In the early '60s, as California beach subculture gained awareness in the national psyche, so too did its musical soundtrack, surf rock. Early surf rock tracks were strictly instrumentals created to replicate the exhilarating rush of shooting the tube. Dick Dale is considered by many to be the father of the movement, with his extended guitar arpeggios fed through an electric reverberation unit. Soon, the Ventures, the Chantays and the Surfaris scored national hits and expanded surf influences to include Middle Eastern modalities and futuristic exotica. As the instrumental craze gained momentum, a new surf sound emerged. Californians Jan & Dean were singing Everly Brothers-style harmonies over lyrics celebrating the emerging hot rod and beach bunny lifestyle. However, the kings of vocal surf music were undoubtedly the Beach Boys. Led by mastermind/savant Brian Wilson, they sang uplifting, complex harmonies over a driving rock 'n' roll beat. As the '60s blossomed, action-packed instrumentals gave way to Wilson's Technicolor vision, but successive waves of surf revival have kept the sound afloat.

Notable Artists: the Mermen, the Astronauts, Dick Dale