Gene Gray & The Stingrays (a typo on their record label spelled it "Stingerays") recorded their only single in 1963, a rare surf instrumental obscurity called "Surf Bunny." For reasons unknown, The Stingrays made the record as a trio without a rhythm guitarist. Gray is heard shouting the imaginary lady's measurements at the end of each 12-bar passage ("36!...24!...36!").
Gray (real name: Gene Hofford) started playing guitar as a child in Louisiana. Gray moved to Pomona in eastern Los Angeles County. "Surf Bunny" was not originally intended to be released as a record, but was done as a favor to Gray's mother, who was visiting from Louisiana and wanted to take home a tape of her son's band.
The tape came into the hands of Eddie Davis, owner of Linda Records, who released the single in March 1963. It received some local airplay but was unsuccessful on a national level, although it was leased to Dot Records for national distribution. http://www.rockabillyswing.ru/surf/cowabunga/cowabung2eng.htm
7 Comments (since 4 Nov 2013)
music_xplosion
Gene Gray & The Stingrays (a typo on their record label spelled it "Stingerays") recorded their only single in 1963, a rare surf instrumental obscurity called "Surf Bunny." For reasons unknown, The Stingrays made the record as a trio without a rhythm guitarist. Gray is heard shouting the imaginary lady's measurements at the end of each 12-bar passage ("36!...24!...36!").
music_xplosion
Gray (real name: Gene Hofford) started playing guitar as a child in Louisiana. Gray moved to Pomona in eastern Los Angeles County. "Surf Bunny" was not originally intended to be released as a record, but was done as a favor to Gray's mother, who was visiting from Louisiana and wanted to take home a tape of her son's band.
music_xplosion
The tape came into the hands of Eddie Davis, owner of Linda Records, who released the single in March 1963. It received some local airplay but was unsuccessful on a national level, although it was leased to Dot Records for national distribution. http://www.rockabillyswing.ru/surf/cowabunga/cowabung2eng.htm
uchitel96
Great example of surf music--and a new one to me!
zodat
Love it! Oh, those drums!
music_xplosion
@uchitel96 Glad to have introduced it to you :) Thanks for listening!
music_xplosion
@zodat Yes, amazing isn't it :)