Surf Music of the 1960s Trivia Quiz

Answer: Surfin' U.S.A.

"Surfing U.S.A." was their breakthrough hit. "Surfin'" charted locally but did not reach the chart status of "Surfing U.S.A." "Surfer Girl" and "I Get Around" were later hits for the group. Eventually, Chuck Berry's publisher would claim "Surfing U.S.A." closely resembled Chuck's "Sweet Little Sixteen." Although Brian Wilson claimed it was not copied, he added Chuck Berry as a co-writer to settle the matter.

The Wilson brothers, Brian, Carl and Dennis, along with a friend and cousin went on to have numerous hits in the 1960's and members of the band continue to perform as the Beach Boys into the new millennium.

Answer: Jan and Dean

Jan and Dean enjoyed success with this song that Jan Berry co-wrote with the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. Prior to recording "Surf City" the duo recorded pop songs such as "Linda" and "Baby Talk." They met the Beach Boys while performing with them on a tour and the surf music connection was established.

After teaming up with producer Lou Adler, Jan and Dean changed musical directions and became part of the surf scene. Incidentally, their recording, "Linda," was written by Jack Lawrence about the daughter of a friend of his.

The little girl was Linda Eastman.

Answer: The Trashmen

The Trashmen took "Surfin' Bird" to number 4 in February of 1964. It became popular in the Vietnam war era. It appears in the films "Pink Flamingos" and "Full Metal Jacket." It was also used in the video game "Battlefield Vietnam."
The song has been covered many times and was done live by the Beach Boys on their album "Beach Boys Concert." The Garbagemen is made up, The Rip Chords charted with "Hey Little Cobra" and the Kingsmen had a huge hit with the non-surfing (but sailing) song "Louie Louie".

Answer: Surfaris

Ron Wilson's energetic drum solo made "Wipe Out" the best-remembered instrumental surf 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) followed by a maniacal laugh. "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. The Crossfires were a surfing band who eventually became The Turtles.

The Marketts recorded "Out of Limits" and The Ventures first hit it big with 1960's "Walk, Don't Run."

Answer: Dick Dale

Dick Dale and the Del-Tones were featured in some of the beach blanket movies and had many hits with California sound surf guitar songs. Dale's live performances became huge local draws. 1961's "Let's Go Trippin'" is often regarded as the first surf rock song.

This was followed by more songs such as "Jungle Fever," "Miserlou," and "Surf Beat" on Dick's own Deltone label. His first full-length album was "Surfers' Choice" in 1962. Joe Fuller was with the Surfaris, Nokie Edwards handled lead guitar duties for The Ventures and Buck James headed the Bullwhips.

Answer: The Ventures

The Ventures broke out in 1960 with the smash, "Walk, Don't Run." After several successful instrumental albums they produced an album called "Surfing with the Ventures" which spawned the instrumental hit "Diamond Head." Morton Stevens composed the "Hawaii Five-O" theme.

Answer: The Challengers

The Challengers' lead guitarist was Glenn Grey. The song was originally called "Volcanic Action." Their album, "Tidal Wave," was released the same week as Dick Dale's first album. The Challengers didn't have any significant chart success after "Tidal Wave." The Sentinals were another surf band, Santo and Johnny were a Canadian duo who did not record any surf music and The Showmen recorded surf music.

Answer: The Sun Rays

Eddy Medora was the lead guitar player for the Sun Rays. The group was managed and produced by Brian Wilson's father, Murray Wilson. Murry hired Don Ralke to help arrange their lush vocals and the songs the group wrote. In addition to Eddie, Glen Campbell played guitar on "I Live For the Sun." Capitol Records started a new label, Tower Records, just for The Sun Rays.

The Lively Ones, The Avantis and the Astronauts were also California surf bands.

Answer: The Lively Ones

The Lively Ones was an instrumental surf rock band that was very active in Southern California in the sixties. Some people call them the best American surf band. They played live mostly in California and Arizona. Their hit "Surf Rider" (written by Nokie Edwards from The Ventures) was used in the final sequence of Quentin Tarantino's film Pulp Fiction.

The Lively Ones were known as the Surfmen in the early part of 1962. The Avantis recorded "Gypsy Surfer," PJ and the Galaxies were known for "Tally Ho!" and The Tornadoes recorded "Telstar."

Answer: The Chantays

The Chantays were one of the few US surf bands to tour outside of the states. Lead guitarist Bob Spickard opened the song with the famous double-picked run on the E string. The Chantays and "Pipeline" are included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1996, The Chantays were also inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk. Southern California will soon bestow another honor on the band, renaming a street after them. Chantays Boulevard will be located right next to where they got started, Santa Ana High School.

The Avantis lineup included Pat and Lolly Vegas. The Fender IV had a surf hit with "Mar Gaya," and Jim Messina and the Jesters recorded "The Jester" before Jim went on to work with Kenny Loggins and record "Your Mama Don't Dance."