Surf Music and the British Invasion

Surf Music and the British Invasion Mr. Cowan AMU4EI

California • 1950’s and 1960’s saw a huge influx in people looking for new opportunities in California • Many travelled with the hopes of fun, sun and jobs. • California represented a new music that was bright, fun, and playful • Glorified beaches, bikinis, and hot rods which all promoted this “California Myth”

Surfing U.S.A Originated in Hawaii and became extremely popular in the 1950’s in California 100,000 teens became surfers virtually overnight Music sprung up around the surfing movement and became the soundtrack to their lives

Surf Music Surf music reflected and promoted the myth of the California wonderland Glorified one of the most attractive elements of the California myth…. Beaches and Girls….

The Sound of the Surf Surf music originated with Dick Dale and the Deltones Musician fused his 2 passions in life…surfing and music During the summer of 1961, Dale was playing around California at parties and dances Released records for surfers: “Surf Beat”, “Surfing Drums”, “Lets go Tripping”

Dick Dale: Audio Clip, Video from R n R Part 2

The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys Brought surf music to the main stage Consisted of: Brian Wilson, his 2 brothers, a cousin, and a classmate Smoothed out the edges of the rougher sounding surf music by combining beautiful harmonies and pop music Within weeks of recording their first single, “surfin” hit the top 100 charts

The Beach Boys In May of 1963, they released “Surfin’ USA In 1964, scored a huge hit with “Surfer Girl” Video: Surfer Girl, Surfin Safari

Sound began to evolve away from the pop surf sound they were famous for Brian Wilson took control (genius) By 1964, the road became too much for Wilson and he suffered an anxiety attack and quit touring Wanted to focus on recording and producing

Sound evolved and was heavily influenced by the psychedelic movement Released “Pet Sounds” with the hit “Good Vibrations” Video: Good Vibrations

Brian’s Breakdown Wilson became a frequent user of LSD Led to a nervous breakdown Put the album they were working on on the shelf

Pet Sounds Wilson heard the Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” in 1965 and wanted to write a response to it and he was moved by the album Then wanted to make the “…greatest album ever made!” Released pet sounds in 1966 Songs were sophisticated and complex

Heavily influences by LSD Complex harmonies Layered instrumentation Experimenting with recording techniques and instruments Hits included: “Wouldn’t it be Nice, “God Only Knows” Received praise from critics but album sales were low

Brian withdrew from touring to complete the album Beach Boys were touring in Japan and upon their return, the record was nearly complete Mike Love and the members were strongly against this new approach Started issues in the band that would never really go away

Good Vibrations Single releases in 1966 Song became the band’s biggest hit Spent more money on this single than most bands did on entire albums Took over 3 months to record at 3 different studios Features the theremin

Smile Began recording in late ’66 and early ’67 Wilson solo album  band didn’t agree Wilson was under a tremendous amount of pressure to finish the album He was addicted to a variety of drugs The album was shelved and not released until 2004

Mental Breakdown Drugs took over his life 1969-1970: healthy, lost weight Following his father’s death in 1973, Wilson slipped into a deep depression Took a lot of drugs and overate Voice deteriorated (smoking, drugs) Stayed in bed for months

Surf Music and the British Invasion