Wipe Out

Together with Pat Connolly, Jim Fuller, and Ron Wilson, Bob Berryhill created the surf rock instrumental Wipe Out. The song, which was written as a twelve-bar blues, was first performed and recorded by the Surfaris, who rose to fame in 1963 as a result of the single.

The song was initially released on the independent labels DFS (#11/12) and Princess (#50) in January and February of 1963, respectively, before being finally selected for national distribution on Dot as 45-16479 in April. The single was reissued by Dot as 45-144 in April 1965. Since 1964, the song has featured at least once every ten years in over 20 movies and television shows, including the Surfaris' original version and cover versions. A fall from a surfboard, especially one that appears painful, is referred to as a "wipe out."

When they realized they needed a suitable B-side for the planned "Surfer Joe" record in late 1962 at Pal Recording Studio in Cucamonga, California, Bob Berryhill, Pat Connolly, Jim Fuller, and Ron Wilson almost immediately came up with "Wipe Out." One of the band members had the idea to start the song off with a cracking noise that resembled a surfboard breaking, followed by the maniacal rambling of "ha ha ha ha ha, wipe out." Dale Smallin, the band's manager, was speaking.

Artist: The Surfaris
Released: January 1963
Genre: Surf rock