Penetration (instrumental)

Penetration was an instrumental hit for surf band The Pyramids in 1964.

"Penetration"
Song by The Pyramids
from the album The Pyramids Play The Original Penetration!
B-side"Here Comes Marsha"
LabelBest Records 13002
Songwriter(s)S. Leonard
Producer(s)John Hodge

Background

The song has been described as a pivotal surf-instro anthem.[1] In Duane Cozzen's book, Surf & Hot Rod Music of the 60's: Collectors Quick Reference, it says that "Penetration" is believed to be the last major surf instrumental song.[2]

On the day of the recording session, Will Glover was in the studio and he wasn't "feeling it" so he decided to go across the road to have a bite to eat and a soft drink. Coming back he bumped into two members of The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson and Mike Love. The Beach Boys had recorded in the same studio. He got talking to them and then remembered his group's recording session. By the time he got back to the studio, Skip Mercier had recorded his guitar part. However Glover did sing on the other song contained on the 45.[3] "Here Comes Marsha" which was written by Glover was meant to be the A side but a DJ in Riverside played the flip side "Penetration" and caused it to be a hit.[4]

The Way Back Attack website has "Penetration" at #18 in the TOP 100 SURF SONGS 1959-1969 list.[5]

Chart history

Spending a total of ten weeks in the charts, it peaked at #18 on the week of April 4, 1964.[6]

The B side of the record, "Here Comes Marsha" was a regional hit in Texas thanks to deejays playing that side.[7]

References
  1. Billboard, August 10, 1995 - Page 87 REVERSE TAKEOFF: SURF'N'ROD MUSIC REVIVAL INTENSIFIES
  2. Surf & Hot Rod Music of the 60's: Collectors Quick Reference, Duane Cozzen - Page 100 THE PYRAMIDS
  3. Los Angeles Times, March 31, 1995 - Pyramid Power : Pop music: Anaheim resident Will Glover, whose band
    had a hit with ‘Penetration,’ has tales to tell of surf music’s heyday,
    though now his heart’s in country. By JIM WASHBURN
  4. Long Beach Post, January 29, 2016 The Pyramids, Stompin' with The Pyramids, Long Beach's Legendary Surf Band: Guitarist Will Glover Remembers by Matt Cohn
  5. Way Back Attack - TOP 100 LISTS! TOP 100 SURF SONGS
  6. Billboard - THE HOT 100 45 Penetration
  7. Los Angeles Times, March 31, 1995 - Pyramid Power : Pop music: Anaheim resident Will Glover, whose band had a hit with ‘Penetration,’ has tales to tell of surf music’s heyday, though now his heart’s in country By JIM WASHBURN
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