The Darts

by Stewart MasonThe Darts were a one-off session band assembled by Bob Keane of Del-Fi Records to record a single album, Hollywood Drag, in early 1964. A cash-in on the emerging market for hot rod tunes exploited by albums like Capitol Records? Shut Down Volume One, Hollywood Drag is actually an odd mix of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass-style instrumentals and twangy surf guitar, with hot rod noises overdubbed on top. The complete list of participants is lost to history, but it?s confirmed that the Dick Dale-style lead guitar on Hollywood Drag was played by Glen Campbell, then less than a year away from replacing Brian Wilson in the touring lineup of the Beach Boys. Other Darts probably include Pat Vasquez and Lolly Vasquez (who would later form Redbone) on guitar and bass, Leon Russell on keyboards, Hal Blaine on drums and possibly guitarists Tommy Tedesco and David Gates. The market for hot rod tunes was short-lived, and a follow-up to Hollywood Drag never appeared.