Johnny Fortune

Fortune (1943-2006), from southern California, was a surf guitarist (real name John Sudetta) who is credited with introducing the genre via his 1963 hit Soul Surfer (on which his 10-year old brother played drums). He was invited to support Johnny Burnette on a British tour: however, Fortune was only 16 at the time so was unable to leave the States. He performed session work for Sam Cooke (playing guitar on Chain Gang), Glen Campbell and the Beach Boys among others.

His 1964 single Siboney was a local hit in Los Angeles, but it was the B-side, Dragster, opening with motor racing track sound effects, that caught the attention of a 25-year old Peel. The latter song (like Fortune's earliest successes, issued on the Park Avenue label) became JP's signature tune for his BFBS shows from the 1990s until the end of their run, and was later found in John Peel's Record Box.

Fortune taught at a music store during the 1970s and played live regularly (in a bizarre range of genres). During his later career he switched to country (and to vocals as opposed to instrumental music) and was nominated for a Nashville Music Trailblazer award in 1997.

Festive Fifty Entries

 * NoneJohnny Fortune - Soul Surfer - 45rpm Surf Instro! 1963

Sessions

 * None

Other Shows Played

 * 05 March 1986: 'Dragster (7")' (Sonet)