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.