The Surfaris April 11, 2010

The original band members were Ron Wilson (drums), Jim Fuller (lead guitar), Bob Berryhill (rhythm guitar) and Pat Connolly (bass). Saxophone player Jim Pash joined after their "Wipe Out" / "Surfer Joe" recording sessions at Pal Studios. Ken Forssi, later of Love, played bass with The Surfaris, as well as Jack Oldham, who performed with the group from 1966-1967, including a performance at the 1967 Grammy Awards.
Wilson's energetic drum solo made "Wipe Out" one of the best-remembered instrumental 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), and a maniacal laugh followed by the only two words of the song, "wipe out". "Wipe Out" was written in the studio by the four original members (Berryhill, Connolly, Fuller, Wilson), and was originally going to be titled "Switchblade". It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[1]
The band released a series of records, with two other singles, "Surfer Joe" and "Point Panic", having an impact on the charts. Point Panic is a renowned surfing venue in Hawaii named after the song.
The Surfaris disbanded in 1966 but have periodically reunited and are still active as of 2008[update], performing and recording, often re-recording their old and new songs. They still perform as Bob Berryhill's Surfaris and Jim Fuller's Surfaris (two separate groups) all over United States and Europe with a large fan base. Todays feature picture is The Surfaris in 2007.

Todays audio addition: The Regents playing "Wipeout" in 1966

PARTY TIME

Get your dancin' shoes on cause "Lightning" Len Siemens and Ernie Niederer have secured the Prince Edward Legion (Langford Legion) Auditorium for a Victoria Music Hall of Fame fundraiser and dance on Saturday April 24, 2010. Both Lightning Express and Cruel Shoes Rock "N" Blues Band will perform with some "special guests" sitting in throughout the evening. Tickets are $15. each or $20. a couple (that's just ten bucks each!) and are available now at Alpine Auto Repair in Langford, Long & McQuade on Hillside, Ryder's Roadhouse in Mill Bay or e mail [email protected]. Buy your tickets now and mark that date in your calendar, it'll be a blast.

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