The Lively Ones

The Lively Ones
The Surfmen
1963 Performance Flyer
Background information
OriginCalifornia, U.S.
GenreSurf
Years active1962-1965
LabelDel-Fi
Past membersJim Masoner
Ed Chiaverini
Joel Willenbring
Tim Fitzpatrick
John Benton
Tracy Sands
Earthman III
Ron Griffith

The Lively Ones, originally The Surfmen, were an American surf music band from southern California in the 1960s.

Background

They played live mostly in California and Arizona. They recorded for Del-Fi records with production from Bob Keane. They recorded mostly cover songs, but there were a few originals.

Their 1963 song "Surf Rider" (written by Nokie Edwards from The Ventures) was featured in the final sequence as well as the end credits of Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film Pulp Fiction. The Lively Ones were interviewed by Pipeline Instrumental Review in 1997 which also showcased their discography.

They are best known with these members:

Currently, John Benton plays rhythm/alternate lead guitar and Tracy Sands plays bass guitar. Recent live shows have featured Earthman on rhythm/alternate lead guitar. Ron Griffith, original bassist, died January 2, 2025.

Discography

Albums

  • Surf Rider! (Del-Fi DFLP-1226, 4/63)
  • Surf Drums (Del-Fi DFLP-1231, 6/63)
  • Surf City (Del-Fi DFLP-1237, 8/63)
  • The Great Surf Hits! (Del-Fi DFLP-1238, 9/63)
  • Surfin' South of the Border (Del-Fi DFLP-1240, 11/64) shared album with the Surf Mariachis
  • Bugalu Party (MGM SE-4449, 1967)

CD compilations

  • Hang Five! The Best of the Lively Ones (Del-Fi DFCD-9004, 1995)
  • Heads Up! The Best of the Lively Ones, Vol. 2 (Del-Fi DFCD-9005, 1999)

Singles

  • "Crying Guitar" // "Guitarget" (Del-Fi DF-4184, 10/62)
  • "Miserlou" // "Livin'" (Del-Fi DF-4189, 11/62)
  • "Surf Rider" // "Surfer's Lament" (Del-Fi DF-4196, 2/63)
  • "Rik-A-Tic" // "Surfer Boogie" (Del-Fi DF-4205, 4/63)
  • "High Tide" // "Goofy Foot" (Del-Fi DF-4210, 6/63)
  • "Telstar Surf" // "Surf City" (Del-Fi DF-4217, 7/63)
  • "Exodus" // "Surfing Memories" (Del-Fi DF-4224, 10/63)
  • "Night And Day" // "Hey, Scrounge" (Smash S-1880, 2/64)
  • "Bugalu Movement" // "Take It While You Can" (MGM K-13691, 3/67)

References

  1. ↑ McLellan, Dennis (November 30, 2009). "Bob Keane dies at 87; discovered Ritchie Valens". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  2. ↑ Leigh, Spencer (January 28, 2010). "Bob Keane: Record producer who kick-started the careers of Sam Cooke, Frank Zappa and Barry White". The Independent. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Surfin' To The Sound Of The Lively Ones". geezermusicclub.com. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  4. ↑ Grow, Kory (May 21, 2014). "Surf Music and Seventies Soul: The Songs of 'Pulp Fiction'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ Burke, Dave, ed. (1997). "The Lively Ones Interview". Pipeline Instrumental Review (36): 5–9. ISSN 1470-8353.
  6. ↑ "The Lively Ones - Biography". 45cat.com. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  7. ↑ "The Lively Ones". aaemusic.com. Retrieved July 28, 2026.

Bibliography