Not long after The Nautiloids recorded "Nautiloid Reef" and "Nautiloid Surf," our group dissolved by virtue of being assimilated into other area groups. After about 1965, none of our original members had ever met or played together again, and I certainly had no knowledge whatsoever of my 'instro' songs as having been re-recorded or continually played by other bands throughout the world, beyond the days of long ago when they were originally recorded by our group, and when I had licensed them with A.S.C.A.P.
And so, needless to say, it was with considerable shock when I discovered on March 8, 2002, nearly 40 years after I had written the songs, and the initial recordings were made, that, not only had albums been produced with our original cuts on them, but that other groups had either re-recorded the songs on their own albums, or were apparently STILL regularly performing them at their gigs, keeping our music 'alive & well'.
I am now busily engaged in trying to piece together this remarkable puzzle, and to somehow, hopefully find my other, original, band members.
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to express a heartfelt "Thanks" and deep gratitude to all of those who have, in some way, kept our memory and sound alive. To The Waistcoats, des Mongols, Los Kogars, The Dactaris, to all those involved in assembling and releasing compilations, to the unknowns who put out "Signed, D.C.," to the various radio stations who have been playing the songs, and the band-groups for all these years, such as Sir Bald & The Wig-Outs, and The Boardwalkers, who continue to include the songs on their play-lists and to those, such as Phil Dirt, each and all of whom have maintained reviews on the web ... I can only say "Y'all have made me proud" and have astoundingly re-validated an event in my life from my distant past.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you ... and remember, "The Surf Shall Rise Again!"
Richard (Rick) Fulton
Founder, Composer/Arranger and Lead Guitarist of The Nautiloids
