Church Key

"Church Key" is a classic instrumental single that was released by California surf group The Revels on Tony Hilder's Impact Records label in 1960. It was a hit for the group and later a hit for Dave Myers and his Surf-Tones.

For other uses, see Church key (disambiguation).
"Church Key"
Single by The Revels
B-side"Vesuvius"
ReleasedNovember 1960
GenreSurf
Length2:03
LabelImpact 1-IM / 1-IMX
Songwriter(s)Dan Darnold, Norman Knowles
The Revels singles chronology
"Church Key
(CT Release)"
(1959 / 1960 ?)		 "Church Key"
(1960)		 "Intoxica"
(1961)

Background

The song was written by Dan Darnold and Norman Knowles.[1][2]

A version of the song by The Biscaynes appears on the Surf's Up! At Banzai Pipeline compilation album.[3]

The Revels version

History

The involvement with Tony Hilder came about as a result of meeting him early in 1960. The group were playing for a March of Dimes benefit in San Luis Obispo at a Chevrolet dealership. Hilder had come into town to promote a couple of his artists, Billy Watkins and Charles Wright. He was looking for a band to back them while on tour. Knowles wanted Hilder to think about The Revels as the backing group. It didn't happen but Hilder still left his business card. The second time that the group came across Hilder was in the summer of 1960. The group had driven down to LA for what was to be their second recording session. They were at a small studio located on the corner of Santa Monica and Western.[4] The session wasn't too fruitful so Knowles decided to ring Hilder with his experience to come over to help them with the session. Soon Hilder arrived with Robert Hafner who was his partner and songwriter. Hilder's attention was drawn to Dan Darnold's playing around with the vibrato bar. Hafner helped with a melody centering around a hook with the vibrato. An arrangement was developed and later the title "Church Key" came about. Barbara Adkins, Hilder's girlfriend and future wife provided the giggles on the recording. Robert Hafner had some other tunes with him, one of which was "Vesuvius". The band learnt it in the studio and recorded it. Not having his own label to release the recording at the time, Hilder and Norman Knowles started their own co. as partners, splitting the costs as well as the profits.[5]

The A side which was credited to The Revels with Barbara Adkins. The B side to the single was "Vesuvius which was written by Robert J. Hafner [6] However, the 1959 release on CT 1-IM, 1-IMX credits Norman Knowles as the composer.[7] Knowles' involvement as well As Hafner's is confirmed in Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series.[8] This was the first release on Hilder's Impact Records label.[9] It was also previously released on the CT label which was another record label of Hilders.[10][11] According to Norman Knowles, the song was banned in some cities because of it being "derogatory of religion."[12] According to the liner notes in the CD release of Intoxica! The Best Of The Revels by John Blair (author of The Illustrated Discography of Surf Music, 1961-1965), Adkins who did the female giggling voice on the recording was Tony Hilder's girlfriend and future wife.[13]

Appearances

It appears on The Revels 1964 album Revels on a Rampage, Intoxica!!! The Best of the Revels in 1995 and various artist compilations Kahuna Classics: Surf Music, Surf Wax: Songs of the Beach and Instro Poker of Aces.[14] The single was picked up by Liberty Records for national distribution. The banner that it was released under was that of Impact. This was to retain the identity of Tony Hilder's label.[15]

The track

The track starts off with a guitar intro, following with the main theme of the number is handled by the guitar in a 12 bar blues progression. There is a party atmosphere in the track. The title of the track is spoken. There is the sound of a beer can being opened as well as a voice of giggling female.[16] The piano player on the track is said to be Langdon Winner.[17][18]

The group

"Church Key" and "Comanche" were the tracks The Revels were best known for.[19] "Church Key" was a hit for them in 1960.[20][21] The band's next single was "Intoxica" / "Tequila" which was released in 1961.[22]

Dave Myers and his Surf-Tones version
"Church Key"
Single by Dave Myers and His Surf-Tones
B-side"Passion"
Released1963
GenreSurf
Length2:18
LabelImpact 27 / 27-IM / 27-IMX
Songwriter(s)Dan Darnold, Norman Knowles
Dave Myers and His Surf-Tones singles chronology
"Church Key"
(1963)		 "Gear!"
(1964)

Dave Myers and The Surftones had their version released on Impact records as well. Their version which was backed with "Passion" was released on Impact 27 / 27-IM / 27-IMX. The B side composition was credited to Robert J. Hafner and Anthony Hilder.[23][24] They managed to have a local hit with it in L.A. in 1963.[25] The version of "Church Key" by Dave Myers & The Surftones is on the ultimate surf music playlist by SurferToday.com.[26]

Releases including other versions
List of singles
Act Title Catalogue Year Notes
The Revels "Church Key" / "Vesuvius" CT 1-IM, 1-IMX 1959 / 1960 ? [27][28]
The Revels with Barbara Adkins "Church Key" / "Vesuvius" Impact 1-IM / 1-IMX 1960
The Gonzos "Church Key" / "Very Muddy Waters" Donna 1330 1960 [29]
The Surfaris
* The Biscaynes		 "Moment Of Truth" / * "Church Key" Northridge 1001 1963 [30]
Jim Waller And The Deltas "Surfin' Wild" / "Church Key" Arvee A-5072 1963 [31][32]
Dave Myers and his Surf-Tones "Church Key" / "Passion" Impact 27-IMX 1963 [33]
Dave Cooper and the Continentals "Church Key" / "Continental Surf" Westco WC - 7 1964 [34]
Opposite Six "Church Key Pt. 68" / "Continental Surf" South Shore SS45-721 [35][36]
The Lone Surfer And His Super Pals "Church Key" / "Horror Beach" Planet Pimp Records – PP-003 1993 [37]
* The Trashmen
The Wailers		 * "Church Key" / "Wailin'" Sundazed / Norton LV-1 1999 [38]
List of EPs
Act Title Catalogue Year Notes
The Surf Raiders Surfin' "81": Live At The Ice House Moxie Records M-1039 1981 [39]
Appears on album
Act Title Catalogue Year Notes
Centurians Surfers' Pajama Party Del-Fi Records DFLP 1228 1963 [40]
The Impacts Wipe Out! Del-Fi Records DFLP 1234 1963 [41][42]
The Rivieras Let's Have a Party U.S.A. 102 1964 [43]
Various Artists Jet Set Dance Discothèque Vol. 3 Audio Fidelity DFS 7041 1964 "Church Key" by unknown artist[44]
Jon and the Nightriders Recorded Live At Hollywood's Famous Whisky A Go-Go Voxx Records VXS 200.005 1981 [45]
The Halibuts Halibut Beach What Records? W12-2407 1984 [46]
The Original Surfaris Bombora! Sundazed Music SC 6063 1995 [47]
The Surf Teens Surf Mania Bacchus Archives BA 1127 1998 [48]
The Phantom Surfers The Exciting Sounds Of Model Road Racing Hobby Hut Records – HH-124, Lookout! Records LK183 1998 [49]
Al Garcia and the Rhythm Kings Exotic And Rockin' Instrumentals, 1963-1964 Bacchus Archives BA1135 1999 [50]
Detroit Bros. Murdered by the Surf Music PPDET-0004 2000 [51][52]
Naked City Live In Quebec '88 Air Cuts AC2CD8042 2017 [53]

Note: "Church Key" by The Fabulous Pharaohs released in 1966 is a different track all together and was credited to Fisher-Stevenson.[54]

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References
  1. Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series, July - December, 1960 - Page 1044
  2. Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series, July - December, 1964 - Page 1331
  3. Artistdirect - Surf's up at Banzai Pipeline, Surf's up at Banzai Pipeline Track Listing
  4. Intoxica!, The Best Of The Revels - Sundazed Music SC 11020 CD booklet, Page 7 It's Party Time, Norman Knowles and The Revels
  5. Intoxica!, The Best Of The Revels - Sundazed Music SC 11020 CD booklet, Page 8 It's Party Time, Norman Knowles and The Revels
  6. 45Cat - The Revels California - Church Key / Vesuvius - Impact California - USA - 1
  7. Discogs - The Revels – Vesuvius / Church Key, Label: CT (3) – 1-IM, 1-IMX
  8. Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series - Page 1330
  9. Billboard, May 9, 1964 Page 22, Programming Specials
  10. Popsike - Rare Surf 45 The Revels ' Church Key ' on CT from 1960
  11. AllMusic - Tony Hilder
  12. The Los Angeles Times, January 06, 1989 - Reunion Discussed : Former Surf Musicians See a New Wave of Popularity - Gerald Faris
  13. Intoxica! The Best Of The Revels, Sundazed Music SC 11020, 1994 - Page 8 - John Blair author of The Illustrated Discography of Surf Music, 1961-1965
  14. Allmusic - The Revels Church Key
  15. Billboard, November 28, 1960 - Page 26 Music As Written, Page 28 Music As Written
  16. Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius, By Philip Lambert Chapter 4 Surfin' U.S.A. Page 61
  17. New West, Volume 6, Issues 5-9 - -
  18. The New Rolling Stone Record Guide - Page 579
  19. Way Back Attack - THE REVELS Midnight Stroll
  20. Surfin' guitars: instrumental surf bands of the sixties, Robert J. Dalley - Page 259
  21. Real Life Rock: The Complete Top Ten Columns, 1986-2014, By Greil Marcus - Page 403 9 = The Exiles, directed by Kent McKenzie (Milestone) and Revels, Intoxica! (Sundazed)
  22. Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records by Tim Neely - Page 567 Revels, The (2)
  23. Surf & Hot Rod Music of the 60's: Collectors Quick Reference, By R. Duane Cozzen - Page 48 DAVE MYERS & THE SURFTONES, Singles (45's)
  24. 45Cat - Dave Myers And The Surftones - Discography, USA
  25. Pop Surf Culture: Music, Design, Film, and Fashion from the Bohemian Surf Boom, By Brian Chidester, Domenic Priore - -
  26. SurferToday.com The best surf songs of all time
  27. Discogs - CT (3)
  28. Popsike - Rare Surf 45 The Revels ' Church Key ' on CT from 1960
  29. 45Cat - The Gonzos - Discography
  30. 45Cat - The Surfaris (Original) - Moment Of Truth / Church Key - Northridge - USA - 1001
  31. 45Cat - Jim Waller And The Deltas - Surfin' Wild / Church Key - Arvee - USA - A-5072
  32. Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius By Philip Lambert Chapter 4 Surfin' U.S.A. Page 61
  33. 45Cat - Dave Myers And His Surf-Tones - Church Key / Passion - Impact (California)- USA - 27
  34. Popsike - Z3 WESTCO WC-7 DAVID COOPER & THE CONTINENTALS CHURCH KEY SURF
  35. 45Cat - Opposite Six Discography
  36. MusicMaster: The 45 RPM Record Directory : 1947 to 1982, Paul C. Mawhinney, ISBN 0910925011, 9780910925013 - Page 128
  37. Discogs - The Lone Surfer And His Super Pals – Church Key
  38. 45Cat - The Trashmen - Discography
  39. 45Cat - The Surf Raiders – Surfin' "81" (Live At The Ice House)
  40. Both Sides Now Publications - Del-Fi Album Discography, by David Edwards and Mike Callahan
  41. Discogs - The Impacts – Wipe Out!
  42. Allmusic - Impacts Wipe Out!, Overeview
  43. 45 Worlds - Artist: The Rivieras, Catalogue: 102
  44. Discogs - Various – Jet Set Dance Discothèque Vol. 3
  45. Discogs - Jon & The Nightriders – Recorded Live At Hollywood's Famous Whisky A Go-Go
  46. Discogs - The Halibuts – Halibut Beach
  47. Discogs - The Original Surfaris – Bombora!
  48. Discogs - The Surf Teens – Surf Mania
  49. Discogs - The Phantom Surfers – The Exciting Sounds Of Model Road Racing
  50. Discogs - Al Garcia And The Rhythm Kings* – Exotic And Rockin' Instrumentals, 1963-1964
  51. Detroit Bros website Goods
  52. Detroit Bros website Disc
  53. Discogs - Naked City – Live In Quebec '88
  54. Discogs - Fabulous Pharoahs, The – Church Key / Route 66
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