The Definitive 1000 Songs Of All Time 1955 to 2005: Number 424

Number 424

Ronny & The Daytonas

"G.T.O"

(1964)

Genre: Surf Rock

Normally when you think of Surf music you instantly think of The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean or even maybe the Surfaris. So when a band from "Good ole" Nashville in 1964 started singing West coast surf rock instead of good ole country tunes like Glen Campbell or Johnny Cash did, you could imagine a few people started scratching their noodle in wonder. Even after 45 years this song is still as catchy as the day it was released in 1964. G.T.O is still played in major sports venues during the breaks or half time, with people screaming at the top of their lungs singing "Wa-wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa, wa". Sure, it's not the most inspiring chorus you have ever heard, but it is sure the easiest to sing half cut at a sports venue while cheering for your favourite team. ~ crowbarred

Where is the beach bro?

Nashville's greatest contribution to the hot-rod and surfing craze of the early '60s came in the form of Ronny & the Daytonas. Centered around singer-guitarist-songwriter John "Bucky" Wilkin (son of country tunesmith Marijohn Wilkin, best known for composing "Long Black Veil" and "One Day At a Time"), their big moment in the sun came with their debut disc, the Wilkin-penned "G.T.O." After writing the song in physics class as a senior in high school, Wilkin's mom pulled a few strings, landed him a publishing deal, and had a session set up with Nashville producer (and former Sun session man) Bill Justis. Justis cut the tune with various Nashville session players who had a feel for rock & roll and instructed Bucky to come up with a group name to put on the record. Wilkin became Ronny Dayton with the anonymous backing group becoming the Daytonas. The record sprang to number four on the national charts, and an album was cut in two weeks using more or less the same personnel.

art by Ashley-Danielle

Wilkin seems to have cared little about playing live and, after a short time fronting a thrown-together combo for selected dates (including a USO tour), simply put together a phantom group to go out and honor tour commitments. After the USO tour, Buzz Cason joined the group, becoming Wilkin's main writing partner. A shift away from the Beach Boys-styled hot-rod and surf tunes came with the group's second hit, the ballad "Sandy." Another album, exploring the ballad side of the band, was recorded in Germany with Cason and various session players, including a full string section, then an innovative idea for a rock & roll record. The hits soon dried up, however, and the band moved on to RCA Victor with some success before Wilkin left to pursue a solo career with albums on United Artists and Liberty. He remains active today on the oldies circuit. ~ [Cub Koda, All Music Guide]

For Beach Boys see Number 517, #560, #576, #641 & #714

For Jan & Dean see Number 847

For Surfaris see Number 451

For Glen Campbell see Number 884

For Johnny Cash see Number 624 & #705

Gimme shelter from RS

What does RS think of Ronny & The Daytonas?

Not a thing, but this is exactly the point of this site ... innit. So lets fill this space with what Rolling Stones really think .............. Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing,. [Source: Off a toilet roll]

Rolling Stone magazine deemed their '424th Song of all Time' was "Tumblin' Dice" by Rolling Stones. Rolling Stones has appeared in The Definitive 1000 @ #689 & #767

Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs ranked this song at (Beach Boys? Jan & Dean? Surfaris?) and the Album ranked at Number (Nashville does country?)

This song has a Definitive 1000 rating of 77.8 out of 108