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Chapter 54: Summertime

Surf & beach rock

I can practically smell the seafoam the moment the rolling drum solos and cycling guitar of “Wipe Out” get going. I can’t tell you why it’s such an effective evocation of surfing; sensory associations are a powerful thing. I do know that the music of The Surfaris, The Atlantics and Dick Dale is truly perfect, immediate and transportive. The rest of this summery chapter is just as onomatopoeic, from the super sleek “G.T.O.” to “96 Tears,” delivering organ blasts so bright I get a suntan just by listening.
1. The Surfaris

Wipe Out

2. Eddie Cochran

Summertime Blues

3. Link Wray

Rumble*

4. Ronny & The Daytonas

G.T.O.

5. ? And The Mysterians

96 Tears

6. The Atlantics

Bombora

7. Dick Dale

Misirlou

8. The Beach Boys

Surfin' U.S.A.

9. Ricky Nelson

Summertime

10. The Pyramids

Penetration

*Not on Spotify