Gary Usher Talks About Hot Rod Music

© 1990 John Blair and Stephen J. McParland

Note: This copyrighted material is used with permission and comes from the Foreward of "The Illustrated Discography of Hot Rod Music 1961-1965" compiled by John Blair and Stephen J. McParland.
Throughout the years, I have been asked countless times how I became involved with hot rod music and I usually respond by explaining how I wrote the song 409 with Brian Wilson. This song, as I'm sure most of you know, went on to become the first of many car hits during the early and mid-sixties. However, the beginning really goes back to 1960-61 when, as a Titan Records recording artist, I performed with Carol Conners and Ginger Blake (later of the Honeys) at the Orange Show Fairgrounds in San Bernardino. The host disc jokey was none other that Roger (hot rod) Christian from KFWB radio.

 After the show, Roger and I struck up a friendship that centered around his car, a customized 1955 Corvette. Ginger drove my car home and I "flew" home with Roger at an average speed of 90 miles per hour! Roger was equally fascinated with my 348 cubic inch Chevy. When he discovered I spent my weekends drag racing with Paul Peterson at the San Fernando Airport Dragstrip, we became inseparable. I should add that this occurred before I had the good fortune of meeting and working with the Beach Boys.

 I recall many times driving to Hollywood and meeting Roger after he got off the air at midnight. There was a coffee shop below KFWB where we would sit and talk about cars until dawn. Little did we realize that this was the beginning of a trend that Stephen McParland and John Blair have documented on the following pages.

 The height of the hot rod fad climaxed during a one month period when Roger and I actually wrote, and I recorded, over 50 car songs. By that time, I had purchased a new 426 Plymouth Hemi Superstock. It's interesting that I never did own a 409 Chevy; by the time I had "saved my dimes," the 426 was considerably faster. I should add that I won many events at the San Fernando dragstrip with my 426 and a young, exuberant Dennis Wilson by my side.

 It's funny to note that as a result of my sucess with the Beach Boys and other recording artists, I was able to buy a new sky blue Cadillac Coupe de Ville. Many of my close friends accused me of selling out!!

 It was a great period for the "California Sound" and for my life as well. It was a time of simplicity, innocence, surfing, cars, and musical innovation. I can clearly recall many nights at the local drive-in with Brian and myself, a couple of girls, and a six-pack, singing songs like Sherry, Soldier Boy, Locomotion, and Palisades Park at the top of our lungs.

 From 409 to Let's Go To Heaven In My Car, I have a feeling we've somehow covered it all. As they say, "Those were the good ol' days."

 Gary Usher

To purchase a copy of "The Illustrated Discography of Hot Rod Music 1961-1965, contact:

 Popular Culture, Ink.
P.O. Box 1839
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106
U.S.A.

 Telephone: 313-761-4300

Home