The Challengers were an instrumental surf music band started in Los Angeles, California, in late 1962.
The Bel-Airs were originally formed by two guitarists, Eddie Bertrand and Paul Johnson, both 16 years old at the time they recorded "Mr. Moto".
During their peak years, from late 1960 to Summer 1963, The Bel-Airs had two drummers who played gigs with the band alternately, original Mouseketeer, Dick Dodd (Eddie & the Showmen and The Standells) and a local school friend named Richard Delvy.
Delvy saw value in publishing, promoting and recording and began a career of managing and producing surf music.
[2] Delvy later brought in guitarist Art Fisher who had played with The Bel-Airs during the recording of The Challengers third album On The Move.
Just months earlier, The Beach Boys released a vocal single called "Surfin' Safari".
This led to the creation of four more groups with members from The Challengers: The Surfriders, The Good Guys, The Clee-Shays and The De-Fenders all produced albums for these foreign markets.
[8] In addition, The Challengers produced some tracks for the car and hot rod music scene that was gaining popularity in the US on the heels of the surf craze.
They began recording more pop-oriented music, like an instrumental version of "Kicks" by Paul Revere & The Raiders, "Light My Fire" by The Doors, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E" from the TV show and many others.
In 1992 a local surf company owned by Brad Jennings (The Early Sixties Company) signed an exclusive contract with Richard Delvy to reproduce the Challengers band LP covers and Rick Griffin artwork for tee shirts and surf related products.
In 1994, after 24 years without new recordings, The Challengers reunited with some new members to release the album New Wave produced by band leader and founder Richard Delvy.
Richard Delvy died on February 6, 2010, ending his lifelong influence on music in the Los Angeles area.