In the early 1960s, one of the most popular forms of rock and roll was surf rock. It is characterized simple song structure (usually based around three chords), reverbed guitars and rolling, wave-like instrumentals. The original practitioners recorded mostly instrumental songs.

The genre is usually said to have been invented by Dick Dale on "Let's Go Trippin'", which became a hit throughout California. However, Duane Eddy's "Movin' and Groovin" is thought by many to be the main contender for laying the groundwork as the first Surf record. The opening riff of Duane's record was used by the Beach Boys for their own "Surfin USA". By the mid-1960s, the Beach Boys had emerged as the dominant surf group; they used complex pop harmonies over a basic surf rock rhythm.

• The Astronauts
• The Atlantics
• The Beach Boys
• Bruce & Terry
• Al Casey
• The Challengers
• The Chantays
• Clee-Shays
• Jerry Cole
• Dick Dale
• Duane Eddy
• Eddie & the Showmen
• The Fantastic Baggys
• The Honeys
• Jan & Dean
• Bruce Johnston
• The Lively Ones
• The Rip-Chords
• The Surfaris
• The Tornadoes
• The Trashmen
• Gary Usher
• The Ventures
• The Wipeouters