Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

“Last Wave of the Day”: Lights Out for Surf?

Along with “Hit the Surf” by The Sea Shells (previously celebrated here), “Last Wave of the Day” by The Riptides – from the Mondo Hollywood soundtrack album – is another late surf-era track from 1967 that begs the question:  who recorded the last original era surf tune and when?

Important to note that, by this point in the band’s history, the bassist had left the group — and yet this in no way deterred The Riptides from submitting a bass-less recording for the film’s soundtrack.  Years later, however, The Riptides would admit on their Burbank, California high school website that, without bottom end, the song “suffered as a result.”

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For Mike Curb, Music & Politics Do Mix

The same person who wrote “Last Wave of the Day” – Mike Curb – had also started his first record label, Sidewalk Records, in 1963 when he was only eighteen.  Curb would go on to run MGM’s record division and later, prompted in part by Ronald Reagan, successfully run for Lt. Governor of California in 1978 and serve under Governor Jerry Brown (essentially as Acting Governor when Brown made his run in 1979-80 for the Presidency).

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LINK to Cash-In Albums +/- 45s

LINK to Various Artists Compilations

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