The Roots of Instrumental and Vocal Surf Music
Brent Fouch is a respected presence in the Southern California entrepreneurial community who has focused on next generation technology solutions. A longtime surfer and music enthusiast, Brent Fouch enjoys playing the guitar and drums in his free time.
One of the classic rock sounds that emerged in the early 1960s was surf music, which had its genesis in Elvis Presley’s groundbreaking combination of blues, country, and hillbilly. As it evolved, the music was split into two broad categories, vocal and instrumental, with pop groups such as the Beach Bout and Jan & Dean defining the former type. The vocal version was harmony laden and gained wide appeal for its universal themes of beach parties, hot rods, and fun.
Driving and propulsive, the revved up instrumental form of the music featured twangy electric guitar hooks and mimicked the actual rush of riding a wave. With the Bel Airs pioneering the sound, among the early progenitors of the form were The Ventures, Dick Dale, and the Del-Tones. A peak moment occurred in 1962 with the Chantays’ hit “Pipeline,” which still stands as an archetypal sound of a genre that has proved surprisingly resilient over the decades.
One of the classic rock sounds that emerged in the early 1960s was surf music, which had its genesis in Elvis Presley’s groundbreaking combination of blues, country, and hillbilly. As it evolved, the music was split into two broad categories, vocal and instrumental, with pop groups such as the Beach Bout and Jan & Dean defining the former type. The vocal version was harmony laden and gained wide appeal for its universal themes of beach parties, hot rods, and fun.
Driving and propulsive, the revved up instrumental form of the music featured twangy electric guitar hooks and mimicked the actual rush of riding a wave. With the Bel Airs pioneering the sound, among the early progenitors of the form were The Ventures, Dick Dale, and the Del-Tones. A peak moment occurred in 1962 with the Chantays’ hit “Pipeline,” which still stands as an archetypal sound of a genre that has proved surprisingly resilient over the decades.
