Surf Music: Album, Track and Artist Charts

Unlimited Music

Description of Surf

Surf began with early 1960s beach music from Southern California. The fast-paced, trebly, rolling sound of songs like "Miserlou" by Dick Dale & the Del-Tones served as the perfect soundtrack for riding the waves. Although Dale is the acknowledged godfather of the form, the Surfaris' "Wipe Out" is by far the best-known instrumental Surf tune. Like Dale, a few artists such as the Ventures managed to make a career out of Surf instrumentals, but the majority faded into obscurity. Nonetheless, the music's cinematic, impressionistic nature has influenced guitar players worldwide. The pristine harmonies of the vocal Surf sound -- best defined by the early work of the Beach Boys and Jan & Dean, who sang choir-like hymns to sun and uncomplicated fun -- has been equally influential.

Surf Key Tracks

Play/Add All

Play/Add	Track	Artist
	1. Walk-Don't Run	The Ventures
	2. Misirlou	Dick Dale
	3. Latin'ia	The Sentinals
	4. Surf City	Jan and Dean
	5. K-39	The Challengers
	6. Space Race	Gene and the Esquires
	7. Intoxica	Jim Waller and the Deltas
	8. Surfin' Tragedy	Bob Vaught and The Renegaids

Filed Under

Oldies > '60s Oldies > Surf

Surf Key Artists

Dick Dale

His Latin-influenced,
lightning-fast, staccato
arpeggios have been aped
by anyone who has ever
played Surf music.

Gary Usher

West Coast producer
whose early hot rod and
Surf tracks were cranked
out at a mechanical pace
without a dip in quality. In...

Jan and Dean

Early '60s faves whose
brilliant singles and
production helped create
the West Coast music
mythology. Jan & Dean's ea...

Paul Johnson

One of the rocking pioneers
of Surf guitar, Johnson was
a charter member of the
Surfaris and the Belairs.

The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys personified
the California spirit with
their harmonious pop. Brian
Wilson is widely heralded as
a mad genius. "Pet Sounds...

The Bel-Airs

Influential Surf combo
known for the sax-addled,
south-of-the-border cool
breeze of "Mr. Moto."

The Centurions

Their sleazy sax and
wobbly, trebly guitar
creates a slower, spooky
Surf sound. As heard on the
"Pulp Fiction" soundtrack.

The Chantays

Creators of the essential
"Pipeline," whose
atmospheric bass and
reverb sound remains a
landmark recording.

The Lively Ones

Classic Surf Rock with the
guitar reverb cranked to 11,
stripshow burlesque sax
solos and drums like
castanets.

The Pyramids

Short-lived California Surf
group whose hit,
"Penetration" was one of
the last Surf tracks to make
it into the charts. The gro...

The Rip Chords

Surf/hot-rod group
remembered for the
admittedly derivative yet
wonderful hit "Hey Little
Cobra."

The Sentinals

The Sentinals were a
semi-heavy 1960s surf band
prone to tossing Latin
influences into their songs.
Check out "Latin'ia."

The Surfaris

Surf group best known for
"Wipe Out" whose
reverb-soaked guitar sound
has been an unmistakable
influence on pop music....

The Tornadoes

American group whose use
of reverb, a wailing sax and
snappy backbeat helped
spawn the Surf craze. The
group are often confused...

The Trashmen

Known for "Surfin' Bird,"
this group boiled it all down
to pounding drums, yelping
vocals and made an anthem.
Their most famous song is...

The Ventures

One of the most prolific
instrumental bands of the
'60s, the Ventures are best
known for the theme to
"Hawaii 5-0". The Venture...

Surf

Description of Surf

Surf Key Tracks

Surf Key Albums

Filed Under

Surf Key Artists

Electronics

Listen to any song in the catalog through home audio systems, MP3 players, mobile apps and more.

Get Unlimited Music

Listen to anything and everything with a Rhapsody Subscription.

Follow Us

On Twitter and Facebook.