I saw a band at a carnival in 1962 with white Showman amps and reverbs, and matching seafoam Fender guitars. 46 years later I saw the Torquay's , whose albums I had owned, in the Ed "Big Daddy" Roth documentary "Tales of the Rat Fink" playing at a Rod and Custom show. I now think this is the inspirational band I saw. In the movie, Torquay's played white Jazzmasters. Does anyone have recollection, or clips, of original Torquays playing seafoam Fenders in the early 60's? I would like to know who the band was that blew me away in 1962. Any other guesses?
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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Music General Discussion »
Torquay's with seafoam Fenders, 1962?
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Joined: Apr 08, 2008 Posts: 10 |
Posted on Apr 25 2008 03:26 PM
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Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19304 Des Moines, Iowa, USA 
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Posted on Apr 25 2008 03:44 PM
Where did you see them? —Site dude - S3 Agent #202 "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea |
Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 813 Boise, ID 
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Posted on Apr 25 2008 03:53 PM
I'll look through my stuff cuz I seem to recall a comp of obscure first wave bands with a band called the Torquays. I have a feeling there were likely more than one band at that time using the same name. —Shawn Martin |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 25597 Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Apr 25 2008 07:53 PM
there was a Torquays from San Jose(nor cal) the Torquays from the 90's and currently from OC are not those bands. Jeff(bigtikidude) —Jeff(bigtikidude) |
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Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19304 Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Apr 25 2008 09:38 PM
But Jeff, I believe one of the original Torquays reformed the band with Steve Soest and others. He then stepped out but let the band carry on with the name. Duff? Are you there? —Site dude - S3 Agent #202 "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 2294 Stockholm, Sweden 
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Posted on Apr 26 2008 01:20 PM
There's a 1st wave Torquays on the Surf Guitars Rumble vol. 2 CD. Two great songs taken from the same single (Gypsy 265): "Busting Point" and "The Other Side". — |
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Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 25597 Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Apr 26 2008 02:29 PM
Brian, from what I heard the Torquays from So. Cal. never recorded or played live it was just some kids in a garage, messing around. I could be totally wrong, but thats what I recall hearing. Jeff(bigtikidude) —Jeff(bigtikidude) |
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Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19304 Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Apr 26 2008 03:28 PM
Jeff, cool. I believe I read that in that tab book that they did. Or maybe the liner notes to a CD. I'll try to dig up that book and see what it says. —Site dude - S3 Agent #202 "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea |
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Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 75 |
Posted on Apr 26 2008 08:13 PM
I heard the same story. The rythem guitar player you see on the "Date With The Torquey's" CD cover is one of the originals but I heard from the midwest somewhere. I also heard that the red and white 57 Ford Fairlane on the cover belongs to him to. Is that too much reverb? |
Joined: Apr 01, 2007 Posts: 347 Sea Country, CA, USA
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Posted on Apr 27 2008 08:37 AM
For those of you that want to do some reading, here are the gory details
Jerry Gordon and his childhood friend, Dick formed the band when they were in junior high school in Shawnee Mission, Kansas sometime in 1964. Both families then moved to southern California within 6 months of each other when the two were starting high school and were still close with both families settling in Orange County. They keep the band idea alive but, never really played out much or did any recording until the very early 90s when Jerry and Dick had Steve Soest and Bob Mytkowicz join them for a few shows. Personality differences proved too much for the group and it was disbanded. In 1994, after Jerry had sent a demo tape to a local venue called the Coach House, he was invited to open for Spirit and Arthur Lee and Love. Well, he needed a band so, he placed an ad in the local paper and Don Parra, Fred Foscalina and I answered it. We played the gig and had a blast. 9 months or so later, Fred left and Steve Soest rejoined the band. This was the line-up for a few years. We recorded our first CD, a date with
in 1998. About 2 years later, Jerry decided it was too much to handle and decided to retire from the band. Thats when we found Armin Brown. Armin came on board and immediately bought a matching guitar, a blonde Jazzmaster. He already had the matching amp. We have recorded in the studio and live numerous times and produced: An early years demo tape for auditions A rare cassette with some originals and covers A total of 6 CDs which includes
. 1- A Date with
The Torquays - Released 1998 11 covers, 6 originals 2- Road Trip Released 2000 12 originals, 6 covers 3- Live from Castaway Island with George Tomsco 2001 unreleased 4- Somewhere in California Released 2002 all 19 originals 5- An unplugged set of well known surf tunes 2003 unreleased 6- Return Engagement - No Cover - Released 2003 (18 originals from A date with
and Somewhere in
) We appeared in the movie, Tales of the Rat Fink, while performing at a Rat Fink Reunion at MoonEyes in Southern California
sadly, about 6 months before Ed Roth passed away. The 57 Ford Fairlane hardtop you mentioned did belong to Jerry Gordon. He restored it to perfection. He also had a rare retractable hardtop that he sold before restoring. Jerry also has the cleanest Dual Showman you have ever seen
. In total, I believe there 5 or 6 bands with the name, The Torquays, in the 1960s. Jerry finally had it trademarked years ago. Surfboy, I'm guessing it was a different set of Torquays that you saw in 1962.
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Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 25597 Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Apr 27 2008 10:36 AM
wow!! thanks for the History Lesson, ok now who do I have to kill to get those unreleased cds? have a good gig today, I wish I could see you and the pier show. Jeff(bigtikidude) —Jeff(bigtikidude) |
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Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19304 Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Apr 27 2008 11:56 AM
Cool Duff! Thanks. How are you doing these days? —Site dude - S3 Agent #202 "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea |
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Joined: Apr 01, 2007 Posts: 347 Sea Country, CA, USA
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Posted on Apr 27 2008 08:54 PM
Doing better every day Brian, thanks for asking! I just got back from playing with the Torquays at the "Doll Hut". The event was a memorial benefit for a local musician that passed away recently. It was my first gig since the surgery and was a little different to say the least, having hearing in just one ear. I wear an ear plug to protect my good ear. I was fitted for a custom adjustable silicone ear plug last week. It should be ready in another week or so. I highly reccomend these for every serious musician or fan of loud music that wants to hear these sounds when they get older! You can get a set of changable filters that limit different amounts of sound to your ears. These work a lot better than the foam type that take away from the quality of sound while limiting the volume. Also, while at the gig today, I was talking with Steve Soest (one of our guitar players) and he told me that someone of authority said that there were at one time in the 60's...a total of 16 different bands across the USA that called themselves...The Torquays. We have George Tomsco and the Fireballs to thank for all of this. Their Tune name spawned many a band name.....! According to George, the tune title was coined by a record company executive when the Fireballs were shopping the tune to different labels. Originally the tune they wrote was to be called "Curious" but, the exec had just returned from the vacation spot of Torquay, in the southern part of England and he said the tune reminded him of that place. I am glad...not too sure if I would fit into a band called "Curious".... —
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Joined: Jun 21, 2007 Posts: 3909 San Diego, CA
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Posted on Apr 27 2008 09:53 PM
Hey Duff! Good to hear the the show went well. .. Thanks! —Ryan |
Joined: Apr 20, 2006 Posts: 2054
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Posted on Apr 27 2008 11:17 PM
Glad to hear you're doing better Duff. Take care man....dario — |
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Joined: Apr 01, 2007 Posts: 347 Sea Country, CA, USA
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Posted on Apr 28 2008 08:20 AM
You'll need to see your doctor and/or find a hearing professional to be fitted for these. But, some information about the them is at... Good luck! —
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Do you happen to have a link to the ear plugs you mentioned?Please visit our friends in the surf music community:
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