An instrumental band best known for recording “Telstar,” the first British song to top the U.S. charts.

The Tornados were originally no different from many other Joe Meek bands (see the Outlaws): they were session musicians given a gimmick and fashioned as an independent group. While other ensembles recorded country songs, guitar based pop, etc., the Tornados were Meek’s excuse to experiment with electronic sounds in pop music, to a much more conventional effect than his Blue Men.

As such, their second single, “Telstar,” was Joe Meek’s biggest success as a producer and songwriter, becoming the first British single to top the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. That ditty captures the essence of their other works perfectly distilled: beautiful, simple melodies on electronic keyboards with great support from guitars and bass.

After scoring several top 40 hits in the UK, they began to suffer at the hands of a changing music industry that increasingly rewarded rock bands at the expense of instrumental pop combos. When Joe Meek removed bassist Heinz from the group to promote him as a solo singer, it wasn’t long before the Tornados fizzled out. They continued to produce music with a changing lineup for several years before fading away following the death of their producer.