1989: the Trashmen

by Bill Wareham, Minnesota Public Radio,
Marc Sanchez, Minnesota Public Radio

Minneapolis, Minn. — Today, artists like the Black Eyed Peas, Nicki Minaj, and Justin Bieber rule the Billboard charts. In January of 1964, Minneapolis band, the Trashmen, were poised to score a number one hit with "Surfin' Bird."

Usually billed as a one hit wonder band, the Trashmen helped bring surf music to the Midwest, and they paid their dues with non-stop touring. The band regularly played sold out dances to hundreds of screaming teens in Minnesota and around the country. In fact, they even made a trip to Venezuelan. "Surfin' Bird" was even outselling the newest kids on the block, the Beatles, and stayed at number one on the Venezuelan charts for over 3 months.

This 1989 interview, MPR reporter, Bill Wareham talks to some of the Trashmen about the recent death of drummer and singer Steve Wahrer.