Posted on May 15 2017 03:02 PM
Dave, my post was not intended to be critical of Berryhill's performance with his family, but just to point out the exit of the last original member of the longest running instrumental band as well as the demise of many 1st Wave guitarists which has left a void in most of the recognized 1st Wave bands, such as the Surfaris.
As the attorney for a promoter of a music festival, I have tried to bring individual members of 1st Wave bands together to perform in one band, playing their respective hits, as well as music from other bands that each had likely played hundreds of times over the years. What band has never played Miserlou? Unfortunately, most no longer perform, or, some like Berryhill, have assembled new band members, in Berryhill's case family members, but nonetheless play original material.
Case in point: a few weeks ago I ran down one of the founding members of the Genteels, (Take It Off) with the idea of having him perform. He is now an undertaker in his 70's and wants nothing to do with performing. One could argue that the Genteels were not the seminal surf band, but also admit they contributed to the 1st Wave surf genre. Because I shared the stage with them many times, I can attest to that fact.
On a previous post I made a point of the proliferation of tribute bands (not making a case pro or con-just the existence thereof) and based upon the recent exit of Don Wilson, the last man standing from the original Ventures, plus Berryhill being the last man standing from the Surfaris. (I can't use the term "Original for the Surfaris because that name is linked to another band that preceded the Surfaris)
The foregoing makes the case for bands to organize and focus on paying tribute to the bands that preceded them. Both the Ventures and Surfaris have a plethora of material for a tribute band to focus on for just one gig. How cool is that!! What other surf band[s] fall into that category?
I was unaware that DTBC was having surf tribute bands in their lineup, so, now that you pointed out that Don has opened the door for such, then that should pave the way for a myriad of surf genre bands from O/C to have a location to gig. In consideration that summer is quickly approaching, then what better time than now would be to organize your own tribute band and ask Don for a spot? Is Don's phone ringing yet?
May Birthdays 
