Pipeline

“Pipeline”  is an instrumental surf rock song by The Chantays, which was recorded in 1962.  The tune, originally called “Liberty’s Whip”, was renamed after the band members saw a surfing movie showing scenes of the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii.  The tune, fitting in with the popular surfing craze of the time, swiftly rose up the Billboard Pop charts, reaching #4, and becoming a classic hit of its time.  “Pipeline” was The Chantays’ only hit single and is considered one of the landmarks of the surf genre.  The track’s distinctive sound was largely due to the mix being “upside down” when compared to standard rock and roll of the era; the bass guitar, electric piano and rhythm guitar were at the forefront, while the lead guitar and drums were less prominent.  (More from Wikipedia)

 

Still, the March 1966 release date for “Eight Miles High” by the Byrds seemed to me to be a little late; surely there are older psychedelic rock songs than this?  I hunted around and found plenty of earlier garage rock songs, but not many psychedelic rock songs.  There are older songs that have a spooky feel or unusual textures, such as one of my all-time favorites, “Funnel of Love” by Wanda Jackson (1961) that I have written about previously, “Sally Go ’Round the Roses” by the Jaynetts (1963), and the surf rock instrumental “Pipeline” by the Chantays (1963). 

(July 2015)