American Graffiti @ 40: ‘…a final farewell to childhood dreams before reality steps in’

Saluting AMERICAN GRAFFITI on its 40th anniversary, we offer a view from the younger generation in the form of Australian THOMAS CALDWELL's smart take on the 1973 classic coming of age story.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Surf in Verse, 2019 Edition

Our HERE COMES SUMMER celebration continues with the perennially popular SURF IN VERSE feature. Five surfing-inspired poems written by surfers (three of them females) are enhanced by classic surf music courtesy THE BEL AIRS and...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Surf in Verse: Summer’s Last Ride

One last ride on the big waves, in verse, with a soundtrack featuring THE ASTRONAUTS, THE BEACH BOYS, THE G-MEN, THE CHANTAYS and vintage surfing footage by DR. DON JAMES. Plus the earliest known surfing poem, from 1911.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Walt Disney, Surf Cartoon Pioneer

In 1937 WALT DISNEY produced the first animated surfing cartoon, HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Donald and, in an influential star turn, GOOFY.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The One True Gidget

From TheBluegrassSpecial.com archives, an exclusive interview with the real GIDGET, KATHY KOHNER, whose father turned his daughter's surfing exploits into a '50s cultural phenomenon in a series of best selling novels.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Surf in Verse, 2021 Edition

Return to one of our most popular summer features, SURF IN VERSE, four evocative poems about the surf experience. This year's edition includes the oldest known surfing poem, THE SONG OF THE SURF, circa 1867, by ADAM LINDSAY GORDON
by David McGee
 

 

 

Surf in Verse (2017 Edition)

Our annual roundup of poetry inspired by the surfing experience and largely written by surfers. The spirituality of the natural world comes alive in verse. With musical interludes to boot.
by David McGee
 

 
 

My Summer Romance

Our annual MY SUMMER ROMANCE feature spotlights four true first-person tales of love capturing unassuming hearts during the summer months (and sometimes beyond) in Hawaii.
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘Dad, I Think We Got One’ : Eddie Cochran and Jerry Capehart Craft A Seasonal Classic

EDDIE COCHRAN's manager and co-writer JERRY CAPEHART remembers the day he and Eddie, in search of a hit, wrote a certified seasonal classic, 'Summertime Blues'
by David McGee
 

 
 

Surf in Verse

Five choice poems by surfers about the spiritual experience of riding the waves, being at one with nature. Surf music interludes by DICK DALE, JAN AND DEAN, THE FOUR SEASONS, TAKESHI TERAUCHI & THE BUNNYS.
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Royal Sport

In 1907 JACK LONDON sailed to Hawaii in his ketch The Snark. His enthusiastic report on surfing, 'A ROYAL SPORT, rekindled interest in riding the waves in surfing's birthplace and launchied its modern era. Read it here.
by David McGee