The Bel Airs & the South Bay Sound The first true surf band is generally considered to be The Bel Airs. Paul Johnson and Eddie Bertrand met in 1960 and formed the nucleus of the band. They idolized The Storms, Duane Eddy, Link Wray, The Fireballs, The Ventures, and Johnny & The Hurricanes. The Bel Airs formed when Richard Delvy on drums, Chas Stuart on sax and Jim Roberts on piano (sometimes) joined with Johnson and Bertrand. In May of 1961, The Bel Airs recorded Mr. Moto, a mutual composition by Paul Johnson and Richard Delvy, along with several other tunes. Arvee Records released the single that summer, making Mr. Moto the first surf tune recorded by a surf band. Paul Johnson went on to write a number of classic surf tunes, including Squad Car, Scouse, and Chifflado. Johnsons distinctive style became known as the South Bay Sound, spawning and inspiring many other bands in the region including The Challengers and Thom Starr & The Galaxies.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:38:34 +0000
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