The Surfaris
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1962 in Glendora, California, U.S. |
| Founder | Jim Fuller, Pat Connolly, Bob Berryhill |
| Headquarters | Glendora, California , United States |
| Products | Surf rock music |
The Surfaris emerged as a surf rock group from Glendora, California in 1962. They gained prominence with their 1963 hits "Surfer Joe" and "Wipe Out," which were released together as the A-side and B-side of a single 45 rpm record.
In recognition of their influential instrumental track "Wipe Out," The Surfaris were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019.
Career
The band's founding members consisted of Ron Wilson on drums and vocals, Jim Fuller handling lead guitar, Bob Berryhill on rhythm guitar, and Pat Connolly playing bass.
Formed late in 1962 by high schoolers Fuller, Connolly, and Berryhill after a rehearsal session, they later invited Wilson to join during a school dance event. Their single "Wipe Out" achieved widespread acclaim, reaching number two on the national charts in 1963 and gaining international recognition.
Following the recording sessions for "Wipe Out" / "Surfer Joe" at Pal Studios, Jim Pash joined the group as a saxophonist.
Ken Forssi, who would later join Love, succeeded Connolly as the bassist.
"Wipe Out"
The dynamic drum solo by Wilson is central to "Wipe Out," making it one of the era’s most iconic instrumental rock tracks. The song’s introduction is particularly distinctive, featuring the sound of a breaking surfboard created by Berryhill’s father, accompanied by an eerie laugh and the phrase "Wipe Out" spoken by band manager Dale Smallin. Composed collaboratively in the studio by Berryhill, Connolly, Fuller, and Wilson, it initially appeared on the small DFS label in January 1963 before being re-released through Princess and later Dot Records. The single sold over a million copies, earning a gold disc certification.
Following the death of television host Morton Downey, Jr., some sources incorrectly attributed the composition of "Wipe Out" and The Chantays' "Pipeline" to him. However, his official website clarified that while he contributed to production aspects, he was not the composer.
Disbanding and reformation
Additional chart success came with tracks such as "Surfer Joe" and "Point Panic," named after a renowned surfing location in Hawaii.
The original members stayed together until August 1965 when Connolly departed prior to a tour in Japan; Forssi then took over bass duties. After completing the tour, Fuller left the band, leading to its breakup in early 1966. Forssi participated in recording their It Ain't Me, Babe LP at Capitol Records in 1965; he passed away in 1998. Connolly withdrew from the music scene that same year.
Ron Wilson died at age 44 in 1989 due to a brain aneurysm. In 1987 he had released an album titled Lost In The Surf, which included a rendition of "Louie Louie" featuring Scottish bagpipes.
Saxophonist and later guitarist Jim Pash passed away from heart failure in 2005 at age 56.
Jim Fuller co-founded The Surfaris with Connolly in 1961. The band reunited in 1981 with Pash and Berryhill; however, Berryhill exited in 1983 following disagreements concerning his wife's role as bassist. By the mid-1980s, Fuller's version of The Surfaris incorporated new members including Kelly Lammers and Paul Johnson, who continue to perform with the group.
Management under John P. Reisman began in 1986 for the Fuller/Pash Surfaris. During this period, they appeared on Columbia Pictures' New Gidget Show in 1987 and recorded "Bred to Shred" for an episode. Their live performances included fairs and festivals drawing crowds up to 100,000 while maintaining regular club engagements. Bill Silva Entertainment managed their bookings throughout this time.
Until his death in 2017 at age 69, Jim Fuller also led "Jim Fuller and the Beatnik."
Berryhill left the music industry to pursue teaching but revived The Surfaris around 2000 with his family members. Now the only original member actively performing professionally, he tours globally alongside his wife Gene and sons Deven and Joel. In 2003, Berryhill's ensemble re-recorded "Wipe Out" plus eight original compositions that had been blocked from recording by label restrictions back in 1962. Legal proceedings subsequently confirmed The Surfaris' ownership rights. In 2015, Berryhill released The Surfaris Hurley Sessions.
Members
- Jim Fuller – lead guitar (1962–1966, 1981–2017; deceased 2017)
- Pat Connolly – bass guitar (1962–1965)
- Ron Wilson – drums, vocals (1962–1966; deceased 1989)
- Jim Pash – saxophone, guitar (1963–1966, 1981–2005; deceased 2005)
- Bob Berryhill – rhythm guitar (1962–1966, 1981–1983)
- Ken Forssi – bass guitar (1965–1966; deceased 1998)
- Jay Truax – bass (circa 1984–2017?)
- Rob Watson – keyboard instruments
- Dave Raven – drums
- Dusty Watson – drums
- Paul Johnson – lead guitar
- Ron Eglit – rhythm guitar
- Kelly Lammers – guitar (approximately 1981–1984?)
- Chris Pritchard – guitar (early to mid-1980s?–1987)
- Louis Fagenson – guitar, slide guitar, keyboards (early to mid-1980s?–1987?)
- Don Murray – drums, vocals (1981–1996)
- John Mehler – drums, vocals (from 1986 onward)
- Scott Lash – guitar (1987–1988)
The Surfaris featuring Jim Fuller and Jim Pash
Under management of John Reisman/Lyra Records & Productions
- Jim Fuller – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Jim Pash – vocals, saxophone
- Don Murray – vocals, drums
- John Mehler – vocals, drums, percussion
- Chris Pritchard – vocals, lead and rhythm guitar (early to mid-1980s?–1987)
- Scott Lash – vocals, lead and rhythm guitar (1987–1988)
- Louis Fagenson – vocals, guitar, slide guitar, keyboards
The Surfaris featuring Bob Berryhill
Consistent lineup since establishment in 2000:
- Bob Berryhill – lead guitar
- Deven Berryhill – vocals, guitar
- Gene Berryhill – bass
- Joel Berryhill – vocals, drums
Albums
- 1963: Wipe Out (Dot DLP-3535/DLP-25535)
- 1963: Play (Decca DL-4470/DL-74470)
- 1964: Hit City '64 (Decca DL-4487/DL-74487)
- 1964: Fun City U.S.A. (Decca DL-4560/DL-74560)
- 1965: Hit City '65 (Decca DL-4614/DL-74614)
- 1965: It Ain't Me, Babe (Decca DL-4683/DL-74683)
- 1983: Surf Party! The Best of The Surfaris Live! [recorded in 1981] (Koinkidink KWK-102; CD reissued by GNP Crescendo GNPD-2239 in 1994)
- 2003: Basic Tracks by Jim Fuller's Surfaris (Got It Records 0101)
- 2005: Wipe Out by Bob Berryhill's Surfaris (Calvary Chapel Music 6021)
- 2006: Street Party by Jim Fuller's Surfaris (Heyday Records 35753)
- 2015: Hurley Sessions by Bob Berryhill's Surfaris (Salt Talk Music 41662)
Singles
- April 1963: "Wipe Out" // "Surfer Joe" (DFS 11/12; Princess 50; Dot 16479)
- September 1963: "Point Panic" // "Waikiki Run" (Decca 31538)
- November 1963: "Santa's Speed Shop" // "A Surfer's Christmas List" (Decca 31561)
- December 1963: "Scatter Shield" // "I Wanna Take a Trip to the Islands" (Decca 31581)
- March 1964: "Go Go Go for Louie's Place" // "Murphy the Surfie" (Decca 31605)
- June 1964: "Dune Buggy" // "Boss Barracuda" (Decca 31641)
- October 1964: "Karen" // "Hot Rod High" (Decca 31682)
- January 1965: "Beat '65" // "Black Denim" (Decca 31731)
- May 1965: "Theme Of The Battle Maiden" // "Somethin' Else" (Decca 31784)
- July 1965: "You Can't Sit Down" // "Surfer Joe" (Dot 16757)
- August 1965: "Catch a Little Ride With Me" // "Don't Hurt My Little Sister" (Decca 31835)
- April 1966: "So Get Out" // "Hey Joe Where Are You Going" (Decca 31954)
- August 1966: "I'm a Hog for You" // "Wipe Out" (Decca 32003)
- October 1966: "Show Biz" // "Chicago Green" (Dot 16966)
- April 1967: "Search" // "Shake" (Dot 17008)
Compilations
- 1973: Yesterday's Pop Scene: The Surfaris – Wipe Out!
- 1974: Wipe Out, Surfer Joe and Other Great Hits
- 1976: Surfers Rule
- 1977: Gone with the Wave
- 1978: Shut Down – Music from the original soundtrack
- 1982: The History of Surf Music – Vol. 1: The Instrumental Hits 1961–1963
- 1984: Wipe Out: 20 Instrumental Greats
- 1987: Wipe Out (The Singles Album 1963–1967)
- 1987: The Best of 60s Surf (Original Master Recordings)
- 1989: Surfin' Hits
- 1989: Surfin' Sixties (Baby Boomer Classics)
- 1990: Fun City U.S.A. / Play (Repertoire)
- 1991: Guitar Player Presents...Legends Of Guitar: Surf – Vol. 1
- 1994: Wipe Out! The Best of the Surfaris
- 1994: Rock Instrumental Classics – Vol. 5: Surf
- 1995: Pulp Rock Instros – Vol. 1
- 1995: Surfaris Stomp
- 1995: Revenge of the Surf Instrumentals
- 1996: Cowabunga! The Surf Box Set
- 1996: Teen Beat – Vol. 3
- 1996: Let's Go Trippin' (Classic Tracks from the Surf & Hot Rod Era)
- 1996: Surf Crazy: Original Surfin' Hits
- 1996: Jenny McCarthy's Surfin' Safari
- 1997: Guitar Heroes
- 1997: Hot Rod Presents...Big Boss Instrumentals
- 1997: Kahuna Classics: A Collection of Surf Music
- 1998: Hard Rock Cafe – Surf
- 1998: Surf! Sand! Sun!
- 1998: Surfers Rule / Gone with the Wave (BGO)
- 1999: Wipe Out / Play (BGO)
- 2000: KFJC 89.7 – Water Logged
- 2000: Teen Beat – Vol. 5
- 2003: Lost Legends of Surf Guitar – Vol. 2: Point Panic!
- 2005: Hit City '64 / Fun City U.S.A. (BGO)
External links
- Articles with short description
- American surf music groups
- Musical groups established in 1962
- Musical groups disestablished in 2017
- Musical groups from Los Angeles
- Rock music groups from California
- Decca Records artists
- Dot Records artists
- American instrumental musical groups
- 1962 establishments in California
- 2017 disestablishments in California