Search - Merrell Frankhauser :: Move to Higher Ground

Merrell Fankhauser, one of the innovators of surf music and psychedelic folk rock, has led one of the most diverse and interesting careers in music. Now, after 40 years, he has reconnected with Fapardokly drummer Dick Lee and guitarist Bill Dodd to bring that great '60s sound back to life-- and to capture it on this disc! Fankhauser's travels have been documented in numerous music books and magazines in the US and Europe. He has gained legendary international status throughout the field of rock music, and his credits include over 250 published and released songs. He is a multi-talented singer/songwriter and a unique guitar player whose sound has delighted listeners for over 35 years. In the early '60s, Merrell Fankhauser led the instrumental surf group The Impacts, who had a hit with their album Wipe Out. He then moved to the high desert of California to form Merrell & The Exiles, whose album Fapardokly is one of the most sought-after '60s psychedelic recordings. Eventually, he joined forces with Jeff Cotton from Captain Beefheart's band to form the group MU. In 1971 their first album was released in the US on Era/RTV Records and became a FM radio hit. It was later released on United Artists Records in 1974. After MU disbanded, Fankhauser recorded with Gary Malabar, the drummer from Steve Miller's band; studio guitarists Ben Benay and Art Munson; and bassist Colin Cameron. In 1990, he began hosting a national television show, California Music, which was shown nationally via satellite on over 100 stations. The show incorporated interviews, performances, and videos featuring many stars popular from the '60s to the '90s, and ran for three years. In 1994, with the release of the film Pulp Fiction, instrumental surf music came back in a big way. Del Fi Records re-issued all of The Impacts' material on CD. During the same period of time, Fankhauser started a weekly radio show called Surf Beat at a small FM radio station in Grover Beach, CA. This led to regular shows on larger stations in San Luis Obispo County, which evolved into Surf Music News radio segments. These segments can currently be heard on select stations nationally. "One of the most interesting cult figures in rock history." -- All Music Guide