Posted on 10/13/2014 9:03:15 AM PDT by rktman
It is commonly understood that the period of the mid-1950s was a time of enormous change in American music. Even one of the mildest of Elvis Presleys early hits 1956s Hound Dog is obviously a very different thing than Patti Pages 1953 hit How Much Is That Doggie in the Window. It is also commonly understood that the mid-to-late sixties was also a time of change, with almost as large a difference between the Beatles 1964 hit I Want To Hold Your Hand and Hendrixs 1967 recording of Purple Haze.
But to many the in-between period appears to be rather bland and blank. In fact it was anything but. In the very early sixties, for instance, several musical styles were vying for attention and some of them were very inventive and exciting. One of these styles was called surf music, and arguments about it which recordings, artists and styles are best still continue to this day.
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They left out “Surfer Girl”? Dude!!!
Surf music and surf songs are two different animals. Beach music is yet another different one.
“Surf music and surf songs are two different animals. Beach music is yet another different one.”
Yes. Very much.
This goes along with relictele’s comment that surf music is instrumental.
I agree generally. And best surf song, in my opinion, is probably Pipeline.
bump for later
Pandora has it now. Search for “Surf Rock Radio”. Popular stuff and obscure bands. There is some real talent in there.
Here is a link to Dick Dale’s appearance on Ed Sullivan. Really good. He is a good singer and a good entertainer. A great guitar medley. I highly recommend this link:
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjQ3MDc5MTA4.html
I’m not a professional guitarist, but I have achieved a measure of speed on my guitar. However, trying to duplicate Dale’s double-picking is a real bit&h.
I’m not a professional guitarist, but I have achieved a measure of speed on my guitar. However, trying to duplicate Dale’s double-picking is a real bit&h.
I like your choices but I would drop one more from the Beach Boys and add Jan and dean’s ‘Ride The Wild Surf’ along with their ‘Surf City’.
The best description of ‘Wipeout’ I ever heard was: The song responsible for the destruction of more dashboards in the sixties than any other tune!
Agree. I could pretty much limit the whole list to Dick Dale tunes.
No music talent here but used to wear the ladies out on the floor
The Happy Organ by Dave Cortez
Wow. I had forgotten all about Dave Cortez. Thanks.
Oh, I’m not that great...I play for my own amazement as they say. I’m amazed I can actually coax notes out of an instrument.
There were "surf" bands in the midwest too.
There was a rock/r&b instrumental thing extending back before (and later co-existing with) surf music.
Instrumental guitar isn't necessarily surf guitar (and neither are middle eastern rhythms a required component).
You are right that it is hard to pin down. Maybe if the bands themselves considered themselves to be "surf" bands and included covers of others' surf songs in their sets/recordings it become easier to pin down who "is" in.
Dave is still around and even put out a new album and a Rolling Stones cover single a few years ago.
Dave "Baby" Cortez with Lonnie Young Blood and his Bloodhounds
But he wasn't surf.
Producer Gary Usher released a lot of “surf” records and Glenn Campbell played on a number of them. Maybe he’s the real king of the surf guitar.
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