Post #363785 by The Gnomon on Wed, Feb 27, 2008 10:54 AM

On 2008-02-27 09:57, bigtikidude wrote:
well, everybody knows that the Beatles and the Brittish Invasion killed surf music in the early 60's

This was largely due, I believe, to the fact that Brian Wilson felt threatened by the Beatles and was convinced that their success would be his downfall. IMO, his fears were unfounded, but because he was convinced, his whole world was adversely affected by it and his music began to suffer.

The Beatles actually liked surf music and did a little tribute to the Beach Boys with Back in the USSR on the "White Album." In the 60's the Beach Boys set the tone (so to speak) for all surf music. Certainly Jan and Dean were pioneers and nothing takes you down the face of a wave like Dick Dale (unless it's the Chantays or the Ventures) or wipes you out like the Surfaris, but the BBs somehow harmonized their way to the top spot. When they began to self-destruct, no other acts stepped up to save the day.

The Beatles OTOH just kept reaching new heights, further supporting Brain Wilson's self-fulfilling prophecy. When the Beatles "landed" I loved their stuff, but I actually loved surf music and the BBs more. Brian Wilson appreciated the creativity and artistry of the Beatles to a point where I don't believe he realized that people would embrace both without either losing any ground. Certainly, the fact that his creative demise was caused by his desperate need to counteract the force that was the Beatles. I saw him on a television documentary a while back explain just that in elaborate detail.

In a way you could blame the Beatles for the disappearance of surf music, but I would have to attribute it just as much or moreso to Brian Wilson. He felt that the sky was falling and hung up his spurs.

Wait! No! You're right. The Beatles did kill surf music. Those bastards!