Jon & The Nightriders electrified music lovers in 1979 when their maiden effort "Rumble At Waikiki" exploded on to the Hollywood scene and ignited what music historians now call the "second wave," or modern school of rock & roll's first electronic revolution: "instrumental" surf music.

Within months, and throughout the ensuing decades, bands cropped up all over the planet performing "instrumental" surf music, recognizing its importance as both an indigenous California folk music and a unique and demanding musical style.

Hailed as one of the greatest surf bands of all time by the prestigious international music journal Pipeline Magazine, Jon & The Nightriders were founded in Riverside, California, by author and guitarist John Blair, shortly after his work with Ray Campi & The Rockabilly Rebels.

In addition to reintroducing the nearly-forgotten style of guitar-based, instrumental surf music that laid the groundwork in the late 50s and early 60s for heavy metal and fusion styles, Jon & The Nightriders inspired classic "first wave" bands such as The Ventures and Dick Dale to resume touring.

The band came together only for the purpose of recording four surf instrumentals for release on a 7-inch extended play (EP) record - something Blair had wanted to do since the "first wave" of surf music's popularity in the mid-1960s.

Self-released on Blair's own California label, "Rumble at Waikiki" quickly drew the attention of Bomp Records' President Greg Shaw who commissioned Blair to record an entire album's worth of traditional surf instrumental music. In 1979, this music form had all but lapsed into obscurity. Shaw felt there was still an audience and, in 1980, "Surf Beat '80" was released on Voxx Records, a Bomp subsidiary.

That record, in turn, got the attention of a local southern California concert promoter who asked Jon & The Nightriders to perform at an upcoming concert featuring the Surf Punks and Dick Dale. Interestingly, the promoter had decided to call the concert "Surf Beat '80"! So, Jon & The Nightriders' debut public performance occurred at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on October 3rd, 1980, in front of a sold-out audience. That appearance essentially sparked the band's long history of concerts and recordings that continues to the present.

After the Santa Monica Civic appearance, Jon & The Nightriders played at nearly every nightclub in the greater Los Angeles area including multiple appearances at the well-known Roxy, Whisky A-Go-Go, and Starwood nighteries. In fact, the band's second album, also on the Voxx label, was recorded live at an early 1981 appearance at the Whisky A-Go-Go. That same year, the band was asked to make a month long tour of Europe, the first time a surf instrumental band had ever been brought across the pond. To help support the tour, it was decided to record a new single. Well-known Hollywood record producer, Kim Fowley, was asked to work with the band and three songs were recorded, all targeted for European release in advance of the band's summer tour.

Skip to the present. Between 1981 and 2001, Jon & The Nightriders continued to record, perform locally, and tour Europe. The band has recorded eight studio and live albums to date, and released a retrospective collection in addition to appearing on numerous compilation albums including Rhino Records' 1996 box set of surf music, "Cowabunga." The band's music has been heard in several theatrical film soundtracks and in two surfing documentaries from filmmaker Bud Browne. They have made five successful European tours, performing in nearly every major European country.

Their 1999 CD, "Moving Target," was voted best instrumental record of the year by the readers of England's Pipeline Magazine. The band's records, and leader John Blair, have also received accolades and awards from the Salt Lake City Surf Music Appreciation Society.

The original lineup of Jon & The Nightriders was:

    John Blair, guitar
    Dave Wronski, guitar
    Jeff Nicholson, bass
    Dusty Watson, drums

Greg Eckler replaced Dusty Watson on drums in the early 1980s. Eckler had worked with the late 70's San Francisco band Rubicon, Rick Nelson, and Jody Reynolds ("Endless Sleep"). Watson rejoined Jon & The Nightriders in 1995 for a short time before leaving to perform with Dick Dale and the instrumental band, Slacktone. The current lineup of the band includes:

    John Blair, guitar
    Dave Wronski, guitar
    Sam Bolle, bass
    Dallon Smith, drums

Sam Bolle, noted bassist for Dick Dale and Slacktone, brings a depth of power and energy to Jon & The Nightriders. Dallon Smith is the newest and youngest member of the band. Still working on his drumming pedigree, Smith provides the strong backbeat necessary for the music and has become a welcome addition to the band. Dave Wronski continues to provide an all-important element to the band's sound. His guitar playing has been critically acclaimed for his work with Jon & The Nightriders and as a contributor to many other artists' recording projects, television commercial source music, and his own instrumental project, Slacktone.

Twenty-one years after its formation, Jon & The Nightriders remain one of the most respected and popular surf instrumental bands on the planet.