Church Key
"Church Key" is a classic instrumental single that was released by California surf group The Revels on Tony Hilder's Impact Records label in 1960. It was a hit for the group and later a hit for Dave Myers and his Surf-Tones.
Background
The song was written by Dan Darnold and Norman Knowles.A version of the song by The Biscaynes appears on the Surf's Up! At Banzai Pipeline compilation album.
The Revels version
History
The involvement with Tony Hilder came about as a result of meeting him early in 1960. The group were playing for a March of Dimes benefit in San Luis Obispo at a Chevrolet dealership. Hilder had come into town to promote a couple of his artists, Billy Watkins and Charles Wright. He was looking for a band to back them while on tour. Knowles wanted Hilder to think about The Revels as the backing group. It didn't happen but Hilder still left his business card. The second time that the group came across Hilder was in the summer of 1960. The group had driven down to LA for what was to be their second recording session. They were at a small studio located on the corner of Santa Monica and Western. The session wasn't too fruitful so Knowles decided to ring Hilder with his experience to come over to help them with the session. Soon Hilder arrived with Robert Hafner who was his partner and songwriter. Hilder's attention was drawn to Dan Darnold's playing around with the vibrato bar. Hafner helped with a melody centering around a hook with the vibrato. An arrangement was developed and later the title "Church Key" came about. Barbara Adkins, Hilder's girlfriend and future wife provided the giggles on the recording. Robert Hafner had some other tunes with him, one of which was "Vesuvius". The band learnt it in the studio and recorded it. Not having his own label to release the recording at the time, Hilder and Norman Knowles started their own co. as partners, splitting the costs as well as the profits.The A side which was credited to The Revels with Barbara Adkins. The B side to the single was "Vesuvius which was written by Robert J. Hafner However, the 1959 release on CT 1-IM, 1-IMX credits Norman Knowles as the composer. Knowles' involvement as well As Hafner's is confirmed in Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series.
This was the first release on Hilder's Impact Records label. It was also previously released on the CT label which was another record label of Hilders. According to Norman Knowles, the song was banned in some cities because of it being "derogatory of religion." According to the liner notes in the CD release of Intoxica! The Best Of The Revels by John Blair, Adkins who did the female giggling voice on the recording was Tony Hilder's girlfriend and future wife.
Appearances
It appears on The Revels 1964 album Revels on a Rampage, Intoxica!!! The Best of the Revels in 1995 and various artist compilations Kahuna Classics: Surf Music, Surf Wax: Songs of the Beach and Instro Poker of Aces.The single was picked up by Liberty Records for national distribution. The banner that it was released under was that of Impact. This was to retain the identity of Tony Hilder's label.
The track
The track starts off with a guitar intro, following with the main theme of the number is handled by the guitar in a 12 bar blues progression. There is a party atmosphere in the track. The title of the track is spoken. There is the sound of a beer can being opened as well as a voice of giggling female. The piano player on the track is said to be Langdon Winner.The group
"Church Key" and "Comanche" were the tracks The Revels were best known for. "Church Key" was a hit for them in 1960. The band's next single was "Intoxica" / "Tequila" which was released in 1961.Dave Myers and his Surf-Tones version
Dave Myers and The Surftones had their version released on Impact records as well. Their version which was backed with "Passion" was released on Impact 27 / 27-IM / 27-IMX. The B side composition was credited to Robert J. Hafner and Anthony Hilder. They managed to have a local hit with it in L.A. in 1963.The version of "Church Key" by Dave Myers & The Surftones is on the ultimate surf music playlist by SurferToday.com.
Releases including other versions
| Act | Title | Catalogue | Year | Notes |
| The Revels | "Church Key" / "Vesuvius" | CT 1-IM, 1-IMX | 1959 / 1960 ? | |
| The Revels with Barbara Adkins | "Church Key" / "Vesuvius" | Impact 1-IM / 1-IMX | 1960 | |
| The Gonzos | "Church Key" / "Very Muddy Waters" | Donna 1330 | 1960 | |
The Surfaris
| "Moment Of Truth" / * "Church Key" | Northridge 1001 | 1963 | |
| Jim Waller And The Deltas | "Surfin' Wild" / "Church Key" | Arvee A-5072 | 1963 | |
| Dave Myers and his Surf-Tones | "Church Key" / "Passion" | Impact 27-IMX | 1963 | |
| Dave Cooper and the Continentals | "Church Key" / "Continental Surf" | Westco WC - 7 | 1964 | |
| Opposite Six | "Church Key Pt. 68" / "Continental Surf" | South Shore SS45-721 | ||
| The Lone Surfer And His Super Pals | "Church Key" / "Horror Beach" | Planet Pimp Records – PP-003 | 1993 | |
| * The TrashmenThe Wailers | * "Church Key" / "Wailin'" | Sundazed / Norton LV-1 | 1999 |
| Act | Title | Catalogue | Year | Notes |
| The Surf Raiders | Surfin' "81": Live At The Ice House | Moxie Records M-1039 | 1981 |
| Act | Title | Catalogue | Year | Notes |
| Centurians | Surfers' Pajama Party | Del-Fi Records DFLP 1228 | 1963 | |
| The Impacts | Wipe Out! | Del-Fi Records DFLP 1234 | 1963 | |
| The Rivieras | Let's Have a Party | U.S.A. 102 | 1964 | |
| Various Artists | Jet Set Dance Discothèque Vol. 3 | Audio Fidelity DFS 7041 | 1964 | "Church Key" by unknown artist |
| Jon and the Nightriders | Recorded Live At Hollywood's Famous Whisky A Go-Go | Voxx Records VXS 200.005 | 1981 | |
| The Halibuts | Halibut Beach | What Records? W12-2407 | 1984 | |
| The Original Surfaris | Bombora! | Sundazed Music SC 6063 | 1995 | |
| The Surf Teens | Surf Mania | Bacchus Archives BA 1127 | 1998 | |
| The Phantom Surfers | The Exciting Sounds Of Model Road Racing | Hobby Hut Records – HH-124, Lookout! Records LK183 | 1998 | |
| Al Garcia and the Rhythm Kings | Exotic And Rockin' Instrumentals, 1963-1964 | Bacchus Archives BA1135 | 1999 | |
| Detroit Bros. | Murdered by the Surf Music | PPDET-0004 | 2000 | |
| Naked City | Live In Quebec '88 | Air Cuts AC2CD8042 | 2017 |
Note: "Church Key" by The Fabulous Pharaohs released in 1966 is a different track all together and was credited to Fisher-Stevenson.