The Chantays Biography

The Chantays were a surf rock band from the early 1960s, best known for only one hit, the instrumental "Pipeline" (1963, see 1963 in music). Despite several attempts, The Chantays never again hit the charts and soon broke up.

They released only two albums, which were Pipeline (1963) and Two Sides of The Chantays (1964). Their music combined electronic keyboards and surf guitar, making a unique ghostly sound. They released a new CD set in 1994, giving them more attention than before. On November 4, 1997, the album Waiting For The Tide was released worldwide.

They were keen on instrumentals, but a good number of their songs had lyrics. With the possible exception of the track "Pipeline", the music is hard to find.

"Pipeline" has become a standard surf rock hit. It was originally written by Brian Carman and Bob Spickard and published as sheet music in 1962 by Downey Music Publishing. It has since been covered by The Ventures, Hank Marvin, Dick Dale with the help of Stevie Ray Vaughan, by thrash metal band Anthrax, and also by Johnny Thunders.

The Chantays and "Pipeline" are also included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1996, The Chantays were inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk.

(according to Rock-N-Roll Road Show): "Southern California will soon bestow another honor on the band, renaming a street after them. Chantays Boulevard will be located right next to where it all started, Santa Ana High School."