The Surfaris Story
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 posted the "Hottest 100 Songs of Summer in 1966." A rarity in the music business, Wipe Out went back up to #16 in '66.
From the 1960's to today, Bob has 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 and his band continue to play the music and tell the amazing story behind the music of
THE SURFARIS.
The Surfaris celebrated 50 years of Wipe Out!
The Surfaris who wrote and recorded the 1963 hit song Wipe Out. L-R Pat Connolly, Jim Fuller, Ron Wilson, Bob Berryhill
The Surfaris Play album on Decca Records, which included sax player Jim Pash. This album cover was featured by Time Magazine as one of the 35 greatest rock album covers of all time. Click photo for article. 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 tv shows like Shivaree and Ninth Street West. The original line-up of the band performed from '62-'66. See The Surfaris current stage show below.
Bob in 1965