One Hit Wonder: The Trashmen (1963)
Surfin' Bird Single by The Trashmen From the album Surfin' Bird B-side: King of the Surf Released: November 13, 1963 Recorded: 1963 Songwriters: Al Frazier, Carl White, Sonny Harris, Turner Wilson Jr. "Surfin' Bird is a medley made up of the choruses of two R&B classics by the '60s doo-wop group The Rivingtons : "The Bird Is the Word" and "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow." The brainchild of Trashmen drummer Steve Wahrer, the song was a quirky and consumable hit. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 on December 28, 1963.