The Surfaris

The Surfaris are a surf rock group that was formed in Glendora, California, in 1962. The original line-up was Ronald Wilson (drums and vocals), Jim Fuller (lead guitarist and vocals), Patrick Connolly (bass and vocals), Robert Berryhill (rhythm guitar) and Jim Pash (saxophone and organ). The group was still in high school when they recorded their breakthrough smash signature song, "Wipe Out." An extremely dynamic and exciting instrumental that's highlighted by Wilson's fiercely energetic drumming, a hard-driving beat and a wild hyena-like maniacal laugh (done by manager Dale Smallin) at the very start of the song, "Wipe Out" went all the way to #2 on the Billboard pop charts and sold over a million copies. Both the amusing novelty tune "Surfer Joe" and the thrilling instrumental "Point Panic" were also modest chart hits. The Surfaris recorded about a half-dozen albums and a slew of singles before disbanding in 1966.

Widely hailed as one of the great surfing anthems, "Wipe Out" has graced the soundtracks to such movies as Surf's Up (2007), Herbie Fully Loaded (2005), Little Big League (1994), The Sandlot (1993), Dirty Dancing (1987), Get Crazy (1983) and The Wanderers (1979). In 1991 the band were inducted into the Surf Music Walk of Fame at Euro Disneyworld in France and on April 12, 1996, they were inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk as legends of rock-'n-'roll. Two different incarnations of the Surfaris exist: Jim Fuller fronts one version, which tours all over Europe and America, while Robert Berryhill performs with his family at various venues all over the US.