The Surfaris were an American surf rock band formed in Glendora, California in 1962. They are best known for two songs that hit the charts in the Los Angeles, California area, and nationally by May 1963: "Surfer Joe" on the A side and "Wipe Out" on the B side of a 45 RPM single.
Career
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 "Wipe Out" / "Surfer Joe" recording sessions at Pal Studios. Ken Forssi, later of Love, played bass with The Surfaris, as well as Jack Oldham, who performed with the group from 1966-1967, including a performance at the 1967 Grammy Awards.
Wilson's energetic drum solo made "Wipe Out" one of 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 maniacal laugh followed by the only two words of the song, "wipe out". "Wipe Out" is often regarded as being the surfing anthem.[citation needed] "Wipe Out" was written in the studio by the four original members (Berryhill, Connolly, Fuller, Wilson), and was originally going to be titled "Switchblade".
The band released a series of records, with two other singles, "Surfer Joe" and "Point Panic", having an impact on the charts. Point Panic is a renowned surfing venue in Hawaii named after the song.
The Surfaris disbanded in 1966 but have periodically reunited and are still active as of 2008[update], performing and recording, often re-recording their old and new songs. They still perform as Bob Berryhill's Surfaris and Jim Fuller's Surfaris (two separate groups) all over United States and Europe with a large fan base.
Following the death of television personality Morton Downey, Jr., news reports and obituaries incorrectly credited him as the composer of "Wipe Out" (as well as The Chantays' "Pipeline").[1] As of 2006[update], Downey's official website continues to make this claim.[2]
Drummer Ron Wilson died on 7 May 1989, one month short of his 44th birthday. Wilson had released an album of his songs, entitled Lost It In The Surf, on Bennet House Records of Grass Valley, California, which was 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", complete with Scottish bagpipes.
"Wipe Out" was featured in the film, Dirty Dancing.
Discography
Albums
- 1963 Wipe Out (Dot 3535)
- 1963 The Surfaris Play Wipe Out (Decca 4470)
- 1964 Hit City '64 (Decca 4487)
- 1964 Fun City USA (Decca 4560)
- 1965 Hit City '65 (Decca 4614)
- 1965 It Ain't Me, Babe (Decca 4683)
- 2005 Wipe Out
Singles
- 1962 "Wipe Out" / "Surfer Joe"
- 1963 "Wipe Out" / "Surfer Joe"
- 1963 "Point Panic" / "Waikiki Run"
- 1963 "Wipe Out" / "I'm A Hog For You"
- 1964 "Murphy The Surfie" / "Go Go Go for Louie's Place"
Compilations
- 1973 Yesterdays Pop Scene
- 1973 Wipe Out, Surfer Joe & Other Great Hits
- 1976 Surfers Rule
- 1977 Gone with the Wave
- 1982 The History of Surf Music
- 1989 Surfin Hits
- 1994 Wipe Out! The Best Of
- 1994 Surf Party!: The Best of the Surfaris Live!
- 1995 Pulp Rock Instros - Vol 1
- 1995 Surfaris Stomp
- 1996 Cowabunga! Surf-Box
- 1996 Teen Beat - Vol 3
- 1996 Let's Go Trippin'
- 1996 Surf Crazy
- 1997 Guitar Heroes
- 1997 Hot Rod - Big Boss Instrumentals
- 1997 Kahuna Classics
- 1998 Hard Rock Records - Surf
- 1998 Surf! Sand! Sun!
- 1998 Wipe Out
- 1999 Surfers Rule / Gone With The Wave
- 2000 Water Logged
- 2000 Teen Beat - Vol 5
- 2003 Lost Legends Of Surf Guitar - Vol. 02
- 2003 Basic Tracks w/ Jim Fuller
- 2005 Wipe Out, Surfer Joe And Other Great Hits
- 2006 Street Party w/ Jim Fuller
References
External links
