Merrell Fankhauser

November 13, 2026

KCOR RADIO GUEST

Hyperspace

Merrell Fankhauser has led one of the most diverse and interesting careers in music. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and moved to California when he was 13 years old. Merrell went on to become one of the innovators of surf music and psychedelic folk rock.

His travels from Hollywood to his 15 year jungle experience on the island of Maui have been documented in numerous music books and magazines in the United States and Europe. Merrell has gained legendary international status throughout the field of rock music; his credits include over 250 songs published and released. He is a multi-talented singer/songwriter and unique guitar player whose sound has delighted listeners for over 35 years.

In the early 60s, Merrell led the instrumental surf group The Impacts who had a hit with their album titled "WIPE OUT", which was reissued in 1994 on Del Fi Records in the United States and in 1995 on Repertoire Records in Germany. They returned in 1996 and 1997 with two stunning CDs titled "SURFIN 101" and "ETERNAL SURF". Their Surf Music crossed over into the new Millennium with the release of "SEX WAX & SURF"!

Upon moving to the high desert area of California in 1964, Merrell formed Merrell and the Exiles whose album titled "FAPARDOKLY" is one of the most sought after 60s psychedelic recordings. In the late 60s, Merrell led his group H.M.S. Bounty to several hits with their album "THINGS" which was released on Uni/Shamley Records.

Merrell joined forces with Jeff Cotton (aka Antenna Jimmy Semens) from Captain Beefheart's Band in 1970 to form the group MU. In 1971 their first album was released in the United States on Era/RTV Records and became a FM radio hit. It was also released on United Artists Records in 1974.

In 1973, Merrell and his group MU moved to the island of Maui to further their studies of the fabled Lost Continent of Mu or Lemuria. American Indian and Hawaiian legend says this continent existed some 11,500 years ago in the Pacific Ocean where the Hawaiian Islands now exist. Mu's second album, "END OF AN ERA" was recorded on the island of Maui in 1974. The recording was done in their jungle "studio house" and was engineered by ex-Quicksilver engineer, Barry Mayo. This music took on a more mystical, tropical feel. MU was home! This album finally came out in 1988 on Recklesss Records of London and San Francisco; and again, in an exquisite double CD package, on Sundazed Records of New York in 1997. These albums gained the attention of Billboard Magazine and reached the charts in England.

In 1975, after MU disbanded, Merrell began work on a group of songs for a solo album that described perfectly the feeling of his lifestyle in his jungle house beside a free-flowing stream in the Maui rainforest. These songs were released in 1976 by a small, independent Hawaiian label and was titled "The Maui Album".