This is the Skateboard Bill single by surfing icon Corky Carroll. He retired from the professional surfing circuit in 1972 at the age of 24, about the same time he began his recording career. The engineer on this session was none other than future Surf Punk and member of Johnny Rad’s house band, Dennis Dragon. Dennis handled soundtrack and audio effects in the early Bones Brigade videos. On top of that, he lives in Oregon now. I might go stalk him.
The b-side of this record is supposed to contain a track called Pocket Rocket, but the copy I received appeared to be a special promo copy in blue vinyl with two copies of the a side. As a result I don’t know if Pocket Rocket is skateboard related or not. The cover was illustrated by another iconic figure, Rick Griffin, most famous as a psychedelic rock poster illustrator, but also known as one of the underground comix artists. Griffin had comics published in surfing and skateboarding publications in the 60’s and 70’s as well. MC is has paid homage to him on a couple occasions. You’ll notice the Christian symbolism on the bottom of Skateboard Bill’s board. According to Wikipedia, Griffin experienced a life changing adoption of Christianity in 1970. This record was released in 1977.
So how does it sound. Well it’s like bad 70’s country top 40 exploitation that verges on Disco. It’s horrible.
14 comments
wheelies
Just found your site looking up corky carrolls skateboard bill 45.Cool.
I got one in a box of 45s i picked up at a garage sale,
i did notice the cross and fish, was this original to the cover? Mine seems to be added although it looks just like yours.same outline etc.
I have the flip side pocket rocket, creative but just as bad as side one.I was going to donate this to a skate museum in Simi valley, ca. but wanted some info on it.
kilwag
If you read the post you know as much about as I do, if not more! It’s not even listed in the discography at All Music.
masterochicken
I just realized there’s a jesus fish on the bottom of that board… Inside a cross… redundant?
wes
i surfed with Corky 3 years ago in Salidita,Mexico. Still killin it 70’s style.
NotsoSmert
Are you guys crazy? That’s quite possibly the greatest song I’ve ever heard! Any chance of getting an MP3 of that?
shvitz
OMG, saw awful.
Can’t un-hear.
cold ones
You dudes are on acid. That song freaking rocks.
K.C.
Cool 70’s footage of Lakewood Center Skate World in California.
The Skateboard Bill song was excruciatingly painful to listen to. I forced myself to listen to it for 2 minuets and I just had to turn it off, and I only had 30 seconds left. Dang… That was Bad!
Sheabones
Actually Dennis Dragon’s brother was the Captain…but I sure wish I could get hold of Dennis to ask him about this song:
Sheabones
Actually Dennis Dragon’s brother was the Captain…but I sure wish I could get hold of Dennis to ask him about this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u495yUG6dMw I recently recorded a version of it (http://www.divshare.com/download/12756784-5fa) at Louder Studios and I wanna give whomever wrote it proper credit when our album drops (as well as find out the proper song title). If anyone knows how to reach him, please hollar.
Sickpuppies
hey pretty mamma he’s gonna be alright.
hangoverhelper
“i’m headin down the road on this blue skate board….i hope i don’t break my neck”…hey i like it its kind of catchy, i hope corky’s numerous eye surgeries were’nt a factor in him almost getting killed! you can probably blame a hot groupie for telling him this is good. THe cover art is good RICK GRIFFIN WAS AND IS THE BEST ARTIST.
michael brooke
I always wondered what this sounded like.
Thanks. Now, how do I get those 2 1/2 minutes back?
Darryl Dragon was/is the Captain in Captain and Tennile
Amazing what you can find with google…he now has Parkinsons…
http://captainandtennille.net/tonis-take_blog_01.htm
kaos
wow, that is really bad.