The Surfaris
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Surfaris were an American surf music band formed in Glendora, California in 1962. They are best known for two songs that hit the charts in the Los Angeles area, and nationally by May, 1963: "Surfer Joe" on 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 manical laugh followed by the only two words of the song, "wipe out". "Wipe Out" is often regarded as being the surfing anthem.
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 2004, performing and recording, often re-recording their old and new songs.They still perform with Jim Fuller all over United States and Europe with a large fan base.
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.
Bob Berryhill is currently teaching as a professor of automotive technology at Fullerton College C.A. (as of 2003), he also performs with his family as the Surfaris at venues throughout the U.S.
[edit] Discography
- 1963 The Surfaris Play Wipe Out
- 1963 Wipe Out
- 1964 Fun City USA/Wipe Out
- 1964 Fun City
- 1964 Hit City '64
- 1965 Hit City '65
- 1965 It Ain't Me, Babe
- 1973 Yesterdays Pop Scene
- 1976 Surfers Rule
- 1977 Gone with the Wave
- 2005 Hit City 64: Fun City USA
[edit] Trivia
- Jim Fuller, the lead guitar on "Wipe Out", "Surfer Joe", and "Point Panic", is known as the "Godfather of Surf Music"
- 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, California, USA.
- 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, Downey's official website continues to make this claim.[2]
- Another Southern Californian surf group formed around the same time known as The Surfaris renamed themselves the Original Surfaris following the success of "Wipe Out".
