The official first day of summer is right around the corner which means everyone’s favorite time of year is about to be in full swing. To kick off summer the right way, Casa Escobar will be throwing the Malibu Kickoff Concert featuring three awesome bands; The Ventures, Malibooz, and the Surfaris! Each of these bands plays music that embodies the spirit of summer, making this the perfect event to get your sunny season started the right way. The event is taking place on Saturday, June 17th at 7:30pm and all ages are welcome!
Below you can read a little bit about each of these bands that will be kicking off summer in Malibu.
The Ventures
The Ventures were formed in Tacoma, Washington in 1958. The legacy kicked off with the opening drum roll of 1960’s Walk Don’t Run, a #2 hit that would go on to sell more than 2 million copies. From the garage, to the beach, to the stars, the Ventures defined an entire decade of instrumental rock music.
A cultural and musical phenomenon in a class all their own within the instrumental world, The Ventures charted 37 records in 12 years, releasing a staggering number of now classic tunes including: “Walk Don’t Run”, “Perfidia”, “Lullaby of the Leaves”, “Bulldog”, “Driving Guitars”, “Surf Rider”, “Apache”, “Tequila”, “Pipeline”, “Wipe Out”, “Out of Limits”, “Journey to the Stars”, “Diamond Head”, “Walk Don’t Run ’64”, “Slaughter on 10th Ave.”, and the incomparable “Hawaii Five-O.”
The Ventures have sold over a 100 million records, and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
Known the world over for their blistering live show, including their legendary show-stopping rendition of Caravan, the current line-up continues to deliver dynamic and powerful performances.
Leon Taylor (drums): Leon is the son of legendary drummer Mel Taylor. He stepped into his father’s position and has been supplying a solid backbeat for over 20 years.
Bob Spalding (guitar): a studio heavyweight and live show regular with the band for over 35 years, Bob has more than earned the title of “The Fifth Venture.”
Ian Spalding (guitar/bass): Ian has worked in the studio and on the stage with the band for over 10 years. He’s been playing Ventures songs since before he could ride a bicycle.
Lucas Griffin (bass/guitar): The newest member of The Ventures family, Lucas brings a wealth of talent and agility to the stage.
Catch The Ventures on their "Three Days of Waves" Tour with The Surfaris ("Wipeout") this Saturday in Malibu on Saturday, June 17. The two legendary surf-rock bands will be playing all of the hits you've come to love, and will be kicking off the Summer in style. Surfs up!
The Surfaris (From band member, Bob Berryhill)
The Surfaris are an instrumental surf band that my three bandmates, Jim Fuller, Pat Connolly, Ron Wilson and I started back in the fall of 1962. We are best known for writing and performing the 1963 hit song "Wipe Out."
Wipe Out has sold millions of records and song downloads worldwide. According to BMI Inc. the song has been played on the radio over 5 million times.
Wipe Out has a life of its own with placement in numerous blockbuster movies including The Sandlot starring River Phoenix, Meet The Parents with Robert Dinero, Disney's Surf's Up and Dirty Dancing starring Patrick Swayze. The song has also been licensed for numerous television commercials including Delta Faucets and Stridex. Wipe Out is currently featured on Broadway in a new musical called "Trip Of Love." Recently, team Yolo scored 39 out 40 points on ABC's Dancing With The Stars with their dance routine choreographed to Wipe Out. The Dirty Dancing stage musical continues to rock audiences around the world with the "Wipe Out" dance segment.
One of my favorite accomplishments is the Wipe Out recognition as one of the most popular and influential instrumental songs of all time by Billboard Magazine and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This year, my 1962 Fender Reverb Unit was featured in the Musicians Hall of Fame museum, in Nashville, TN. I still enjoy leading the current band and performing as The Surfaris today.
Malibubooz
John Zambetti and Walter Egan are celebrating over fifty years of making music together as The Malibooz. Formed in the “surf mecca” of New York City, The Malibooz proved to be a major attraction on the Eastern seaboard from 1964-66. They released an EP in 1964 and the single “Goin’ To Malibu” in 1965. This led to appearances at The New York State World's Fair. First, at the New York State Pavilion and then as part of the first color TV broadcast live from the RCA Pavilion.
In college they continued on as Sageworth and then played on each other’s solo efforts.
The Walter Egan Band was signed to Columbia for five albums and then to MCA. Walter’s first two albums, “Fundamental Roll” and “Not Shy” were produced by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. “Not Shy” produced the million selling hit "Magnet & Steel" which was the American Music Awards nominee for Song of the Year in 1978. In 1998 "Magnet & Steel" appeared in the Golden Globe and Academy Award winning movie, "Boogie Nights".
John also pursued his solo work with The Johnny Z Band which was selected as one of the Top 10 L.A. Bands of 1980 by Music Connection Magazine. Well known to the L.A. club circuit, The Johnny Z Band shared the bill with many other up and coming L.A. groups like The Police and The Motels.
In 1981 Rhino Records signed The Malibooz for a reunion album "Malibooz Rule!". This yielded the single “Hot Summer Nights" which appeared in the movie "California Girls". The video for “Hot Summer Nights” was filmed around Zambetti’s guitar-shaped pool and was one of the first videos aired on MTV.
Since then the band has recorded 5 more albums and had over 30 songs in TV and Film, including a featuring performance in the Bruce Brown produced surf classic “STEP INTO LIQUID” . They currently sell CDs in over 25 countries.
2010 heralded the release of “Queens’ English” The Malibooz’ first CD of new music in 8 years. The current Malibooz’ lineup is John Zambetti, Walter Egan, Scott Monahan, David Chamberlain and Michael Mason. This time out the boys pay tribute to the ‘60’s British Invasion with 14 new tunes in that genre featuring a dozen original British Invasion Icon guest artists including; Spencer Davis, The Hollies’ Tony Hicks, Chad & Jeremy, Rolling Stones’ producer Andrew Loog Oldham and The Quarrymen.
The Malibooz’ “Queens’ English” album hit #1 on the CDBaby British Invasion chart!
