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. 

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 »
Close window
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. 

Filter
Close filters
 
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
No results were found for the filter!
Hint!
Soul Limbo (CD)
Booker T. & The MG's: Soul Limbo (CD) Art-Nr.: CDSXE009

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

Ace Records - 11 tracks - 
$4.50 $16.92
Do It Again! - The Songs Of Brian Wilson (CD)
Various: Do It Again! - The Songs Of Brian Wilson (CD) Art-Nr.: CDTOP1619

only 2x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(ACE Records) 24 tracks, with a 28-page booklet featuring a 9,000-word essay by Kris Needs. Of the great American songwriters to emerge from the revolutionary '60s, none had more of a knack for transcending the tropes of that era's pop...
$19.18
Sound sample
Sugar Shack - Buddy's Buddy (CD)
The Fireballs: Sugar Shack - Buddy's Buddy (CD) Art-Nr.: CDCHD646

only 1x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(Ace Records) 24 tracks - 8 page booklet During the late 50s and early 60s, Norman Petty and his small NorVaJak recording studio were riding the wave of success. What is amazing is the fact that Petty's studio was located in Clovis, New...
$18.05
Sound sample
Fender - The Golden Age 1946-70 (CD)
Various: Fender - The Golden Age 1946-70 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDCHD1315

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(Ace Records) 29 tracks (66:17) with 20 page booklet. “Leo Fender’s contribution to the sound of modern music is immeasurable. The pop music explosion of the 1950s and 60s would not have happened without the electric guitar and, perhaps...
$18.05
Sound sample
Backbeat - The World Greatest Rock'n'Roll Drummer (CD)
Earl Palmer: Backbeat - The World Greatest Rock'n'Roll... Art-Nr.: CDCHD719

only 1x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(ACE Records) 30 tracks Earl Palmer not only shared the same hallowed initials as Elvis Presley but also contributed enormously to the mainframe of first generation rock'n'roll music. His roots stretch back so far, that before Earl...
$18.05
The Original Norman Petty Masters (CD)
The Fireballs: The Original Norman Petty Masters (CD) Art-Nr.: CDCHD418

only 1x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(Ace Records) 25 tracks with 8 page booklet 25 of the most twangy guitar instrumentals this side of Duane Eddy cut in Norman Petty's Clovis, New Mexico studio, in the echo of Buddy Holly.
$18.05
Sound sample
Teen Beat Vol.6 (CD)
Various: Teen Beat Vol.6 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDCHD1518

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(Ace Records UK) 26 Tracks - With 24-page booklet containing liner notes by Dave Burke and Alan Taylor, fantastic pictures, photos, memorabilia and label scans! A much-anticipated new collection of rockin’ instrumentals from the Golden...
$18.05
Sound sample
The Early Years 1956-69 (CD)
James Burton: The Early Years 1956-69 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDCHD1313

only 1x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(Ace Records) 28 tracks (63:30) with 16 page booklet. First multi label/ artist collection of the best of James Burton's instrumental work and his distinctive guitar. A Killer album! The story of James Burton’s early years told in this...
$18.05
Sound sample
The Dore Story - Postcards From Los Angeles 1958-1964 (CD)
Various: The Dore Story - Postcards From Los Angeles... Art-Nr.: CDTOP1293

only 2x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(2011/ACE) 28 tracks of rare Rock'n'Roll, Doo Wop and Instumentals 1958-64. Slipcase packaging with 44 page booklet. - A one-man operation run at street level for more than two decades, Hollywood’s Doré label launched the careers of Phil...
$19.18
Sound sample
Video
The Piltdown Men Ride Again (CD)
The Piltdown Men: The Piltdown Men Ride Again (CD) Art-Nr.: CDCHD681

only 1x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(ACE Records) 29 Tracks (69:39) - With 12 page booklet - All the Piltdown Men’s instrumentals on the Capitol label in their primaeval rocking glory, including the hits, rare singles and three quality unreleased tracks. There are more...
$18.05
Sound sample
Here Today! The Songs Of Brian Wilson
Various: Here Today! The Songs Of Brian Wilson Art-Nr.: CDCHD1445

only 1x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(Ace) 25 tracks, 20-page booklet with fully detailed liner notes, label shots and many very rare pictures and photos. A celebration of Brian Wilson's songwriting genius up through the years and decades by various great artists!...
$18.05
The Birth Of Surf Vol.2 (CD)
Various: The Birth Of Surf Vol.2 (CD) Art-Nr.: CDCHD1252

only 1x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(2010/ACE) 26 tracks 1959-67 with 20 page booklet.
$18.05
Sound sample
Intoxica !
Various: Intoxica ! Art-Nr.: CDCHD1114

only 2x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(2006/ACE) 26 tracks, the first volume of the large and fascinating Downey catalogue!/Die erste Scheibe des Downey Katalogs mit vielen Instro-Rockern der frühen 60er Jahre!
$18.05
Clovis Classics - The Definitive Collection (CD)
The Fireballs: Clovis Classics - The Definitive Collection (CD) Art-Nr.: CDCHD1112

only 1x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(2006/ACE) 30 tracks 1959-69 / remastered (24-BIT) & stereo remixes from original master tapes with 16 page booklet / Rock & Roll & Beat Aufnahmen in digital überarbeiteter Soundqualität - Highlight ! defintive career spanning collection...
$18.05
Sound sample
Big Sixties Beat Party!
Sandy Nelson: Big Sixties Beat Party! Art-Nr.: CDCHD1080

only 2x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(2005/ACE) 24 tracks 1965-69 Imperial Album & Single sides Many great supporting musicians are featured, including Gerry McGee (Ventures), Tommy Tedesco, Carol Kaye, Rene Hall, Jim Horn, Larry Knetchel, Al Casey, Don Randi, Mars Bonfire...
$16.92 $18.05
Sound sample
Happy Organs, Wild Guitars & Piano Shuffles
Dave 'Baby' Cortez: Happy Organs, Wild Guitars & Piano Shuffles Art-Nr.: CDCHD386

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

(ACE) 24 original Clock recordings - back in stock/wieder lieferbar !
$7.90 $18.05
Torquay - Campusology
The Fireballs: Torquay - Campusology Art-Nr.: CDCHD452

only 1x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

CD on ACE RECORDS by The Fireballs - Torquay - Campusology
$18.05
Fireballs & Vaquero
The Fireballs: Fireballs & Vaquero Art-Nr.: CDCHD447

only 1x still available
Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

$18.05