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Surf & Instrumental Music

Instrumental Rock'n'Roll

Before the British Invasion, instrumental groups owned an immense popularity in the U.S. and throughout the world. Those bands were wild, young and savage and spread the true spirit of Rock'n'Roll music into the worldwide music scene. Most bands acted completely without vocals and added at least one instrument taking over the 'singing' part - mostly hot electric guitars. And Teenagers kept on dancing – who would need lyrics anyhow?! Recent years have seen a huge amount of CD reissues in that field and a great amount on vinyl! Nevertheless, the few adult exponents of that style, Link Wray, Duane Eddy and The Ventures, should not be neglected! 

Woodies, Boards and the Fiberglass Jungle - Roots of the California Surfin' and Hot Rod Scene

At this stage we could just copy the wonderful books about the California music scene written by John Blair (Check 'em out in our mailorder) Well, we're not talking about Surf music sung with nice voices like The Beach Boys and Jan & Dean did, we're talking about the real Surf style and that is? Bingo! Instrumental Surf! A broad trend that dominated grassroots teenage music in America during the years 1961-1965, actually creaks down into four distinct phases. It started as early as 1961-1962, with such transitional records as 'Mr. Moto' by The Belairs (on Felsted label), 'Stick Shift' by The Duals (on Sue label), 'Moon Dawg' by The Gamblers (World-Pacific label), 'Church Key' by The Revels (on Impact), and 'Fiberglass Jungle' by The Crossfires - later to become The Turtles - (on Capco) which had what later would be called a surf sound, but no overt connection with surfing. This was instrumental music, a direct outgrowth of the hard rock, sax-and-guitar instrumentals that were 1959's biggest trend (Duane Eddy & The Rebels, Johnny & The Hurricanes, The Viscounts, The Ventures, The Rock-A-Teens, The Royaltones, The Fendermen etc.), a style taken over by local dance bands everywhere.

Dick Dale - The Guitar Legend

The catalyst that turned these thousands of instrumental bands into surf bands was Dick Dale, whose Eastern-influenced, staccato guitar sound with reverb was designed to simulate the feel of being on a surfboard riding pipelines and tubes. Dale's popularity at Southern California dances became immense in 1961 and 1962, and he was soon imitated by a whole wave of surf bands including The Chantays, The Rumblers, The Tornadoes, The Pyramids, The Marketts, The Surfaris, The Challengers and Dave Myers & The Surftones. This music established the audience for surf-related music, in California at least. Dale perfectionized his instrumental reverb sounds throughout the sixties in creating amplifiers (Fender Showman) and guitars for Leo Fender's company.

California Style

But it took Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys to give it a commercial cast to which the rest of the world could relate. They pioneered surf lyrics in songs that were about going to the beach, surfing, partying, etc. In short, they had built surfing into a universal metaphor for being young and having fun. Their inspiration, however, had come from The Regents - Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann - and of course Jan & Dean, whose truly pioneering 1959 records such as 'Baby Talk' (on Dore label) had introduced the California style of falsetto and doo-wop-derived nonsense phrases used heavily in the early Beach Boys records. The vocal surf bands who followed made up the golden age of surf music. Even Hollywood followed with easy Teenage Beach Party movies starring Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon with tremendous commercial success. 

Surf & Instrumental Music Instrumental Rock'n'Roll Before the British Invasion, instrumental groups owned an immense popularity in the U.S. and throughout the world. Those bands were wild,... read more »
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Go Guitar!

Surf & Instrumental Music

Instrumental Rock'n'Roll

Before the British Invasion, instrumental groups owned an immense popularity in the U.S. and throughout the world. Those bands were wild, young and savage and spread the true spirit of Rock'n'Roll music into the worldwide music scene. Most bands acted completely without vocals and added at least one instrument taking over the 'singing' part - mostly hot electric guitars. And Teenagers kept on dancing – who would need lyrics anyhow?! Recent years have seen a huge amount of CD reissues in that field and a great amount on vinyl! Nevertheless, the few adult exponents of that style, Link Wray, Duane Eddy and The Ventures, should not be neglected! 

Woodies, Boards and the Fiberglass Jungle - Roots of the California Surfin' and Hot Rod Scene

At this stage we could just copy the wonderful books about the California music scene written by John Blair (Check 'em out in our mailorder) Well, we're not talking about Surf music sung with nice voices like The Beach Boys and Jan & Dean did, we're talking about the real Surf style and that is? Bingo! Instrumental Surf! A broad trend that dominated grassroots teenage music in America during the years 1961-1965, actually creaks down into four distinct phases. It started as early as 1961-1962, with such transitional records as 'Mr. Moto' by The Belairs (on Felsted label), 'Stick Shift' by The Duals (on Sue label), 'Moon Dawg' by The Gamblers (World-Pacific label), 'Church Key' by The Revels (on Impact), and 'Fiberglass Jungle' by The Crossfires - later to become The Turtles - (on Capco) which had what later would be called a surf sound, but no overt connection with surfing. This was instrumental music, a direct outgrowth of the hard rock, sax-and-guitar instrumentals that were 1959's biggest trend (Duane Eddy & The Rebels, Johnny & The Hurricanes, The Viscounts, The Ventures, The Rock-A-Teens, The Royaltones, The Fendermen etc.), a style taken over by local dance bands everywhere.

Dick Dale - The Guitar Legend

The catalyst that turned these thousands of instrumental bands into surf bands was Dick Dale, whose Eastern-influenced, staccato guitar sound with reverb was designed to simulate the feel of being on a surfboard riding pipelines and tubes. Dale's popularity at Southern California dances became immense in 1961 and 1962, and he was soon imitated by a whole wave of surf bands including The Chantays, The Rumblers, The Tornadoes, The Pyramids, The Marketts, The Surfaris, The Challengers and Dave Myers & The Surftones. This music established the audience for surf-related music, in California at least. Dale perfectionized his instrumental reverb sounds throughout the sixties in creating amplifiers (Fender Showman) and guitars for Leo Fender's company.

California Style

But it took Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys to give it a commercial cast to which the rest of the world could relate. They pioneered surf lyrics in songs that were about going to the beach, surfing, partying, etc. In short, they had built surfing into a universal metaphor for being young and having fun. Their inspiration, however, had come from The Regents - Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara Ann - and of course Jan & Dean, whose truly pioneering 1959 records such as 'Baby Talk' (on Dore label) had introduced the California style of falsetto and doo-wop-derived nonsense phrases used heavily in the early Beach Boys records. The vocal surf bands who followed made up the golden age of surf music. Even Hollywood followed with easy Teenage Beach Party movies starring Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon with tremendous commercial success. 

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Surfbeat, Vol.2  (CD)
The Surfriders: Surfbeat, Vol.2 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDGTR1684

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(Good Time Records) 12 tracks The surf sound is sweeping the country from coast to coast. The Surfriders' second album brings the same energy and thrills as the first, and with standout tracks like "Wipe Out," "Teen Scene" and "Riders in...
$22.58
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The Curl Rider (CD)
The Cruncher: The Curl Rider (CD) Art-Nr.: CDNPR16446

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(NPR Records) 18 tracks
$18.05
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Twenty Terrific Twangies - Water Skiing (CD)
Duane Eddy: Twenty Terrific Twangies - Water Skiing (CD) Art-Nr.: CDBGO831

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(BGO) 32 tracks - One RCA material compilation from 1980 plus one 1964 original album on one CD! Without Duane Eddy's groundbreaking guitar style in the late 1950s, popular music would be very different. Many artists credit him with...
$11.26 $20.31
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Ridin' The Brit Beat (CD)
The Blue Jays: Ridin' The Brit Beat (CD) Art-Nr.: CDPEP140

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(Pollytone) 21 Tracks - British Rock'n'Roll in-between Cliff Richard and The Shadows and Teddy Boy Rock spiced up with a little Buddy Holly, Vincent, Kidd and Taylor. Includes a Johnny Kidd tribute and a few instrumentals.
$28.24
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Feel Flows - The Sunflower & Surf's Up Sessions 1969 - 1971 (2-CD)
The Beach Boys: Feel Flows - The Sunflower & Surf's Up Sessions... Art-Nr.: CDCAP79058

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(Capitol Records) 56 tracks, digisleeve 34 unreleased songs: 9 unreleased songs & promos 3 unreleased live songs 22 unreleased new mixes & alternative versions
$16.92 $22.58
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Monster Summer Hits - Drag City (CD)
Various: Monster Summer Hits - Drag City (CD) Art-Nr.: CDC296862

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(Capitol) 26 tracks - Capitol masters 1958 -1964 with 12 page booklet - rare, originally sealed US Longbox packaging 26 car race tracks with a surfin' beat!
$45.21
Bill Haley's Chicks - Strictly Instrumental (CD)
Bill Haley & His Comets: Bill Haley's Chicks - Strictly Instrumental (CD) Art-Nr.: CDDL78821

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(Timeless 'n' Tunes) 24 tracks - Two original albums from 1959 and 1960 - both are in Stereo!
$11.26 $20.31
Magic Transistor Radio - 20 Good Vibrations Recorded By The Beach Boys (CD)
Various: Magic Transistor Radio - 20 Good Vibrations... Art-Nr.: CDDELAY06

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(Delay 68) 20 tracks - 20 original recordings Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys covered!
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Jigsaw (CD)
The Shadows: Jigsaw (CD) Art-Nr.: CDBGO66

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(BGO) 14 tracks
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Bongo Rock (CD)
Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band: Bongo Rock (CD) Art-Nr.: CDMRB043

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(Mr Bongo) 19 tracks Funky instrumentals: the two albums of the fictitious US band on one CD. The Incredible Bongo Band was invented in 1972 by MGM manager Michael Viner for a movie and landed several hits with their funky instrumentals,...
$20.31
The Challengers On The Move - Surfing Around The World (CD)
CHALLENGERS: The Challengers On The Move - Surfing Around... Art-Nr.: CDGTR1652

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(Good Time Records) 10 tracks Hailing from the shores of Southern California and now making waves all over the world, 'The Challengers' are back with a new collection of easy flowing and silky smooth surf rock classics that have become...
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Surfbeat (CD)
CHALLENGERS: Surfbeat (CD) Art-Nr.: CDGTR1664

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(Good Time Records) 12 tracks Released in January 1963 on Vault Records, "Surfbeat" was one of the very first surf albums to hit American stores. A compendium of the early surf sound, this record traces the history of the genre and lays...
$22.58
Sail On Sailor (5-LP + 1 Single 7inch, Super Deluxe Edition)
The Beach Boys: Sail On Sailor (5-LP + 1 Single 7inch, Super... Art-Nr.: LP859009

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(Brother Records) 53 tracks,limited Super Deluxe Edition in Box incl. Bonus Tracks + 39 seit. Booklet with extensive liner notes and rare photos LP1 - Carl And The Passions - "So Tough LP2 - Holland LP3 - The Beach Boys Live At Carnegie...
$90.48 $192.33
The EMI Years Vol.3 - 1962-1964 (CD)
John Barry: The EMI Years Vol.3 - 1962-1964 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDEMS1555

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CD on EMI RECORDS by John Barry - The EMI Years Vol.3 - 1962-1964 (CD)
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Surfin' With The Beach Boys And Others (CD)
Various: Surfin' With The Beach Boys And Others (CD) Art-Nr.: CDBMG79122

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(BMG-Ariola) 16 tracks (36:49). Fantastic Surf sound compilation with original recordings, 1962-64, plus 1990s bands, such as New York's Susan & The Surftones and Hamburg's The Looney Tunes. And on top of it all the rare British Eagles...
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Sail On Sailor (6-CD Super Deluxe Edition)
The Beach Boys: Sail On Sailor (6-CD Super Deluxe Edition) Art-Nr.: CD859146

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(Brother Records) 120 titres, avec des titres bonus live, inclus un livret de 48 pages avec des notes détaillées, des photos rares. Building on the success of 2021's "Feel Flows" and the "Sounds Of Summer" series, UMe will release 6 new...
$169.70
Beyond A Shadow Of A Doubt (CD Album)
TANGENT: Beyond A Shadow Of A Doubt (CD Album) Art-Nr.: CDTAN002

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(Zing Records) 20 tracks - featuring Jet Harris and Alan Jones - rare original pressing
$11.85 $22.58
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The Birth Of Surf Rock 1933-1962 (2-CD)
Various: The Birth Of Surf Rock 1933-1962 (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CDFA5859

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(Frémeaux & Associes) 48 tracks In the early 1960s, an instrumental electric guitar rock sound emerged that alluded to the Californian surfing trend. This sunny world, a symbol of freedom associated with swimsuits, big waves and tanned...
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Strangers In The Night - Rock 'N' Roll Instrumentals (CD)
Various: Strangers In The Night - Rock 'N' Roll... Art-Nr.: CDE608AG

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(The Bear) 15 tracks
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More Hits! (CD)
The Shadows: More Hits! (CD) Art-Nr.: CD3931203

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(Magic Records) 21 tracks
$14.44 $18.05
Guitar Sound From Holland Vol.8 (CD)
Various: Guitar Sound From Holland Vol.8 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDHL20629

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(Sam Sam Music) 20 tracks Volume 8 of a fantastic guitar series featuring great Dutch guitar bands. This volume contains 20 great guitar songs from artists like: The Black Albinos, Hap Cats, René & His Alligators, René & Black Albinos,...
$16.25 $18.05
Live At The Sunhouse Amsterdam - Live At The Int. Cliff & Shadows Meeting Tilburg - In Amsterdam (DVD + CD)
MUSTANGS: Live At The Sunhouse Amsterdam - Live At The... Art-Nr.: DVDC1959

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(Rarity Records) 34 incl. bonus tracks on DVD and 24 tracks on bonus CD. The Mustangs are a well-known instrumental guitar group from Finland. They have a special sound and play rock 'n roll / pop songs from all over the world, including...
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Guitar Mania Vol.28 (CD)
Various: Guitar Mania Vol.28 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDHL20578

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(Rarity Records) 24 tracks Volume 28 of a fantastic instrumental rock 'n roll / pop guitar music album series. This volume contains 24 songs from different European guitar groups with their own style. Featuring: Rock Of Ages, The...
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Hawaiian Songs (CD)
Eddy King: Hawaiian Songs (CD) Art-Nr.: CDHL09097

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(Sam Sam Muisic) 11 tracks Eddy King has been a singer and musical jack-of-all-trades for many years. He became famous with his group Papaya. On his other album "Indo Rock For Everyone" he shows that indo rock music is timeless and...
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Black Bandits - Best Instrumental Guitar Songs (CD)
BLACK BANDITS: Black Bandits - Best Instrumental Guitar Songs... Art-Nr.: CDC192468

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(Rarity Records) 18 tracks - The Black Bandits were formed in the early sixties and were musicians from the northern part of Holland who merged from 2 other bands: The Black Devils and The Bandits. They mainly played the repertoire of...
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