The Chantays, the legendary surf band from the early sixties, were made world-famous by their hit instrumental, Pipeline (1963). They formed in 1961 when five high-school friends decided to form a rock band. Bob Spickard, Brian Carman (co-writers of Pipeline), Bob Welch, Warren Waters and Rob Marshall were all students at Santa Ana High School in California, when a local group called The Rhythm Rockers inspired the five to form The Chantays. In December 1962 the group recorded and released Pipeline, which eventually peaked at #4 on the Hot 100 in May 1963.
The Chantays recorded their first album in 1963, also titled Pipeline, which included the songs Blunderbus and El Conquistador. Their follow-up album was Two Sides of The Chantays in 1964. Their music combined electronic keyboards and surf guitar, creating a unique ghostly sound. Their songs have climbed music charts all over the world and they helped make surf music an international success.
The Chantays toured Japan and the US, joining the Righteous Brothers and Roy Orbison on a few occasions, and they had the dubious honor of being the only rock and roll band to perform on the Lawrence Welk Show.
The Chantays have also been included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. Pipeline is listed as one of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. "Along with Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers and Oscar winner Diane Keaton, The Chantays were honored by the City of Santa Ana, California and Santa Ana High School when they had a street named after them -- Chantays Way. OC Weekly Magazine also named The Chantays as one of the Best Orange County Bands Ever.
Let's go surfin'. Pipeline.
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