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The Surfaris
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfaris
The Surfaris
were an American surf music
band formed in California in 1962.
They and are best known for two songs that
hit the charts in the Los Angeles
area, and nationally by May, 1963:
"Surfer Joe" (the A side), and "Wipe Out" on
the B side of a 45 RPM single.
The original band members were Ron Wilson
(drums), Jim Fuller (Lead
guitar), Bob Berryhill (rhythm
guitar) and Pat Connolly (bass).
Saxophone player Jim Pash
joined after their initial recording.
Ron Wilson's energetic drum solo made
"Wipe Out" the best-remembered
instrumental song of the period.
"Wipe Out" is also remembered particularly
for its introduction before the music
starts, a cracking sound (imitating a
breaking surf board), and a manic voice
babbling "ha ha ha ha ha wipe out". A "wipe
out" is a misfortune that can occur in
surfing, that is, the surfer falling off
the board with physical danger, and/or
interrupting the ride prematurely.
The band released a series of records, with
only one other single, "Point Panic", having
any impact on the charts. (Point Panic is a
renowned surfing venue in Hawaii.)
The Surfaris disbanded in 1966 but
have periodically reunited and are still
active as of 2004, performing and
recording, often re-recording their old
songs.
Sadly, drummer Ron Wilson died on May 7,
1989, one month short of his 45th
birthday. Wilson had released an album of
his songs, entitled "Lost It In The Surf",
on Bennet House Records of Grass Valley,
California, recorded in June 1987. A
very small number of cassettes of
this album were produced. "Lost It In The
Surf" included a cover of "Louie, Louie"
with Scottish bagpipes, one of the
better versions of this song by the
legendary Richard Berry.
Surfaris Trivia
·
Jim Fuller,
the lead guitar on "Wipe Out", "Surfer Joe",
and "Point Panic", is known as the
"Godfather of Surfguitar."
·
The manic laughing and spoken title at the
beginning of “Wipe Out is the voice of the
band’s manager Dale Smallen.
·
“Surfer Joe/Wipe Out” was recorded at Pal
Studios in Cucamonga, Calif. USA. |
