Michael Faye, author, composer and long time rock and roller since the 60’s, is considered by many to be one of the driving forces of surf music in the USA as well as one of the true pioneers of rock and roll. The LA Times in 1963 called his guitar the “8th Wonder of the World”. Being the right hand collaborator and closest confident of rock legend, Dick Dale, it has been said by many that the two sound and play identical. Michael however, took the guitar style and sound to new heights unequaled and integrated it with the hits of the biggest names in Rock such as Elvis Presley, James Brown, Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry and Rod Stewart as well as fabulous guitar selections such as Miserlou, the theme from the movie Pulp Fiction.

His style and adaptations of music often kept him busy as a studio musician, but his real talent and stage presence was evident in live performances. Starting in an era when rock was in it’s infancy, Michael played the “circuits” of rock all through the 60’s often appearing with such greats as; Ricky Nelson, Jackie de Shannon, Dobie Grey, Johnny and Dorsey Burnett, Jan & Dean and Fabian. He starred two years in a row at the America Teen Age Fair and has filled several venues to capacity such as the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and the Hollywood Palladium. In 1964, Mayor Sam Yorty of Los Angeles gave Michael an award of merit for outstanding achievements in keeping the youths of Southern California off the streets and into a ballroom.

Michael was technically driven as well as artistically gifted. He was one of the experimenters with Leo Fender and the Fender amplifier research and development team in the early 60’s. Starting off by playing at local high schools and teen age functions, his sound and talent soon became a huge drawing power and rapidly emerged as one of Southern California’s top rock and roll bands.

His mother, Olive Faye, who was a veteran of show business was the first to give Michael guitar lessons. Never having formal lessons, he soon adapted the “play by ear system”. Michael Faye sought to create a sound with the electric guitar that would literally stun audiences. He was mesmerized by Duane Eddy and The Ventures, big guitar groups of the late 50’s.Together with Fred Herrera, his close friend who played bass, sax and was a gifted music major in school, they dedicated their hearts and soul to producing sounds and selections people wanted to hear. This was in the days before Hendrix and Clapton. To form a rock and roll band at this age during that period, was quite an accomplishment. Later joining the band was Alex Del Zoppo on keyboards. Both Herrera and Del Zoppo later went on to become the stars of the now Woodstock famous group, Sweetwater.

 At his very first concert from the moment the curtain opened, everybody knew that this was not just another guitar player, but a huge talent in the making and soon became the number one draw at high school and city sponsored dances. It was at that point that Michael met Dick Dale and the two quickly became as Dick himself said, (blood brothers), sharing the same sense of humor and often collaborating on each others projects. Michael quickly started down the experimentation road with the original research and development team of the Fender Guitar company to take the sound to new heights. From then on, the sky was the limit. Offers came rolling in for the services of Mike Faye & the Travelers. Numerous Southern California high schools, associations, rock n’ roll promoters, clubs and well to do university fraternity and sorority houses paid top dollar for an evening filled with the music of Mike Faye & the Travelers.

Rarely on the music scene in the USA, since the 60’s, the film “Pulp Fiction” with Travolta, opened the door for a whole new generation to discover the power and style of the guitar playing of Michael Faye and go back to the true roots of rock and roll. To continue, click on to “The Tahiti Experience”

Recognized as a guitar symbol, Michael appeared in several films always with his guitar.

Films and commercials 

Banyon – Film for Television
Green Acres – Television Series
Budweiser - Commercial
Tran Air Conditioning - Commercial