Wipe Out

WIPEOUT
 
 
"Wipe Out"  is an instrumental composed by Bob Berryhill, Pat Connolly, Jim Fuller, and Ron Wilson.  It is a twelve bar blues first performed and recorded by the Surfaris, who were elevated to international status with the release of the "Surfer Joe" and "Wipe Out" single in 1963.  The term "wipe out" refers to a fall from a surfboard, especially one that looks painful.  (More from Wikipedia)
 
 

Except for the manic "ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha Wipeout!!!" at the beginning, "Wipeout" is a million-selling surf instrumental dating from 1963.  As performed by the Surfaris, this song made it to #2 on the charts, kept from the top only by "Little" Stevie Wonder's first hit song "Fingertips". 

 

The Surfaris were high school friends from Glendora, California; bandmembers were Ron Wilson (drums, vocals), Jim Fuller (lead guitar), Bob Berryhill (rhythm guitar) and Pat Connolly (bass guitar).  "Wipeout" was originally the "B" side of their first single; "Surfer Joe" was on the "A" side. 

 

Wikipedia reports:  "The song ["Wipeout"] – both the Surfaris' version as well as cover versions – has been featured in over 20 films and television series since 1964, appearing at least once a decade.  First heard in Kenneth Anger's short Scorpio Rising [1963], its most recent appearance was in Dominic Sena's 2009 thriller, Whiteout."  

 

(December 2014)

 

Last edited: March 22, 2021