Surf rock may have started as a regional fad, full of sun-soaked melodies and twangy guitars. But several visionary artists helped push it beyond its confines. Soon, it became a nationwide phenomenon, bottling up some beach air and sending it to even the most landlocked of states. The three seminal 1960s records below played a large role in expanding surf rock’s reach.
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‘Surfers’ Choice’ — Dick Dale And His Del-Tones
Dick Dale And His Del-Tones’ Surfers’ Choice is often considered the grandfather of all surf rock albums. This record brought the Southern California sensibility to the masses, establishing the boundaries of the sub-genre.
The echoey guitars used on this record made the “wet” sound of rock what we know it as today. If you’ve ever heard a song and thought, “This is what the beach sounds like,” you have Dale to thank for setting the ground rules.
‘(The) Ventures In Space’ — The Ventures
While Dale helped take surf rock around the country, The Ventures took it far beyond. (The) Ventures In Space explored the outer reaches of our universe via the lens of SoCal rock. The same titular twangy guitars are present here, but with a space-age twist.
The Space Race was encapsulated in this culturally relevant record. The Ventures not only capitalized on the growing popularity of the sub-genre but also on the sentiments around the country. While it would be several years before the Space Race was officially called, this rock album helped increase the fervor for space travel across the U.S.
‘Surf City’ — Jan & Dean
Jan & Dean earned the first surf rock No. 1, so naturally they had to be on this list. Though many people credit the Beach Boys with catapulting surf rock into the mainstream, this duo is equally, if not more, responsible. Brian Wilson helped pen “Surf City”, intertwining the careers of these two surf rock heavyweights.
This album, named after their No. 1 hit, is excellent cover to cover. It has many songs that surf rock fans know and love, adding a layer of nostalgia to this listening experience. If you’re looking for a titular surf rock record, this is the ultimate choice. It’s surf rock at its most basic, creating a blueprint of sorts for every other band to build on.
(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
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