The Surfaris

Bio

WIPE OUT – SURFER JOE – POINT PANIC

Initially catapulted by the California surf culture, The Surfaris transcended the local scene into international stardom with their hit song “Wipe Out.” In 1962, Bob Berryhill (15), Jim Fuller (15), Pat Connolly (15) and Ron Wilson (17) from Glendora, California formed The Surfaris.

On a cold December night in 1962, these four young men wrote Wipe Out in the studio after recording Surfer Joe. With the help of manager Dale Smallin(Wipe Out laugh intro) and recording engineer Paul Buff, The Surfaris recorded the 1963 hit version of Wipe Out and Surfer Joe.

From there, the band went on to play teen centers and dance halls around Southern California.  With the help of their fans, the new surf music craze, music publishers, radio DJ’s, and Dot Records, Wipe Out rose to #2 on the Billboard charts. Like the band “The Wonders” in Tom Hank’s classic film “That Thing You Do,” The Surfaris were catapulted into international stardom in about 6 months. Billboard posts the “Hottest 100 Songs of Summer in 1966.”Wipe Out went back up to #16 in ’66.

The Surfaris were invited to perform on music tours of Hawaii, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and across the United States. They began sharing the stage with legendary acts like The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Jan and Dean, The Righteous Brothers, The Turtles, Dick Dale, and The Ventures among others. The Surfaris made numerous television appearances including performances on Shivareeand Ninth Street West. The original line-up of the band performed from 1962-1966.

From the 1960’s to today, The Surfaris founding members have continued performing live with various side players filling in as needed. Original members Jim Fuller (guitar), Ron Wilson (drums) and Jim Pash (sax) have since passed away. Original bass player Pat Connelly no longer performs. Bob Berryhill is currently the only original founding member of The Surfaris that officially performs and records as The Surfaris. Bob’s current Surfaris line-up continues to tour playing their hits including Wipe Out, Surfer Joe, Point PanicSimilauand others. Bob Berryhill’s Surfaris have recorded two modern albums “Wipe Out” and “The Surfaris Hurley Sessions.” Both are available on iTunes and Google Play. Recently the band was interviewed on KUSI TV, 91X radio (San Diego, CA) and has performed at great concert venues such as The Cannery Casino (Las Vegas, NV) The House of Blues (Anaheim, CA), Angel Stadium, The Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts, The Clark Center, San Diego County Fair, Glendale Cruise Night, The Starlight Bowl (Burbank, CA), The Harris Performing Arts Center (Folsom, CA), The Endless Summer Winery (Port St. Lucie, FL), The 50th Anniversary of The Surfaris and The Kingsmen at Tim’s Toyota Center (Prescott, AZ), Automania Car Show (Sioux Falls, SD) The Fiesta Del Sol (Solana Beach, CA), “The Pinned Miami Event” at The Miami Beach Convention Center (Miami, FL), the Warner Grand Theater (San Pedro, CA.), and many more. The band is currently managed by legendary K-Earth 101 DJ, Mr. Rock N’ Roll, Brian Beirne, and performs concerts alongside great acts such as The Ventures, Frankie Avalon, The Diamonds, Brooklyn Bridge, The Marcels, The Tokens, The Kingsmen, Herman’s Hermits, Jan and Dean, and 80’s groups The Motels, The Surf Punks and many others.

Bob and his band continue to play the music and tell the amazing story behind the music of
THE SURFARIS.

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