On This Day in Rock and Roll History – April 23, 1963 The surf was definitely up in the recording studio as Jan and Dean teamed up with The Beach Boys to lay down what would become a defining anthem of the surf rock era — “Surf City.” Written by Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys and Jan Berry of Jan and Dean, Surf City wasn't just another catchy tune about waves and woodies — it made history. When it hit the airwaves, it became the first surf song ever to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, riding t