Richard Delvy

Richard Delvy (April 20, 1942 – February 6, 2010) was an American music entrepreneur. He started in the music business as a drummer who played with The Bel-Airs and took his experience to broader appeal with The Challengers, who were in the forefront of the surf music explosion in southern California. He also worked as a composer, arranger, music manager, producer, and music publisher.[1] He owned the rights to several iconic surf and rock songs including "Wipe Out", "Mr. Moto" (written by him with Paul Johnson), and "Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It)". He is well known as being one of the first pioneers of surf music.[2]

Richard Delvy
Birth nameRichard Delvecchio
Born(1942-04-20)April 20, 1942
Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
DiedFebruary 6, 2010(2010-02-06) (aged 67)
West Hills, California, United States
GenresSurf music
Folk rock
Psychedelic folk
Pop rock
Instrument(s)Drums, percussion
Years active1960–2010
LabelsVault Records
GNP
Rhino Records
World Pacific
Sundazed
Fantasy
Teichiku Records (Union)

Overview

Richard Delvy was a surf music pioneer. In 1960, the first band he played drums in was called The Bel-Airs, and in late 1962 he founded The Challengers. They produced a smash hit album titled Surfbeat, released in January 1963. Surfbeat took the California Sound and surf music to new levels of acceptance and remains the best selling surf album of all time. His band released 15 Challengers albums throughout the sixties as well as others recorded under different names for the US and foreign markets.

Delvy also worked as a record producer through the rest of the 60's evolving with hot rod rock, folk rock, pop, rock, and psychedelic rock music as they developed. In the early 1970s, Delvy toured as the music director for Tony Orlando and Dawn and with the teen sensation David Cassidy, star of The Partridge Family TV show. During Delvy's career, he also worked for MGM Music, Bell Records, and Carousel Records. Billboard recognized Delvy as a multi-talented music entrepreneur and promoter who had the talent to join many different attributes needed as a performer and to manage artists' output effectively.[3]

Death and legacy

Richard Delvy died on February 6, 2010, after suffering from a long illness. He helped produce many known and unknown artists, and was involved in all aspects of the music business. He was survived by his wife Bonnie, three children, and one grandchild.[4]

Credits (incomplete)

Bands and music

The Groovy Ghoulies

Films

Television

References
  1. "Passings Richard Delvy Drummer, Producer". Los Angeles Times. February 13, 2010. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  2. "Surf-rock pioneer Richard Delvy dies at 67". Reuters. February 6, 2010. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  3. "Surf-rock pioneer Richard Delvy dies at 67". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  4. "Surf-rock pioneer Richard Delvy dies at 67". Reuters. February 6, 2010. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  5. "Colours (14) – Atmosphere". Discogs.com. July 1969.
  • Richard Delvy's IMDB page
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