Beyond the Autograph: Why Every Surf Music Fan Needs This Book
Tom Tourville has published 32 books,
earning the respect and admiration of fellow writers, journalists, musicians,
and publishers alike.
His book Sun, Sand,
Surf & Sidewalls is now available in its 4th edition. The author
releases this publication under his own brand, Midwest Publications, and will
ship the book to you directly if you contact him or just purchase it through his eBay store.
While the previous volumes are available on Amazon, please note that this
specific 4th edition is not.
When I first picked up
the book, I wondered why I would have any interest in it if I weren't an
autograph collector. That question was answered rather quickly after I read the
introduction by Steve Hough of The Rumbles.
If you are a collector
of any persuasion—whether your focus is instrumental surf or surf music with
vocals—this book offers a fascinating dive into the history of the genre. It
includes pictures of actual autographs, photos of the bands, information about
their releases, and recommendations on how to track down these collectibles.
My interest was piqued
right away, and I soon found myself hunting for 45s on eBay. Thanks to what I
discovered in these pages, I ended up ordering an LP. The fact that I only
bought one after reading the book cover to cover is a minor miracle, and I have
a feeling I’ll be revisiting these pages very soon.
While I’ve been
fortunate over the years to get my share of signed memorabilia, I never gave
much thought to actively seeking out autographs. The information in this book
may change your mind if you are like me. It sheds light on whether certain
signatures are readily available or rare and expensive. Before you begin your
own search, you'll gain a clear idea of what to expect.
As you reach the end of
the book, there is a listing of what various bands were paid during the first
wave of surf music. I found it fascinating to see the pay gap between a massive
act like The Beach Boys and an artist like Link Wray. It seems the cultural
relevance of the musicians wasn't the primary factor in their compensation;
rather, it was based entirely on their mainstream popularity—a dynamic that
still rings true today. Back then, artists relied heavily on physical records,
radio airplay, and live appearances to support their musical endeavors, which
was a much more time-consuming grind. Today, exposure is instant, and the
options are limitless, yet standing out is far more difficult due to endless
choices and a data-driven digital market.
If you find yourself
inspired to start a new hobby collecting surf artists' autographs, eBay and
sites like Discogs are great places to look. However, joining relevant Facebook
groups or visiting sites like Surf 101 to ask questions before dropping any cash
is probably the best approach until you become more seasoned.
Ultimately, Sun,
Sand, Surf & Sidewalls (4th Edition) proved to be a fascinating and
distinctive read—standing out from others in the genre and making the
experience especially intriguing.
The book is available
directly from Midwest Publications (P.O. Box 404, Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360) or
via eBay and Facebook. It retails for $17.99 plus $5.00
shipping within the U.S. For inquiries, you can reach the author directly at tourvillea@aol.com.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art
Founder
July 1, 2026
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