Merrell Fankhauser was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and moved to California when he was 13 years old this move was to have a life changing effect on the teenager. Merrell went on to become one of the innovators of surf music enjoying success with his band The Impacts and also a hit album entitled Wipe Out. Merrell went on later in the sixties to branch out into psychedelic folk rock. Merrell has gained legendary international status throughout the field of rock music; his credits include over 250 songs published and released. Merrell has presented a number of television programmes over the years including California Music, Route 66 TV Live and in 2001, Merrell began hosting a music TV show called, "Tiki Lounge" that airs on the California Central Coast, Southern California, Hawaii, and parts of the East Coast.