Much vaunted melodic Rock outfit that possessed a little more refinement than most acts of the era. Based in Los Angeles, HURRICANE's main driving force was the duo of guitarist Robert Sarzo and bassist Tony Cavazo, the younger siblings of QUIET RIOT bassist Rudy Sarzo and guitarist Carlos Cavazo respectively. The pair had been introduced by QUIET RIOT's Kevin Dubrow two years prior to the formation of HURRICANE.

Sarzo had eked out a career as a session guitarist, playing with the likes of D.L. BYRON for example, and had auditioned to replace the late, great Randy Rhoads in the OZZY OSBOURNE band getting down to the final few. Cavazo had played with more famous brother Carlos in both SNOW and QUIET RIOT. Cavazo had also recorded a 1983 EP with DANGERFACE.

The original incarnation of the group featured English born drummer John Shearer, ex-WOLF and the DAVID BYRON BAND, and fellow expatriot erstwhile TROUBLE, MADAM X and LONDON vocalist John 'Wardie' Ward. For a brief period HURRICANE would be boosted to the status of a twin guitar band with the addition of Michael Guy. However, both Guy and Ward quit with the former ending up in HOUSE OF LORDS, via SHARK ISLAND and FIRE, and the latter joining SHAME then SHY. By 2000 the British vocalist was fronting OLIVER DAWSON SAXON.

Shearer also opted out but was instrumental in recruiting new vocalist Kelly Hansen (a veteran of several, unidentified Top 40 bands). The band replaced Shearer with Jay Schellen, who was working with LITA FORD at the time and had also briefly been associated with the GEEZER BUTLER BAND. Previous to that job Schellen had been working with BADFINGER.

Rather than spend time shopping very expensive demos to the major labels, the band took the decision to record a mini album from the word go, enrolling producer Kevin Beamish into the project and signing what amounted to a licensing deal with Greenworld. The record, 'Take What You Want', was issued in Europe by Roadrunner. The success of the record drew the attention of the Enigma label who signed HURRICANE to an album deal.

After Enigma had re-issued the 'Take What You Want' album and put the group out on a 51 date American tour opening for STRYPER, the first real fruits of the association came with the 'Over The Edge' album of 1988 vintage, produced by Mike Clink. The legendary Bob Ezrin oversaw the whole project as an executive producer.

Robert Sarzo left the group towards the end of 1989 and his place was taken by LION guitarist DOUG ALDRICH for the recording of the band's next album after Carlos Cavazo had spent a few weeks in Sarzo's place following the split of QUIET RIOT. The 'Slave To The Thrill' album had to endure a change to its cover art, the naked woman depicted at the mercy of an outrageous all encompassing sex device being removed from the image after the initial pressing.

Schellen later joined and recorded with UNRULY CHILD before teaming up with ex-ACCEPT and BANGALORE CHOIR front man David Reece in SIRCLE OF SILENCE. He since collaborated with Kelly Hansen on a project dubbed HEAVEN & EARTH and demos were recorded, in addition to assisting in the recording of a second WORLD TRADE album with YES guitarist Billy Sherwood.

Both Hansen and Schellen guest on the debut album from Japanese act AIR PAVILION. In 2000 Hansen contributed vocals to fretless guitar maestro TIM DONAHUE's 'Into The Light' album. In early 2001 Hansen lent lead vocals to a BON JOVI tribute album offering his version of 'You Give Love A Bad Name'.

HURRICANE would rise again though due directly to demand from European and Japanese melodic Rock fans. The Italian Frontiers label re-assembled a band of Hansen, Schellen, guitarists Sean Manning and Carlos Villalobos with bass player Larry Antonio for the September 2001 'Liquifury' opus. Meantime, Hansen's skills in the studio would also be utilised by erstwhile JOURNEY and VINNIE VINCENT INVASION frontman ROBERT FLEISCHMAN's 2002 solo album.

Hansen revealed a fresh band project in early 2003 entitled PERFECT WORLD, this a collaboration with bass player and producer Fabrizio V. Zee Grossi, a musician citing credits with STEVE VAI, STEVE LUKATHER and JOSEPH WILLIAMS. That same year Kelly Hansen stepped into the major touring league by being announced as the new FOREIGNER frontman. Jay Schellen hooked up with Prog-AOR veterans ASIA in August 2005.

In October 2006 Hansen vocalised on cover versions of the JOURNEY classics 'Wheel In The Sky' and 'Separate Ways' featured on the Cleopatra Records homage collection '80s Metal Tribute To Journey'. Word arrived in February 2007 that Robert Sarzo was regrouping HURRICANE for a new album and tour.