50-60s Surf Music in the Mod Era

50-60s Surf Music in the Mod Era

            

        The 50s-60s Mod movement involved several elements other than just music. The movement also had influences on fashion by incorporating tailor made suits as well as helping to bring motor scooters to the frontline of popularity. Music was of course the largest element though and was what really set the tone for the Mod era. The music of the mod era “included Jamaican ska, African American soul, British beat music and some R&B.” Originating in London, England in the 50s the Mod movement influenced people across the globe with a wide variety of followers. The main association that people typically make with mod music is the drugs and dancing/clubs because that was the “scene”. Amphetamines were used to fuel the all night dancing and partying that was done at these clubs. Another element that was influenced by the mod movement that was a bit less recognized was the surfing community. Overall, the surfing community adopted music of the Mod era because it was upbeat and energetic music which well suited them because of their upbeat and energetic lifestyles. Drugs were another common factor between the surfing community and the Mod movement for the same reason that people used them at the clubs: fueling the ongoing party. However, marijuana was the more prevalent drug in the surfing community as opposed to amphetamines. A few of the more popular Mod surf musicians include “Dick Dale, The Shadows, Link Wray, and the Ventures.”

Blair, J. (1978). The illustrated discography of surf music, 1959-1965. Riverside, Calif.: J. Bee Productions.

Crowley, K. (2011). Surf beat: rock 'n' roll's forgotten revolution. New York: Backbeat Books.