Vocal Surf

Vocal surf was created in the early 1960s when Californian Pop Rock recording artists began appropriating the sounds of instrumental Surf Rock, combining surfing- and car-themed lyrics with a style that drew primarily from Doo-Wop and Rock & Roll. Lead electric 'surf guitar' playing is de-emphasized (or removed entirely) in favor of saxophones, vocal harmonies, and Boogie Woogie pianos. Its singers often engage in falsetto or nasal singing exemplified by The Beach Boys, who (along with Jan & Dean) iconized this music which would later be strongly associated with the 'California sound'. Other vocal surf examples include The Honeys, Bruce & Terry, The Rip Chords, and The Fantastic Baggys.