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Surfing and surf music. They just seem to go together like wax on a surfboard. But it hasn't always been the case. Centuries before being introduced to America, surfing was a part of many cultures, especially in Hawaii where it was the "Sport of Kings."

It wasn't until 1907 that George Freeth, who was taught to surf in Hawaii by the legendary Duke Kahanamoku (remember Hawaii was not part of the United States back then,) introduced surfing to California in the South Bay (Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo Beaches and surrounding areas.) Freeth didn't exactly start a craze. But for decades after that the population of surfers did grow slowly, with the surfers riding unwieldy boards that were mostly made of heavy and cumbersome redwoods and other hardwoods.

Then in the 50's, the first modern surfboards using light, shapeable foam were developed and once again it was all happening in the South Bay. Many of the biggest names in surfboard manufacturing and design lived and surfed in the South Bay, including Dewey Weber, Bing Copeland, Rick Stoner and Velsy and Jacobs. Greg Noll, known as "The Bull" and one of the first big wave riders, first hit the water in Manhattan Beach. Bill and Bob Meistrell in Redondo Beach developed the first commercially viable wetsuit. It is now sold under the world-renowned brand Body Glove.

Suddenly, with the protection and warmth of the wetsuit, surfing was a year round event. The true roots of surfing-the first surfer, modern surfboard design and shaping, the early American surfing pioneers, and the surfer's true friend, the wetsuit that fits like a glove--are all in the South Bay.

No wonder then that when surf music exploded on the scene about 1961, it originated in the South Bay. At the same time surfing was becoming a huge American phenomenon, and it was only natural for music to play a role. Almost instantly, the music took on a life of its own. The first true surf band was the South Bay's Belaires-their hit was "Mr. Moto." Then Dick Dale from a little further south in Orange County burst on the scene in the summer of 1961. Dick Dale and other primarily instrumental surf bands musically recreated the feeling of surfing itself, and set the stage for vocal bands to put the Southern California surfing experience to words and lyrics. Musical history was made with the Beach Boys (from the South Bay town of Hawthorne) and Jan & Dean.

Like all waves, surf music peaked. It was the summer of 1963, and everyone in America wanted to be "goin' surfin', surfin' USA" where in "Surf City" there were "two girls for every boy." But after that glorious summer, the British invaded and music changed. But while the music changed, ironically the rest of the surf culture continued to grow and expand.

In 2007, the 100 year anniversary of George Freeth bringing surfing to the continental United States, there are more surfers and surf companies than ever before in history, and what was once a grass roots cottage industry is now a multi-billion dollar market that has spread worldwide. Surfing has led the way to two other massive industries and cultural lifestyles--skateboarding (or sidewalk surfing as it was originally known) and snowboarding (surfing on snow.)

This CD is dedicated to the first one hundred years of surfing in the United States. It's all about surfing's greatest hits, including songs recorded by all of the pivotal surf groups including the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, the Ventures, the Bel Airs, the Marketts, Dick Dale & the Deltones, the Chantays, the Pyramids, and the Surfaris.

But it is not only about those wonderful hits from the peak years of surf music. Proving that surf music is alive and thriving, this extraordinary collection presents for the first time two songs destined to become surf classics. "Surf City Ain't No City (It's the Whole South Bay" tells the true history of surfing in the USA-100 years ago it all started not in one city, but the entire South Bay. A hot new group, the Brakkers, sings this one. The other new song is "Beach Trash." It's recorded by the awesome South Bay group Thin Ice. It tells the story of the changing demographics in their hometown of Manhattan Beach, but just as well could be written about any beach town in America.

Jim Miller and Russ Lesser

Produced by: Joe Saraceno & Sid Sharp
Research & Development: Jim Miller & Russ Lesser
Executive Producers: Tristen Del & Rick Frio
Music Directors: Chris Many & Richard Delvy
Mastering: Bob Lanzner - Technovoice
Art Director: Christine Braun