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Instrumental Surf Music

The Ventures' "Walk, Don't Run"

#2, 1960
(released a new version in 1964 that went to #8)

Musical characteristics:

• twangy, metallic guitar sound
• mechanical drum beat
• simple melodies

   

Dick Dale & his Del-tones

considered the harbinger of the the surf music craze of the 60s

"Let's Go Trippin'" was released 2 months before the Beach Boys' "Surfin"

Let's Go Trippin'

(#60 pop, 1961)

Dale's twangy, heavily reverbed Fender Stratocaster guitar tone and staccato slide down the strings became staples of the surf music sound

though left-handed, he played the guitar upside down (foreshadowing Jimi Hendrix?)

developed a close business partnership, designing the Showman amp with Leo Fender

Miserlou

(never hit the Top 40)

originally, Miserlou was a Greek pop standard in the 40s

• Dale was of Labanese decent and often worked middle eastern melodies into his music
• recorded Hava Nagila as the B-side of one of his singles

his Surfer's Choice album (1962) failed to make a national impact

• Dale maintains that, because he attained such a high degree of popularity in southern CA, he never felt the desire to tour nationally

both of Dick Dale's hits heard above were covered on early Beach Boys albums

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