canvas chair with a bottle of beer and dream of having his own band and make some records.
They were then airlifted to El Adem for a few weeks and then flown out to Bari in a ‘bag of hammers’ – some time later they were flown out to Udine – they were then stuck in venice for some considerable time(early 1947 ?).
And in true forces fashion – he lied about his age to get a job at Abbey Road Studios : )
By: bazv - 26th May 2015 at 20:05
Because I am also interested in the music connections – I bought a copy of his autobiography ‘John Lennon called me normal’ from Lulu.com
He does not say much about his RAF service but what little I can glean from a very quick look through his haphazard writing style : )
He went to ITW at or near Blackpool.
During PNB selection he was classified as ‘Pilot only’
I guess he went through normal RAF pilot training but so far have not stumbled over any details of that.
At some stage he must have been ‘volunteered’ to be attached to the Glider Pilot Regiment to bolster their numbers(as were at least 1000 other RAF Pilots).
He was posted to Hamilcars as a Sgt (presumably a 2nd pilot ?).
Whilst being towed to Arnhem – his Hamilcar was recalled (weather ? which might make it the cancelled 3rd lift on 19th sept ?)
He was also possibly later involved with Hamilcar X testing abroad and seems to have been stuck in venice post war until his release from the RAF in 1947.
I will have a closer read through the book when time permits but not sure if there is any more detail to be found
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May 2, 2015 at 8:41 am