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Surf Rocker Richard Delvy Dead at 67

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.

The Bel-Airs' 'Mr. Moto'

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DAN

AND DON'T FORGET HIS SECOND WIFE, BONNIE. SHE WAS THE ANGEL WHO FINALLY HELPED HIM HOME.

April 15 2010 at 3:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brad Jennings

I knew Richard and he was an amazing talent. He worked with and spoke highly of everyone, people like his good friend Paul Johnson of the Belairs, Rick Griffin of his high school days, Greg Noll who shaped him his first surfboard in Greg's garage and his lifelong pal Randy Nauert.
The people he produced or was affiliated with was a who's who of our childhood. David Cassidy, Tony Orlando, the Surfaris, Crosby Stills, Fat Albert, The Bel-airs and at least 50 solo artists.
Ive seen the lps he produced and was boxes and boxes.

I've read just about every blog and report given about this fine man and can tell you.. none have done him justice.

The man was an Island!

He had done more in 67 years than most of us would do in 3 lifetimes. The reason I say this is because...
I've seen his scrapbooks, They were packed full of newspaper articles places he's been to and venues he's played. I've seen his gold records, I've heard his stories and after I would say,
"Man this stuff is amazing"
I would then listened to him play down his accomplishments.

He was very humble.

An awesome business man, A great Father and a loving husband to his beautiful wife Bonnie.
Richard was like a cool older brother to me and a made friends with everyone he met. My 20 year association with him were some of the best experiences of my life.
I will always be grateful to him and Bonnie for that.

The Hawaiians say it best,
"Aloha Nui Loa"

Your friend,
Brad.

February 13 2010 at 7:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bernie520

Richard Delvy wasn't exactly a household name, but he was one of the "unsung" heroes of early rock and roll who will be missed. Who are today's Richard Delvy's?? We need some new young musicians who can actually play instruments and young voices who can sing a song that has more than one note in it. And we need singers who can do more than just go "pfft-pfft" into a microphone and try to make us think that's music.

The next generation needs a better example than "pfft-pfft" Don't you think??

Thanks for reading this.

Bernie520
Seattle, WA

February 12 2010 at 11:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Bernie520's comment
Bernie520

I want to amend the last senctence of my previous post.

We need singers who can do more than just go "pfft-pfft" into a microphone and expect to believe that that's music.

Thank you for letting me sound off.

Rest well, Richard...and thank you again.

Bernie520
Seattle, WA



February 12 2010 at 11:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bernie520

Let me try one more time :-)

We need singers who can do more than just go "pfft-pfft" into a microphone and expect *us* to believe that that's actually music.

I think I finally got it right that time. Only took three tries.

Let me know what you think, friends.

Bernie520
Seattle, WA

February 12 2010 at 11:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SDelvy

Thank you all for your kind comments. He would appreciate it. He was a great grandpa (and way cool too!).
He is missed very, very extremely much.

-Skyler Delvy
(His granddaughter)

February 12 2010 at 11:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to SDelvy's comment
Bernie520

Skyler,

Please accept my sincerest condolences on your loss.

My '60's summers were spent at the age called these days "'tween" and were almost nothing but "Surf Sounds" from "Wipeout" to "Pipeline" to "Telstar" to all the other great summer sounds of the whole decade.

We all owe your grand-dad a debt of gratitude that I don't think we will ever be able to re-pay.

Please accept this one little guy's thanks in the name of your grand-dad. There is no one of anywhere near his equal anywhere on the foreseeable musical horizon.

And that is the greatest loss for all of us to bear.

Rest Well, Richard...and thank you again.

Always,

Bernie520
Seattle, WA
206-542-2069

Feel free to call, Skyler
It would be an honor to say hello

Bernie

February 12 2010 at 11:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ted Schuster

Hi Skyler... Please accept my condolences.... I first met your grandfather in 1956. Richard & I became very close friends. After school I would go over to his house and wait for him to finish practice on the drums (mostly to the beat of Henry Mancini's "Peter Gunn"). OMG, those were great times. Listen to "Peter Gunn" some time. He loved it because it was great for a drummer and he played it so much, doing different things to sometimes. Your great grandparents (Syl & Peg) and his sister (Prinnie) were my second family.
We didn't lose touch. About a year and a half ago my wife & I spent some time with Richard & Bonnie. I am so glad now that I was able to see him. He certainly was a humble person when it came time to talk about his successes, as someone commented here. I will miss him very much. Even though there were about 3,000 miles separating us, we kept each other in our thoughts. I sure hope that we can meet some time.

March 10 2010 at 4:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
V. Bruce Urie

Goodbye to an original. Thanks for all the great surf music and for doing such a great job. From one musician to another. Rest in peace, Richard. You did so well here on earth.

February 12 2010 at 9:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jerry LaFavor

I had my first surf music West Coast hit record out in 1961. We were the Expresso's and the drum instrumental record I wrote was Teenage Express. I think we debuted this song on the Wink Martindale TV show at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium. You will find this song at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_33a6uXzPY. We did a lot of tours and TV shows and had the chance to play on the same stage several times with the Belairs. Mr. Moto was a song every guitar player played. It was essential to your show in those days. Jerry LaFavor, Drummer (And yes, I still play today.)

February 12 2010 at 8:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Spike

I grew up in Souther California in the 60's...Dad was a DJ at a few stations from San Diego, LA to Lompoc...I heard Surf Music 24-7, man, what an influence! My first board was a "Tanker" hand made for a relative, who gave it to me when he went to Viet Nam...he didn'y want it when he got back four years later. Great memories and such a unique American "California Beach" childhood...Richard and all the others were real inspirations...God Bless!

February 12 2010 at 8:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steve

Aw,,,Dang!!

February 12 2010 at 7:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
souldust

I love music. I am sorry to hear about the lost of music pioneers. I this just one of the many sounds I grew up with. Rock, Surf, Soul, R&B, all a part of me. Rest in peace Mr.Delvy and thanks!

February 12 2010 at 7:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mike

Dontcha just love that sound. As American as apple pie.

February 12 2010 at 7:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply