Based out of Long Beach, Calif., the band's surf hit 'Penetration' garnered them a cameo in indie film production company American International Pictures' 'Bikini Beach,' where they sported Beatle mops, later removing them to reveal their shaved heads. Sadly, the group's manager, John Hodge, made some poor investments, and the band fell apart shortly after recording their first album.
The Boulder, Colo.-based band released 'Baja' in 1963. They were one of the few bands that were not anywhere near a beach! (Minnesota's The Trashmen could identify). 'Baja' was their only hit to gain national attention.
'Hawaii Five-O' dominated the charts for 14 straight weeks and made it to No. 4; but this surf song is most known as the popular theme song in the T.V. series 'Hawaii Five-O,' which ran for 12 seasons.
This surf song certainly hit a few waves in the music scene. The Canadian band's instrumental sound helped revive the classic surf rock of the '60s, but with an edge, alongside artist Dick Dale and others. Featured on the album 'Raincoast Rumble,' the song's chorus features twangy guitars by Rich Hagensen and jazzy saxophones.
Danish guitarist Jorgen Ingmann won the international spotlight with this surf song, 'Apache.' The instrumental recording was a favorite in the States, as well as the UK.
This surf band frequently played in California and Arizona. 'Surf Rider' was a hit in 1963, but was later revived after it's inclusion in the movie, 'Pulp Fiction.' The song was written by our No. 2 song's band member, Nokie Edwards from quartet group The Ventures.
'Misirlou' was also used in 'Pulp Fiction.' Dale's music generally features non-Western tunes, influenced by his uncle who played a fair share of belly dancing music. Michael Jackson might be the King of Pop, but Dick Dale is considered the King of the surf guitar genre(marked by his Fender amplifiers).
Written by Bob Berryhill, Pat Connolly, Jim Fuller and Ron Wilson, 'Wipe Out' is probably the most well-known instrumental surf rock tune. Released in 1962, the surf song was later featured in 'Dirty Dancing' and the animated flick 'Surf's Up.'
'Walk, Don't Run '64' is an updated version of the Ventures 1960 original tune, but with a 'Misirlou'-sounding guitar riff. The original reached No. 2 on the charts in 1960, before the surf rock genre was officially defined. It was the band's first hit and marked the path for other guitarists to use only instrumentals in surf rock. The 1964 version made it on the charts as well, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard 100.
Our No. 1 best surf song -- by a group of five brothers -- was first called 'Liberty's Whip.' We like the new name much better, used to describe the perfect position a surfer should be when riding a wave. Dominant bass and rhythm guitar, as well as suppressed lead guitar and drums in this song define surf rock.
1. there are no comments because the beach boys and jan and dean are not here! top ten? some, but please...no beach boys?
Posted at 7:40PM on Mar 3rd 2010 by mark c.