The "rookies", as they were called, brought a new youthful energy to the group, that was evidenced after their first concert together, on July 4, 1975, in Palm Springs, California.
In 1981, they moved from Jan & Dean to an association with the Beach Boys, and performed and recorded with members of that band for the following two decades.
[1] Their first major record release, "Be True to Your School" (RCA, 1975), was produced by Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys.
Former members include founding members Jim Shippey, Steve Dromensk, Charlie Rush, Mike McLemore, Mark Ward, Jim Armstrong, Steve Barone, Andy Parker, Dan "The Man" McNamara, Jeffrey Foskett and Randell Kirsch.
Many notable surf performers have frequently sat in with Papa Doo Run Run, most notably Dean Torrence leading to his public reunion with Jan Berry (Jan and Dean), the Beach Boys; Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, plus frequent celebrity drummer John Stamos.