Surf-rock drummer turned publisher Richard Delvy -- who played in one of the genre's first bands, the Bel-Airs -- has died. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Delvy, 67, passed away Saturday, Feb. 6, at a California hospital after a prolonged sickness.

Delvy first got his start as a drummer and producer but his business acumen was equally impressive during his music career. Originally from Bridgeport, Conn., he moved to California at 20 years old and began playing with the Bel-Airs. That group had a regional 1962 hit with 'Mr. Moto' -- later covered by the Ventures and Dick Dale and His Del-Tones -- but Delvy soon moved on, forming the Challengers the following year and producing that outfit's 1963 debut LP 'Surfbeat.'

Delvy's reportedly secured the copyright to the Surfari's 'Wipe Out' by accident. The song charted twice, in 1963 and in 1966. It was again a hit when the Fat Boys and the Beach Boys covered the tune in 1987. "At times, it's kept me eating," he once said of the song. "I wish I had 10 of 'em." During his career, Delvy had acquired dozens of copyrights for his publishing company, Miraleste Music.

In the late '60s, he kept busy producing albums by the likes of the Chambers Brothers and composed the theme to the film 'The Green Slime.' He also contributed music to cartoons of the '60s and '70s like 'The Archies,' 'Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids' and 'The Groovy Ghoulies,' helped direct and arrange tours for David Cassidy and Tony Orlando and Dawn and maintained executive posts at MGM Music, Carousel Records and Bell Records.

Delvy is survived by his wife, Bonnie, a son, two stepchildren and a granddaughter.