Feature Song: “Pipeline”
I am pretty sure that many of you, like myself, saw the feature song title and immediately had that opening bass line going through your head. And, quite possibly, many of you, again like myself, sighed and said: “Ahh, The Ventures.” I had no idea, until I started looking into this classic instrumental “surf rock” hit from the 60s, that The Ventures’ version was a cover. Live and learn!
The Chantays are an American surf rock band formed in Orange County, California in 1961 by five Santa Ana High School friends: Bob Spickard, Brian Carman (the co-writers of “Pipeline”), Bob Welch, Warren Waters, and Rob Marshall. In 1962, they recorded and released “Pipeline,” which also appeared on their first studio album in 1993, also titled Pipeline. That album also included “Blunderbus” and “El Conquistador.” Their follow-up album, Two Sides of the Chantays, was released in 1964. They toured Japan and the United States, joining The Righteous Brothers and Roy Orbison on a few occasions. They were also the only rock and roll band to perform on The Lawrence Welk Show!
“Pipeline” was originally called “Liberty’s Whip” after The Man Who Shot Liberty Vance, was renamed after the band members saw a surfing movie showing scenes of the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii. The song’s distinctive sound was largely due to the mix being “upside down” compared to typical rock and roll of the era; the bass guitar, electric piano, and rhythm guitar were at the forefront, while the lead guitar and drums were less prominent. There have been a myriad of covers over the years, everything from “thrash metal” to the “jazz” cover that I recently found by one of my favorite guitarists, Bill Frisell. And, if you were a hockey fan back in the 80s and 90s, you may have heard “Pipeline” being played as the entrance music for the Edmonton Oilers at the Northlands Coliseum, as a pun on the oil industry!
The Ventures are an American instrumental rock band formed in Tacoma, Washington in 1958 by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle. The band, which was a quartet for most of its existence, helped to popularize the electric guitar across the world in the 60s. While their popularity waned in the United States by the 1970s, they remained revered in Japan, where they have toured regularly. The classic lineup consisted of Wilson (rhythm guitar), Bogle (initially lead guitar, then bass), Nokie Edwards (initially bass, later lead guitar), and Mel Taylor (drums). Their first wide-release single, “Walk, Don’t Run” (1960, brought international fame to the group, and is often cited as one of the top songs ever recorded for guitar (I know it was one of the first tune I learned when I picked up my first guitar at age 13). The Ventures have released over 250 albums, a mind-boggling number, 38 of them charting, and have sold over 100 million records, making them the best-selling instrumental band of all time.
I came across cover number two by the Bill Frisell Trio a few months ago, and after listening to it I knew I had to feature the song. Frisell (1951) is an American jazz guitarist. He first came to prominence at ECM Records in the 1980s, as both a session player and leader. Since the late 1990s, Frisell’s output as a bandleader has integrated prominent elements of folk, country, rock n’ roll, and Americana into his music. His first break came when guitarist Pat Metheny was unable to make a recording session and recommended Frisell to Paul Motian, who was recording Psalm (1982) for ECM Records, subsequently becoming their in-house guitar player. He is still performing and recording. Although he is labelled a “jazz” guitarist, that designation does not accurately describe the many aspects of his playing, although it does fit somewhat with his cover of the featured song.
Enjoy!
The Chantays. “Pipeline” 1962. Of course, I had to use the live version from The Lawrence Welk Show (1963) and you will know why when you watch it!
The Ventures. “Pipeline” cover 1963.
And, just for the hell of it, a live performance by them from 2009!
The Bill Frisell Trio. “Pipeline” cover 2014. Bill Frisell (guitar), Greg Leisz (guitar), Tony Scherr (bass), Kenny Wollesen (drums).
Okay, one more, because I know you all want to hear a thrash metal version! Here is Anthrax from 2011.
Los Angeles 2025
You hit the jackpot, Irwin! I love the original Pipeline. It takes me back to early 60s’ summer days on the beach in Santa Monica, my first taste of freedom as a not-quite teenager thinking I was hot shit! I think I heard the Chantays’ version first, then the Ventures’. The video of the Chantays is so cringey in so many ways, and offers no hint of what was right around the corner in Musicland. I didn’t know how you could take that distinctive rhythm and make it a jazz song, but Bill Frisell did, and it’s a totally new song. I’m not a thrasher metal band (OMG, that hair!) and, again, what are they going to do with it? But they made Pipeline their own, as well. Who knew it had so many lives, and it’s still such a good piece of music! Thanks!
Why thank you! Growing up in the frozen north gave me a different experience with the song as you can imagine. I know that Lawerence Welk video is very cringey, which is why I used it. I’m not a trash metal person either, but I just had to include that one, if only just for the hair! Glad you enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
I love this song, and knew it was originally recorded by The Chantays. Hard to believe they appeared on Lawrence Welk’s show, but wow, they looked so clean cut! I was also a fan of The Ventures, as my much older half brother had some of their albums. The Bill Frisell version is marvelous, highlighted by his tour de force guitar work, while Anthrax played it like they were on speed.
Have not heard this for a long while. It’s a great tune and The Ventures were certainly not opposed to covering a song or two! One of the many bands my brother was in did this song. Love that LW show clip and the choreography is priceless!
Priceless is one way of putting it! LOL
Oh I had not listened to the Anthrax version before my last comment. It was as expected but exceeded my expectations!