Vermilion Parish loses another musical icon; Warren Storm passes away at 84

Swamp pop musician Warren Storm died Tuesday at age 84, according to multiple sources, including KBON 101.1.
According to reports, Storm had been hospitalized since the middle of August
Storm is the second music icon from the parish to pass away within the past few days. Last week, Cedric Benoit, 62, a Kaplan native and a star in Branson, Missouri, suddenly passed away. Benoit performed at the Silver Dollar in Branson from 1988 to 2018.
Warren Storm was born on February 18, 1937 in Abbeville, LA. He is known as a pioneer of the genre swamp pop. He learned to play guitar and the drums from his father, a Cajun musician, and he continued to play drums for 55 years. In the early 1950’s Storm began to perform publicly with Larry Brasso and the Rhythmaires.
When Frank’s Theatre was still showing movies on Saturdays, Storm would perform before the start of the Show. Who knew that movie theatre’s had opening acts!
As young boys, Warren and Bobby Charles went to school together and as their careers progressed Storm recorded some of Charles’ music. Warren and Bobby Charles would often travel to New Orleans to hear black rhythm and blues artists, such as Fats Domino in the local nightclubs. The music Warren experienced in New Orleans greatly influenced his own drumming style.
In 1956, Storm founded his own rhythm and blues/early rock and roll group, and in 1958 he began recording locally in Crowley, LA. During that time, Storm traveled throughout the United States and toured overseas in France, Australia, and England. When he returned from his tour he did a TV show in Memphis and stated that he was invited to meet Elvis Presley at his home. Over the following years, Storm recorded swamp pop music for numerous labels. In the early 1960’s, Storm teamed up with fellow swamp pop musicians to form the Shondells. During the 1980s and 90s, Storm appeared as a regular house musician at several south Louisiana dance clubs. In 1980, Warren Storm and Willie Tee were in the original Cypress Band which disbanded in 1984.
In 2000, Storm experienced a resurgence in popularity when he joined the Lil’ Band of Gold, an all-star south Louisiana band. In 2004 Warren and Willie Tee decided to bring back the Cypress Band and began another era of their music.
On Sept. 5, 2010, Storm was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
In November of 2016, the city of Abbeville dedicated a gateway sign on the east entrance near the Chris Crusta Memorial Airport in Storm’s honor. Abbeville’s Mark Piazza said during that dedication that, “We are proud to call him one of our own, a locally grown legend.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.