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The Sentinals were a surf rock band from San Luis Obispo, California (1961–1965). The band is notable for a Latino influence in some works, such as "Latin'ia" (1962). Notable band members included Tommy Nuñes, drummer John Barbata (later of The Turtles and Jefferson Starship) and Lee Michaels (then known as Michael Olsen) on keyboards.

Background

Even though a surf group, they added an appealing Latin accent to their music. According to band member John Barbata, as mentioned in Craig Fenton's Take Me to a Circus Tent: The Jefferson Airplane Flight Manual, the group was actually rhythm and Blues.

Career

1960s

In the summer of 1962, the group toured the country and opened for bands including The Coasters and The Righteous Brothers. Also that year, through Norman Knowles, the group came across Tony Hilder, whose company Anthony Music would later become involved in legal action with Del-Fi records, slapping the label with a $122,000 lawsuit as a result of royalties not being paid. This was relating to an alleged agreement for the masters of albums by The Sentinels, The Centurians, Dave Myers and the Surftones, etc.

In 1963 the band was featured in the March 16 issue of Central Coast Living section of The Tribune. Kenny Hinkle was pictured on the cover. Also that year, their Big Surf album was released on the Del-Fi label.

According to Robert J. Dalley's book Surfin' Guitars: Instrumental Surf Bands of the Sixties, the 1965 line up consisted of John Barbata, Ron Gornell, Kenny Hinkle, Norman Knowles, and Tommy Nuñes.

1970s to 1980s

In August 1984, they got together and played at the San Luis Obispo Officer's Club. This live reunion was for their twenty-year class reunion.

1990s to present

In 1996, Del-Fi released the Big Surf Hits various artists compilation album, featuring their track "Big Surf". Other artists on the album were The Impacts, Dave Myers and The Surftones and The Lively Ones.

Members

• John Barbata: drums, 1961–66
• Ron Gornell: organ, 1965–66
• Peter Graham: guitar, 1961–62
• Kenny Hinkle: vocals & bass, 1962–66
• Bobby Holmquist: saxophone, 1961–64
• Norman Knowles: saxophone, 1963-66
• Lee Michaels (Michael Olsen): organ, vocals, 1966
• Tommy Nuñes: guitar 1961–66
• Ronnie Page: vocals, 1966
• Ben Trout: bass, 1962-64
• Harry Sackrider: guitar, 1962-64
• Doug Scott: drums
• Gary Winburne: bass, 1961–62,

Discography

References

1. ^ Pemberton, Patrick S. (1 March 2012). "Surf music". The Tribune. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
2. The Golden Age of Rock Instrumentals, Steven Otfinoski - Page 143
3. Take Me to a Circus Tent: The Jefferson Airplane Flight Manual, by Craig Fenton - Page 346 John Barbata- Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship
4. Surfin' Guitars: Instrumental Surf Bands of the Sixties, Robert J. Dalley - Page 259
5. Billboard, 26 Mar 1966 Page 4, Anthony Music Sues Del-Fi
6. The Tribune - Photos From The Vault, Surf’s Up, the Sentinals rock the Central Coast by David Middlecamp
7. Billboard, June 29, 1963 - Page 30 Surf's Up!!!
8. Surfin' Guitars: Instrumental Surf Bands of the Sixties, Robert J. Dalley - Page 262
9. Surfin' Guitars: Instrumental Surf Bands of the Sixties, Robert J. Dalley - Page 264
10. Discogs - Various – Big Surf Hits
11. Surfing, By Gregory Maube, Sylvain Cazenave - Page 35
12. California Gold Coast Dreamin' - The Sentinals, San Luis Obispo County
13. Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records, By Tim Neely - Page 607 SENTINALS, THE
14. 45Cat -- The Sentinals - Discography
15. ^ Discogs - The Sentinals Discography, Albums

• American surf music groups
• Rock music groups from California
• Musical groups established in 1961
• Musical groups disestablished in 1965
• Del-Fi Records artists
• Era Records artists
• 1961 establishments in California